Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are GCC countries within close range. Citizens and expats in these nations often want to know the trends around them. A new development in Saudi Arabia has prompted a change in the way that legal documents are handled.

In April this year, Saudi Arabia made a significant move by joining the Apostille convention in the Netherlands. Bahrain entered this convention in 2013. This article will discuss what this development means for expat couples.

Significance of the new Saudi Agreement

When it became a signatory to the Convention of 5 October 1961, Saudi Arabia was in effect saying that it will no longer request validation for certificates and documents with the Apostille sign. Over the past years, Saudi Arabia had made it a standard for couples to pay some legal fees to have their foreign documents revalidated.

With the new law, documents will be accepted so long as they have the apostille stamp. This will hasten the time that people spend at the embassies.

Concluding on the current Saudi HCCH Apostille Convention

The new agreement still has some months to go before it takes full effect. While we wait for that time, we can reflect on the many benefits that people can gain from this mode of verifying documents. The speed at which documents are released will become improved. People will also save on the legalization fees.

Since Bahrain is a part of the Apostille nation, there are many positive prospects for couples and expats in the country. We will wait to see what those are.

Please note that we do not have a lot of information on what this means for couples who marry in Apostille countries outside of Saudi Arabia. However, if new and vital information arises, we will keep you posted.

Due to their proximity to each other, Bahrain citizens and expats might consider holding their marriages in Dubai. It will, however, be wise of them to consider the governmental requirements for marriage in this nation. 

Documentation and authentication are critical features for a successful Dubai marriage. There are approved channels through which these matters can be addressed and they will be discussed in the course of this article. The article will also examine why Georgia, Seychelles, and the Online wedding routes are unique.

CAN COUPLES OF MIXED RELIGIONS AND NATIONALITIES GET MARRIED IN A DUBAI COURT?

Often, the question of marriage for couples with mixed religions arises. Here are important facts to note: 

1. Muslims are only allowed to get married to their fellow Muslims according to the precepts of Sharia law.
2. A Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman, but a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a non-Muslim man.
3. A Muslim woman can only get married to a non-Muslim man after the individual has converted to the Islamic religion and shown evidence to that effect.

When it is about nationality, foreigners who are residents in Dubai may have to submit a document from their consulate which shows that their nationals are allowed to marry foreigners. Dubai men and women can marry foreigners who have valid resident permits and share the same Islamic religion.

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR A COURT MARRIAGE IN DUBAI

To get married in Dubai, some important documents are required and these include:

1. The resident permit of at least one of the persons getting married
2. Passports
3. A pre-marriage medical examination certificate
4. Divorce decree or death certificate of a former couple.

In addition to the above-stated, the consent of the bride must be obtained and there should be two male witnesses who will stand-in for the bride.

GOOD ALTERNATIVES FOR BAHRAIN COUPLES WHO WANT A DUBAI COURT MARRIAGE

Court marriage in Dubai can be substituted with other marriage options. Georgia, Seychelles, and Online weddings are valid alternatives. Georgia and Seychelles do not have stiff laws that might limit people who desire to get married. 

Online wedding is another great alternative for people who do not live in Dubai. The certificate obtained is just as authentic as the one that is gotten through the physical route.

If you wish to learn more about Georgia, Seychelles, or the online wedding option that is available to Bahrain expats, do well to consult our wedding team who will be happy to guide you.

Given that the embassies might differ, getting married in Bahrain is quite challenging if you are from different nationalities. It requires a great deal of procedures and paperwork, which typically takes time.

In this article we shed light on why an easy wedding in Seychelles might be the answering you are looking for as a Bahrain couple.

Marriage in Bahrain

Getting married in Bahrain is super difficult if you belong to different nationalities, given that the embassies would be different too. It involves so many processes and documentation, which usually takes time. Also, if one of the partners is Muslim; the other has to also convert to Islam before they can get married. In a case where the non-Muslim partner is not willing to convert to Muslim, they can both have a destination wedding in Seychelles.

Easy Wedding in Seychelles

Seychelles is one of the easiest places to get married because;

• The wedding license from Seychelles is internationally recognized,
• Wedding in Seychelles can be completed with minimum documents,
• Seychelles is breathtakingly picturesque making it a dream wedding destination. These and many more are the benefits you will get when you have your wedding in Seychelles.
• It’s not mandatory in Seychelles to mention your religion in a wedding certificate.
• Seychelles is a visa-free country but a visitor’s permit may be obtained upon arrival at the Seychelles International Airport.

The requirements for the visitor’s permit include the following;

• Your Passports, valid at least 6 months after the estimated departure date,
• A valid return or onward flight tickets for the duration of the visit,
• Confirmed accommodation, e.g. hotel booking, hotel vouchers.

To conclude on easy wedding in Seychelles for Bahrain couple

As a Bahrain couple, Seychelles is the best location for your wedding. All you need to do is contact us and we will assist you with everything you need. We will also help with all your paperwork and documentations. This include getting you your marriage license. It will only take a few days.

Do you have anyone in Bahrain going through similar situation? Feel free to share this information with them so they will know they can have an easy wedding in Seychelles.

This post will go into your options if you wish to get married in UAE while on a visit visa. However, because laws change all the time, we always recommend that every couple research the country’s marriage laws and the best possible route to getting married.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW REGARDING GETTING MARRIED IN UAE ON A VISIT VISA

Both Muslims and non-Muslims who are on visitor visas can register for marriage at the sharia court. Moreover, couples need to contact their respective embassies to find all the necessary information under the Foreign Marriage Act. The requirements for marrying on a visit visa can vary from nationality to nationality.

REQUIREMENTS TO MARRY IN DUBAI ON A VISIT VISA

Dubai, like other Islamic countries, follows Sharia law, which allows Sharia courts to legalize marriages. Muslim visitors who are on a visiting visa are unable to apply for a sharia court marriage. A marriage certificate in Islam is essentially a contract that protects the rights of both the husband and the bride.

A non-Muslim woman may marry a Muslim man, but she must be of any book religion. Before marrying a Muslim woman, a non-Muslim man must first convert to Islam.

We strongly advise non-Muslims to seek advice from their respective embassies. They will be able to obtain all of the information they need to marry in the UAE and comply with the regulations.

CONCLUDING MARRIAGE IN UAE ON VISIT VISA

These are some of the basic rules and conditions you must meet in order to marry in Dubai while on a visit visa. You can find all of the detailed conditions and rules by visiting your respective embassy.

If you need assistance with your case, please let us know in the comments section below. We’ll contact you as soon as possible.