In Qatar, getting married is not just a festive occasion but a strictly regulated legal procedure, especially when it involves foreigners. Everything here is governed by both religious and state norms, and in order for a wedding to be officially recognized, it is necessary to comply with established laws and requirements for marriage.
It doesn’t matter who is entering into the union – local citizens or foreigners – the same clear rules apply to everyone, regulated both by family law and the principles of Sharia. That is why future spouses must understand in advance what steps they need to take, which documents to prepare, and which authorities to contact to ensure their marriage in Qatar has legal validity.
Complete list of documents required to get married in Qatar
Preparing for marriage in Qatar is a serious procedure, regulated by family law and Sharia for Muslims, but it also applies to non-Muslims, since all marriages must be officially registered through the state or recognized religious institutions. To successfully enter into a marriage, it is necessary to gather a complete set of documents confirming the legal capacity, marital status, and health of both partners.
For registration through the family court in Qatar or the embassy, in the case of non-Muslims, the following are usually required:
- Passports of both partners;
- Passport-sized photographs;
- Birth certificates;
- Documents on marital status (a certificate proving you are not currently married, a divorce certificate, or a death certificate of a previous spouse)
- Marriage contract (for Muslims – specifying the mahr);
- Results of medical examinations and genetic tests to exclude blood marriages and transmissible diseases;
- Certificate of attendance at premarital counseling sessions;
- Notice of marriage 21 days prior to the ceremony.
Residents of Qatar must provide a residence permit, while foreigners (requirements for foreigners) need legalized documents through the embassy and notarized certificates. It should be noted that the speed of the marriage process in Qatar largely depends on how quickly you can gather all documents and complete checks with Qatari authorities. After completing all procedures, it is necessary to officially register a marriage certificate in Qatar to ensure your wedding has legal validity. Even with all documents prepared, the process of getting married in Qatar can take several weeks or months, especially for foreigners, making attention to detail and advance planning extremely important.
Marriage in Georgia for foreign couples
Official documents needed for marriage registration in Georgia
The long list of requirements for getting married in Qatar may have seemed intimidating – and understandably so, as registering a marriage in this country can really take a lot of time, effort, and patience. That’s why many couples look for suitable alternatives where the process is simpler, faster, and more comfortable. This is where Kate&Co Weddings agency comes in. We offer a unique opportunity for a wedding in Georgia, where the marriage registration process is as easy as possible.
To get married in Georgia, you will only need passports with notarized translations and two witnesses. And the best part: our agency can assist with this – we provide witnesses and fully organize the document preparation, so you don’t have to spend your time and energy on bureaucracy. With us, you receive full support at every stage: from preparing the documents to the ceremony itself. You will know exactly what the rules are for getting married in the country, and your wedding in Georgia will be beautiful, quick, and stress-free. With our help, your wedding will not only be legally official but truly unforgettable!
Our unforgettable moments
Frequently asked questions about getting married in Qatar
Step-by-step guide: how to register a marriage certificate in Qatar
If the thought of a marriage conducted abroad being invalid in Qatar worries you, don’t be concerned. A marriage concluded in Georgia is legally recognized worldwide after its legalization. This means you can come to Tbilisi and get married in as little as 24 hours if you want a quick registration, or organize a grand celebration at a beautiful location. We will help prepare all the documents, provide notarized translations, arrange witnesses, and organize your ceremony without unnecessary stress.
Now, how to ensure that your Georgian marriage has legal validity in Qatar. If you want your marriage certificate to be officially recognized abroad, it must be legalized. Note that Qatar is not a participant in the Hague Convention, so standard apostille procedures do not apply here. Instead, consular legalization is required, meaning the document must be certified through the Qatar Embassy in your country.
Wedding in the mountains of Georgia for foreign couples
Here is a step-by-step process for legalizing documents for use in Qatar:
- Notary Verification – obtaining a notary stamp in the country where the marriage was conducted.
- HRD Endorsement – certification at the Human Resource Department of your country.
- MEA Validation – confirmation from the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Qatar Embassy Attestation – official document certification at the Qatar consulate (consular legalization).
- MOFA Attestation – certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Qatari authorities after arrival in Qatar for full legal effect.
As you can see, it is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. At the same time, you avoid lengthy procedures, numerous medical tests, and bureaucratic hurdles in Qatar. You can get married quickly and beautifully in Georgia, and then simply go through consular legalization to have your marriage recognized abroad.
How Indian citizens can legally get married in Qatar
Indian citizens can register a wedding in Qatar through the Indian Embassy, for example, in Doha. This option is available provided that at least one of the future spouses holds Indian citizenship and a Qatar ID (residency visa).
Required documents:
- Passports and Qatar ID of both partners;
- Identity documents of parents (passport, Aadhaar, voter ID, etc.), notarized or certified at the embassy;
- If parents are unavailable – notarized copies of death certificates;
- Singleness/bachelorhood certificate from India, certified by the State Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs (Indian government authority, MEA, New Delhi);
- Five passport-sized photographs of each partner;
- Passports and Qatar ID of three witnesses – all must be Indian citizens.
If the second partner is a foreign national:
- Singleness certificate or affidavit issued by a competent authority in their country;
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their embassy in Qatar;
- At least one of the witnesses must have the same nationality as the foreign partner.
Wedding photo shoot in Tbilisi for foreign couples
Step-by-step procedure:
- Book an appointment via the Indian Embassy website.
- Submit the document package and complete three mandatory forms: Miscellaneous Service form, Marriage Declaration form, Notice of Intended Marriage form.
- The embassy posts a notice of the upcoming marriage on its bulletin board for 30 days.
- The couple publishes announcements in a Qatari newspaper and a major English-language newspaper in India (or the foreign partner’s country).
- After one month, submit the original newspaper clippings to the embassy.
- Once documents are verified, a registration date is scheduled.
The process is quite lengthy – just waiting for the publications takes a month, not counting the preparation and certification of documents. Therefore, many couples who want to complete formalities faster consider an alternative – getting married abroad with subsequent Qatar Embassy Attestation, which allows the marriage to be recognized in Qatar without going through all local bureaucratic procedures.
What would you like?
How Filipino citizens can legally get married in Qatar
Filipino citizens with a Qatar resident visa can get married in Qatar in two ways – either through the Qatari Family Court, which operates according to Sharia law (Islamic states), or through the Philippine Embassy in Qatar.
Option 1: Marriage registration at the Family Court of Qatar
This is suitable for Muslims, including Filipinos living in Qatar. To get married in Qatar, you will need:
- Valid passports and Qatar ID of both partners;
- Birth certificates;
- Medical certificate confirming absence of infectious and hereditary diseases;
- For women – divorce certificate or death certificate of a previous husband, if applicable;
- Presence of the bride’s guardian and two Muslim witnesses.
The process can take time, as compliance with all Family Court requirements and Islamic states norms is necessary.
Official marriage registration at the Wedding Hall in Georgia for foreign couples
Option 2: Marriage through the Philippine Embassy in Qatar
If at least one of the partners is a Filipino citizen, the marriage can be conducted directly at the embassy. The steps include:
- Schedule an appointment with the consular section.
- Submit passports and Qatar ID of both partners.
- Obtain a Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR) from the PSA in the Philippines, certified by the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Prepare 2–3 witnesses with passports and Qatar ID.
- Publish a notice of the upcoming wedding on the embassy’s bulletin board (the usual waiting period is 10 days).
- On the scheduled day, sign the marriage certificate in the presence of witnesses.
Getting married in the Philippines
Filipinos residing in Qatar can also register their marriage in their home country, but additional steps are required for recognition in Qatar – mandatory consular legalization at the Qatar Embassy in the Philippines. Considering all options, Georgia remains the easiest way to get married in the shortest possible time. Marriage registration here can take just one day, and the procedure is extremely simple, even for those planning to officially formalize their relationship.
After the ceremony, you will receive an official document, which, once legalized, will be recognized in any country, including Qatar. This means that instead of lengthy bureaucratic hurdles, you can enjoy the moment – whether a romantic ceremony in the mountains or a stylish wedding in Tbilisi, Batumi, or Sighnaghi. Kate & Co Weddings will take care of every detail: preparing and translating documents, organizing the ceremony, and selecting the location, so that your day is exactly as you imagined.
