Marriage Registration in Georgia — Step-by-Step Guide for International Couples

Georgia is one of the few countries where international couples can quickly and easily register a legally binding marriage — with minimal bureaucracy. No witnesses are required, no consular documents, no background checks. Two passports and 15 minutes at the House of Justice are all it takes. This article is a detailed step-by-step guide for couples from any country: from preparing your documents to legalizing your marriage back home.

Why Couples from Around the World Choose Georgia

Every year, thousands of international couples register their marriages in Georgia. The reasons are compelling:

• Visa-free entry for citizens of 95+ countries, including the US, EU, UK, Israel, and many more.
• Minimal documents required — only valid passports for both partners.
• Fast procedure — registration takes just 15-20 minutes.
• No witnesses needed — you can come as a couple.
• Georgia is a member of the Hague Convention, so an apostilled marriage is recognized in 180+ countries worldwide.
• Stunning locations for wedding photography — mountains, ancient fortresses, vineyards, and charming cities.

Step 1: Preparing Your Documents

One of the biggest advantages of registering in Georgia is the minimal paperwork. However, the exact documents depend on your personal situation.

First Marriage

• Valid passport for the groom (with sufficient remaining validity).
• Valid passport for the bride (with sufficient remaining validity).
• That is everything. No additional certificates or documents are required.

Second Marriage

• Valid passports for both partners.
• Divorce certificate from the previous marriage with an apostille and a certified translation into Georgian or English.
• If the divorce was finalized through a court — the court ruling with proof of legal effect, apostille, and translation.

Widowed

• Valid passports for both partners.
• Death certificate of the former spouse with an apostille and a certified translation.

Important: the apostille on documents from your home country must be obtained before traveling to Georgia. In the US, apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State; in the UK, by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Translations can be arranged either at home or in Tbilisi.

Step 2: Getting to Georgia

Georgia is well connected by air to major European and Middle Eastern hubs, with direct flights from many cities.

• Direct flights from major European cities (London, Paris, Vienna, Warsaw, Athens) to Tbilisi.
• Connections through Istanbul: Turkish Airlines operates frequent flights from dozens of international cities.
• Via Dubai or Doha: convenient if you want to combine your trip with a stopover in the Gulf.
• From Israel: direct flights from Tel Aviv to Tbilisi, approximately 2.5 hours.

Citizens of the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Israel, and most other countries do not need a visa to enter Georgia. A valid passport is sufficient for stays of up to one year.

Step 3: The Registration Procedure at the House of Justice

The House of Justice (Public Service Hall) is the government center where marriages are registered. Branches exist in Tbilisi, Batumi, and other Georgian cities. A particularly special option is the town of Sighnaghi (the City of Love), where the House of Justice operates around the clock, 24/7.

How Your Registration Day Unfolds

• You arrive at the House of Justice with your passports (plus additional documents if this is a second marriage).
• At the registration desk, an application form is completed — a staff member will assist you.
• You pay the government fee: 50 GEL (standard) or 100 GEL (express, same-day registration).
• With the express option, the ceremony takes place within 15-20 minutes.
• The registrar reads the official ceremony text, and you sign the documents.
• You receive your marriage certificate in Georgian — an official state document.

The minimum age for marriage is 18. No witnesses are required.

Step 4: Getting the Apostille

After registration, you need to obtain an apostille on your marriage certificate. This is done right there in the House of Justice.

• Apostille cost: 50 GEL (approximately $18).
• Processing time: 1-2 business days.
• The apostille certifies the document's authenticity for use abroad.
• An apostilled certificate is accepted in the US, UK, EU, Israel, Australia, and 180+ other countries.

Step 5: Legalizing Your Marriage at Home

Once you return to your home country, you will need to register the Georgian marriage certificate with your local authorities. The procedure is standard and straightforward.

• Obtain a certified translation of the marriage certificate into your local language.
• Have the translation notarized if required by your country.
• Submit the apostilled certificate and translation to your civil registry office (e.g., county clerk in the US, register office in the UK, Standesamt in Germany, or Misrad HaPnim in Israel).
• Provide: the Georgian certificate with apostille, certified translation, and passports of both spouses.
• The office will record the marriage in the national registry and, if needed, issue a local marriage certificate.

Processing time varies by country but is typically 1-4 weeks. Rejections are extremely rare.

Optimal 4-Day Trip Plan

• Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi, check into your hotel, explore the Old Town, meet your wedding coordinator.
• Day 2: Marriage registration at the House of Justice (morning), wedding photo session (afternoon), celebration dinner.
• Day 3: Pick up the apostille, excursion to Mtskheta, Kazbegi, or the Kakheti wine region.
• Day 4: Departure (or extend your stay — Georgia is absolutely worth it).

The minimum all-in budget for a couple is approximately $1,300, including flights from Europe, accommodation, and the registration package. This is a fraction of what a wedding costs in most Western countries — with incomparably more memorable experiences.

We have helped hundreds of international couples register their marriages in Georgia. We handle everything from document preparation to accompanying you at the House of Justice. Get in touch: +995 551 196 255, Telegram: t.me/elvoituk

What to Do If Documents Are Lost or Damaged

Travel can bring unexpected situations, and losing documents should not derail your plans. If your passport is lost or damaged while in Georgia, contact your country's embassy or consulate in Tbilisi immediately. They will issue an emergency travel document, but note that this temporary document typically cannot be used for marriage registration — you will need your original valid passport.

If a divorce certificate or death certificate is damaged, the situation can usually be resolved on the spot. Request a duplicate from your home country through a trusted contact and have it sent by courier service (DHL, FedEx), which takes 5-10 days. Tbilisi has certified translation bureaus that can handle the translation and notarization of the new copy.

Tip: Before your trip, make high-quality color scans of all documents and save them in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud). This will significantly speed up the replacement process if anything is lost.

Best Season for a Wedding in Georgia

Georgia is beautiful year-round, but each season creates a completely different atmosphere. May and June are the golden months: warm weather (72-82°F / 22-28°C), everything in bloom, green mountains, and long daylight hours perfect for photography. September and October bring the velvet season: soft light, vineyards turning gold and crimson, and the traditional rtveli (grape harvest) underway in Kakheti.

July and August are hot in the cities (95°F / 35°C), but wonderful in the mountains of Kazbegi and along the Batumi coastline. Winter suits intimate weddings in a snow-dusted Tbilisi. November and March offer low season with reduced prices on hotels and flights.

• May - June: the best choice for most couples, ideal weather and light
• September - October: velvet season, golden colors, wine harvest atmosphere
• July - August: excellent for mountain and seaside locations, hot in the city
• December - February: budget-friendly option, atmospheric winter Tbilisi
• November, March - April: the lowest prices, though rain is possible

Tbilisi or Sighnaghi: Where to Register

The House of Justice in Tbilisi is a large, modern center in the capital. Numerous staff members, a well-oiled procedure. After registration, you are immediately in a city with endless photo locations — Old Town, Bridge of Peace, Narikala Fortress. The apostille is obtained in the same building.

Sighnaghi offers a completely different atmosphere. A tiny hilltop town in Kakheti, officially the "City of Love." The House of Justice here operates 24/7. You can register your marriage at sunrise or midnight with a view of the Alazani Valley. More romantic, but about two hours from Tbilisi.

• Tbilisi: convenient logistics, many nearby locations, apostille on site, standard hours
• Sighnaghi: 24/7 registration, incredible romance, but farther from the airport
• Optimal plan: register in Tbilisi in the morning, drive to Sighnaghi in the evening for a photo session and dinner