Saudi Arabia or Georgia? Finding the easiest way to marry as an expat

Legalizing your union: options

How to legalize the union and available options depending on religion and status:

• If you are foreigners and Muslims (or one/both have converted to Islam): entering into a marriage in the Sharia court is the primary path; the procedure is similar to that for citizens but with the additional requirement of approval from the Ministry of Interior and document verification. After registration, you receive an official marriage certificate.
• If you are non-Muslims and do not plan to convert to Islam: the main option is registration through your country’s embassy (consular/embassy registration). An important detail: not all embassies in Saudi Arabia perform marriages – only certain consulates offer this service. Check in advance with your embassy.
• Translations and international legalization: To use the marriage certificate abroad, an official translation and legalization according to the destination country’s requirements are usually needed. Therefore, planning the translation of the marriage certificate and further legalization in advance is essential.

Official marriage registration in Georgia for foreign couples

Challenges for Non-Muslim couples

Saudi Arabia is introducing digital services, but in essence, family law there is still based on Sharia – these are not cosmetic updates, but strict rules of conduct and formalities. For non-Muslims and mixed couples, this means that common Western “life hacks” – cohabitation, open relationships, pregnancy outside marriage – will not work here and can lead to serious legal consequences: from fines and visa annulment to deportation and administrative measures. You should not assume that “things will sort themselves out later” – in such cases, it is better to have official registration and clear documentation. Before traveling, make sure to check with your embassy whether it provides marriage registration services, and plan ahead with sufficient time and legal support: trying to go “fast and paperwork-free” in the kingdom is risky.

If you do not want to gamble with the law and your emotional energy, there is a real and simple alternative: Georgia. This country has the simplest rules for foreign marriage registration, and many couples choose it precisely because they can get married quickly and with minimal bureaucracy. Our team – wedding agency Kate&Co Weddings – helps organize weddings in Georgia: from preparing the full set of documents to official registration and certificate translation. We guide clients step by step, so you can legalize a relationship as quickly as Georgian law allows – stress-free and preserving the romance of the moment.

FAQ

What are the requirements for a marriage between a Saudi citizen and a foreigner?

To marry a foreign national, a Saudi citizen must first obtain official approval from the Ministry of Interior (MOI). This is a highly regulated process with strict eligibility requirements. Applicants must generally meet specific age criteria (typically, a Saudi man must be between 40 and 65 years old, while a Saudi woman must be at least 25), undergo background checks, and complete the mandatory premarital medical screening. In addition, if the Saudi citizen is already married, approval for a second marriage to a foreign national may require official medical evidence confirming that the first wife is infertile or suffers from a serious medical condition.

Can non-Muslim couples officially get married in Saudi Arabia?

No. Civil (secular) and non-Muslim marriages are not registered by Saudi Sharia courts. Under Saudi law, domestic marriages are governed by Islamic law. In some cases, non-Muslim expatriates may be able to marry through the embassy or consulate of their home country in Riyadh or Jeddah. However, as of 2026, an increasing number of foreign diplomatic missions have discontinued providing marriage registration services in Saudi Arabia, requiring their citizens to marry either in their home country or in a third country instead.

Which categories of Saudi citizens are prohibited from marrying foreigners?

For reasons related to national security and public policy, Saudi regulations prohibit certain categories of citizens from marrying foreign nationals. These generally include:

• Ministers, senior government officials (Grade 14 and Grade 15), and employees of the Royal Court and the Council of Ministers.
• Members of the judiciary, the Shura Council, and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including both diplomatic and administrative personnel.
• Personnel serving in military and security sectors, including the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Security, and General Intelligence, whether in military or civilian positions.
• Managing directors of joint-stock companies and students studying abroad under government scholarship programs.

Do the new laws simplify the marriage registration process for foreigners in Saudi Arabia?

Recent legal reforms have modernized certain aspects of Saudi family law and introduced digital government services that have made some administrative procedures more efficient. However, marriage registration involving foreign nationals may still require government approvals, document verification, and lengthy processing times. Although the system has improved, the procedure remains considerably more complex than getting married in Georgia.

Is a premarital medical examination mandatory before getting married in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Completing the official Premarital Medical Test is mandatory for every couple intending to marry in Saudi Arabia. The examination must be carried out at an accredited government medical facility and includes screening for infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C, as well as certain inherited genetic disorders. The results are submitted electronically to the Ministry of Justice before the authorized marriage registrar (Ma’zoon) can officially register the marriage.

Why do many international couples choose Georgia as an alternative wedding destination?

Georgia offers one of the fastest and most straightforward marriage registration procedures for foreign nationals. Expatriates, Saudi citizens, couples of different nationalities, and interfaith couples can all legally marry in Georgia. With the assistance of Kate&Co Weddings, the entire process can be completed in as little as 24 hours, without the need for special government approvals. After legalization, your Georgian marriage certificate can be used officially in Saudi Arabia and in many other countries around the world.