Georgia vs Kuwait: Where it’s easier to marry a foreigner

Quick summary (Georgia vs Kuwait)

If you need to make a fast decision, here is a concise comparison of the two destinations:

1. Registration speed. In Georgia, the entire process takes from 1 to 3 business days, whereas in Kuwait it can stretch from 3 to 5 weeks.
2. Document package. For Georgia, foreigners only need a valid passport. In Kuwait, a “No Objection Certificate” from the embassy and additional official documents are mandatory.
3. Medical requirements. Georgia does not require any medical examinations, while in Kuwait a medical test for genetic and infectious diseases is a compulsory step.
4. Religious aspect. Georgia offers a fully secular and universal procedure; in Kuwait, marriage registration rules largely depend on religious affiliation and Sharia law.
5. Witness requirements. In Georgia, you do not need to find witnesses – Kate&Co Weddings agency provides them. In Kuwait, you must bring two male witnesses on your own.
6. Residency requirements. Georgia has no minimum stay requirement before the wedding; in Kuwait, resident status and possession of a Civil ID significantly affect the complexity of the process.
7. Cost transparency. In Georgia, pricing is fixed and clear in advance; in Kuwait, hidden expenses may arise for additional certificates, translations, and embassy visits.
8. Employer involvement. In Kuwait, permission from a sponsor or employer may be required in certain cases; in Georgia, only the mutual consent of the couple is needed to get married.

Wedding for a foreign couple by a lake in Georgia

Who this guide is for

This guide is designed primarily for international couples and expats living and working in the Middle East (Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia) who are facing the need to legalize their relationship. If you find yourself in one of the following situations, this article can save you weeks of bureaucratic searching and frustration:

• You are a couple of different nationalities or religious backgrounds, and the laws of your country of residence impose restrictions on your union.
• You need to officially register your marriage quickly for the purpose of obtaining a family visa or insurance coverage.
• You value your time and are not willing to waste it on endless translations, medical tests, and visits to consulates.
• You plan to use your marriage certificate in the UAE or Europe in the future and are looking for the simplest legalization route.

The team at Kate&Co Weddings agency created this guide to help you objectively weigh all the pros and cons and choose a path that brings you joy – not a headache.

Why Georgia is often the simpler choice for international couples

Georgia has become a true lifeline for foreigners who have encountered bureaucratic dead ends in other countries. Compared to the rigid requirements of the Gulf states, the process here feels remarkably straightforward. Below are the key reasons why international couples so often choose this destination:

• Minimal paperwork for foreigners. To begin the process, you don’t need to collect stacks of certificates confirming marital status or residency, nor undergo complex medical examinations. To get married in Georgia for foreigners, in most cases, only a valid passport and a properly prepared translation are required.
• Fast civil registration. While waiting periods in other countries can stretch into months, Georgian law allows marriages to be registered within just a few days – and with the support of our agency’s specialists, it’s even possible to get married within 24 hours.
• Straightforward process with translation/witness support. Legal formalities in Georgia essentially come down to two things: a high-quality passport translation and the presence of two witnesses. You don’t need to search for certified translation offices or ask friends to fly in just to sign documents. We can take care of everything for you.
• Legalisation options (apostille/attestation) for use abroad. The issued marriage certificate is easy to legalize for use anywhere in the world. Whether you need an apostille for Europe or full consular legalization for the UAE, simply turn to us – we will ensure your documents are prepared correctly for any country.

The core Georgia marriage requirements for foreigners come down to legal entry into the country (an entry stamp) and properly prepared documents. As you can see, the requirements for foreigners getting married in Georgia are truly minimal.

Wedding photoshoot on a runway in Batumi for a foreign couple

Why Kuwait can be more difficult for marrying a foreigner

While Georgia offers a streamlined path, marriage registration in Kuwait is a multi-layered process that requires in-depth knowledge of local legislation and substantial paperwork preparation. The core Kuwait marriage to foreigner requirements include not only valid passports and visas, but also mandatory medical examinations. Below are the key factors that make the procedure in Kuwait significantly more demanding:

• Embassy “No Objection” / single-status requirements. Foreign nationals are required to personally obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or a single-status certificate from their embassy. Please note that the Kuwait embassy no objection certificate for marriage must be officially attested by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the process can continue.
• Possible sponsor/employer approvals (case-dependent). In certain situations, Kuwaiti law requires additional approvals. For example, if the groom is a member of the military, he must provide formal permission to marry from his employer. For some employment categories, confirmation of status from the social insurance authorities may also be required.
• Arabic translations and multiple stamps. All foreign documents (birth certificates, embassy certificates, divorce decrees) must be translated into Arabic and pass through a full legalization chain. Moreover, Kuwait’s Family Law is officially available only in Arabic, meaning that for any interaction with the court or the Ministry of Justice, you may need a professional interpreter.
• Religion/guardian/witness rules may apply. If the marriage is conducted under Sharia law, strict religious regulations come into force. A Muslim woman is not permitted to marry a non-Muslim man. In addition, the presence of two male witnesses and the bride’s legal guardian – her father or another close male relative – is mandatory.

The entire process in Kuwait typically takes between 3 and 5 weeks, and even a minor documentation error can result in significant delays. This is precisely why many couples choose Georgia instead, where bureaucratic hurdles for foreigners are minimal, making marriage registration both fast and predictable.