Getting Married in Georgia: The Complete Guide for Foreigners (2026)

Georgia is one of the easiest countries in the world to get married as a foreigner. No residency requirement. No waiting period. Both partners can be foreign nationals from different countries. You can walk into a Public Service Hall on a Monday morning and walk out married by lunchtime. Try doing that in Germany or France.

This combination of simplicity and international recognition has made Georgia a genuine destination for couples who face bureaucratic nightmares in their home countries — different nationalities, different religions, same-sex-hostile home countries, or just people who want to skip the six-month notice period their embassy demands. Georgia doesn't care about any of that. Two consenting adults with valid passports? Done.

But "easy" doesn't mean "no preparation." There are specific documents you need, translation requirements, apostille processes, and a few gotchas that can cost you a wasted trip. This guide covers every step — from what to bring to what to do after you've said yes.

Why People Get Married in Georgia

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why — because Georgia's marriage system is genuinely unusual, and understanding why couples come here helps you plan better.

Georgia recognizes civil marriages between any two people of opposite sex who are at least 18 years old. Both partners can be foreign nationals. They can be from different countries. They can practice different religions or no religion at all. Neither partner needs to be a resident of Georgia or have any prior connection to the country.

Documents You Need

This is where most people get tripped up. The document requirements are straightforward, but if you show up missing something, you'll lose a day — or an entire trip. Here's exactly what you need:

About Passport Translation

If your passport has personal data transliterated in the Latin alphabet (which nearly all modern passports do), you do not need a Georgian translation of the passport itself. This is a common misconception that agencies exploit to charge you for unnecessary translation services. The PSH will accept your passport as-is.

However, if your passport is exclusively in a non-Latin script (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic without Latin transliteration, etc.), you'll need a certified Georgian translation.

About the "Certificate of No Impediment" (CNI)

Here's the good news: Georgia does not require a Certificate of No Impediment or "Certificate of Freedom to Marry" from your embassy. Many countries require this, and getting one can take weeks or months. Georgia simply asks you to declare your status in the application. You're responsible for the truthfulness of this declaration.

Where to Register

Marriage registration is handled by the Public Service Hall (PSH) — the same government building where you'd get a residence permit or other civil documents. There are PSH branches throughout Georgia, but the main ones for marriage are:

The Tbilisi PSH is the building that looks like a giant glass mushroom on the riverbank — you can't miss it. It's architecturally striking and, unusually for a government building, actually pleasant to be in. Go to the civil acts registration counter on the ground floor.

The Step-by-Step Process

Here's exactly what happens on the day, assuming you have all your documents ready:

Costs Breakdown

One of the best things about getting married in Georgia: the baseline cost is literally zero. But most people need additional services. Here's a realistic breakdown:

The Apostille: Making It Count Internationally

Your Georgian marriage certificate is a beautiful piece of paper. But to make it legally recognized in your home country, you almost certainly need an apostille. This is a standardized international certification (under the Hague Apostille Convention) that authenticates the document for use abroad.

Georgia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means your apostilled Georgian marriage certificate will be accepted by all 125+ member countries without further legalization. This is a huge advantage — some countries that offer easy marriage aren't Hague Convention members, which means their certificates need embassy-by-embassy legalization.

How to Get the Apostille

The apostille is obtained at the same Public Service Hall where you register the marriage. You can apply for it immediately after receiving your marriage certificate. Depending on how fast you need it:

What Happens After You're Married

The ceremony (or paperwork) is done. Now what? Depending on your situation, there are several things to consider.

Name Change

Georgian law allows either partner to take the other's surname, combine surnames, or keep their own. This is handled during the registration process. However, changing your name on a Georgian marriage certificate doesn't automatically change your passport. You'll need to update your passport through your home country's embassy or consulate — a process that varies wildly by nationality.

Residence Benefits

Marriage to a Georgian citizen gives you grounds to apply for a temporary residence permit. This is one of the most common reasons expats formalize their relationship. The marriage-based residence permit:

• Is valid for 1 year initially, renewable
• Costs 300 GEL (standard processing) or 550 GEL (expedited)
• Requires proof of genuine relationship (the government does check)
• After 5 years of marriage + residence, you can apply for permanent residence
• After 5 years of marriage, you can apply for Georgian citizenship (with conditions)

Registering at Home

Your Georgian marriage is legally valid from the moment it's registered. But to use it in your home country — for tax purposes, immigration, insurance, inheritance — you'll typically need to register it with your home country's authorities. The process usually involves:

1. Getting the apostilled Georgian marriage certificate
2. Getting a certified translation into your home country's language
3. Presenting these to your country's embassy in Georgia (or to civil authorities when you return)
4. Some countries require you to register the marriage within a specific timeframe

Check with your embassy before the wedding. Some countries have specific requirements about documentation format, or may want you to notify them in advance. Sorting this out after the fact is always harder.

Church Weddings

Georgia is deeply Orthodox Christian, and church weddings are a significant part of the culture. If you want a Georgian Orthodox church wedding, here's what you should know:

A church wedding is not legally binding on its own — you still need the civil registration at PSH. Many couples do the legal paperwork first, then have the church ceremony separately, which is exactly how most Georgians do it too.

Agency vs. Doing It Yourself

There's an entire industry of marriage agencies in Georgia targeting foreigners. Are they worth it?

Honestly? For most couples, the DIY route is perfectly fine. The PSH is foreigner-friendly, the process is straightforward, and you'll save a significant amount. Agencies are worth considering if: you have complex documentation (multiple divorces, documents in unusual languages, non-Hague Convention countries), you have zero tolerance for bureaucratic uncertainty, or if you want a full wedding-planning package including ceremony venues and photographers.

Special Situations

Both Partners Are Foreign Nationals

Completely fine. Georgia makes no distinction between Georgian-foreign couples and foreign-foreign couples. The same documents and process apply. This is actually one of Georgia's biggest selling points — many countries make it extremely difficult for two foreigners to marry within their borders.

Different Nationalities, Different Religions

Civil marriage in Georgia is non-religious. The PSH doesn't ask about or care about your religious affiliation. This makes Georgia ideal for interfaith couples who face legal barriers at home — particularly couples from countries where interfaith civil marriage is complicated or impossible.

One Partner Can't Travel to Georgia

Both partners must be physically present at the PSH for registration. There is no proxy marriage option in Georgia. If one partner can't make the trip, you'll need to find another solution or reschedule.

Minors

The legal marriage age in Georgia is 18. In exceptional circumstances, a court may allow marriage from age 16, but this requires a court order and parental consent. This provision is rarely used and increasingly scrutinized.

Planning Your Trip

If you're coming to Georgia specifically to get married, here's a realistic timeline:

If you're doing everything same-day (express apostille + translation), you could theoretically fly in on Day 1, get married and apostilled on Day 2, and fly out on Day 3. But Georgia is worth more than a transactional visit. Spend a few days. Explore Tbilisi's neighborhoods. Have a proper Georgian feast. Celebrate.

Finding Witnesses

You need two witnesses present at the signing. They don't need to be Georgian citizens — anyone with a valid ID document works. If you're traveling without friends or family:

• Ask your hotel/guesthouse: Staff are often willing to help, and they've likely done it before
• Expat communities: There are active expat Facebook groups and Telegram channels in Tbilisi where people regularly help with this
• Your agency: If you're using one, they'll arrange witnesses
• Fellow travelers: Hostels and coworking spaces are full of friendly people

Most people find this easier than expected. Georgians are genuinely hospitable, and many locals consider being a marriage witness a fun experience, not a chore.

Marriage and Tax Implications

Getting married in Georgia can have tax implications depending on your situation:

What About Divorce?

Nobody wants to think about this on a marriage guide, but practical people plan for all scenarios. If a marriage registered in Georgia needs to be dissolved:

• Mutual consent: Both parties can file for divorce at the PSH. If there are no minor children and no property disputes, the divorce is granted in 1 month. Cost: similar to marriage registration.
• Contested divorce: Requires going through the Georgian court system. This is more complex, more expensive, and takes longer. Legal representation is strongly recommended.
• Divorcing abroad: You can also divorce through your home country's courts, even if you were married in Georgia. The apostilled marriage certificate will be needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions