Getting Married in Armeni
Marriage in Armenia is similar to most Western countries. It is forbidden to marry if you are already wed, related to the one you are marrying (including cousins and adoptive families), or if one party is recognized by the courts to be incapacitated. Furthermore, any property acquired after legal marriage is subject to being split equally should you part ways.
For a legal marriage to take place, you will need to visit the registry office and the registration offices of the Ministry of Justice of the RA. Those without Armenian residency can be issued a temporary residence and complete the process at the registry office, if deemed necessary.
The whole process takes between 10 and 15 days, usually. The official range is from 10 to 90 days. It is, however, unlikely to exceed 20 days.
Documents Needed for the State Registration of Marriage
The joint statement of both parties is required within the registry office, where you choose whether you keep your surname, hyphenate both parties’, or change either one to match their partner’s. You will need identification papers, as well as documents indicating that you are either unmarried or have successfully and legally ended your last marriage. Divorce papers, death certificates, court invalidation, and such others would all be necessary to prove your unmarried status.
Since Armenia is considered a secular country, only a state registration is required. There is no need to involve the Church or other religious parties.
Since Armenia is considered a secular country, only a state registration is required. There is no need to involve the Church or other religious parties.
In essence, make sure to have:
-Valid passport with notarized translation
-Papers from your respective embassies/consulates/country’s government bodies that state you are not currently married. If you have dual citizenship, you might be asked for a similar document from both countries. Generally, this requires an apostille as well. Those from certain countries (outside Europe, US, etc.), might be required to first have these documents verified at the Armenian consulate in the given country
-Documents from the Ministry of Justice, allowing the marriage to proceed
-Papers from your respective embassies/consulates/country’s government bodies that state you are not currently married. If you have dual citizenship, you might be asked for a similar document from both countries. Generally, this requires an apostille as well. Those from certain countries (outside Europe, US, etc.), might be required to first have these documents verified at the Armenian consulate in the given country
-Documents from the Ministry of Justice, allowing the marriage to proceed
Marriage between Non-Citizens/Foreign Nationals
In order for one to legally get married in Armenia without citizenship/residency, they would need to go through a few steps. This is also the case when one partner holds citizenship while the other does not. What steps should you be taking?
-Make sure to grab the document stating you are not married already from your local embassy/consulate, or in some cases, from your respective countries. This process should cost 20k AMD, though it might differ from country to country.
-Get your passport translated and notarized if you do not have an Armenian special passport (10-year visa). This can cost between 5000-15000 AMD. US citizens need to make an appointment with the embassy, mark as notarial and go in for all the documents.
-You will need to pay a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once you have all the necessary documents and get your document stating you are free to wed stamped. Be aware that you only have 2 hours between 10 and 12 on weekdays, and they are closed on Wednesdays. You will need to go to the pay machine first or process payment from Vivacell down the street. Each stamp costs 5000 AMD. Keep the receipt. Processing the forms filled out here will take around 2-3 days, though it may be done in one day as well.
Note: One of you will need to have Armenian residency to pay by machine, with a Social ID number. If neither are residents, you will need to wire the money through your bank to the account number supplied at the MFA.
-Apply in writing to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. To register your request, they will need to see your passports and receive copies, along with notarized translations of each foreign passport. You will also need the stamped documents that you are free to wed. It is good to have photocopies of all documents on you when you visit, just in case extra copies are needed. The ministry is located on Halabyan Street and is open on weekdays only, 10:30-12 and 3-4:30 only. You will get a slip to head up to the 12th floor. You pick a date where you will pick up the approved documents from the ministry and go to the state registry to have the official ceremony.
Note: Approval is only for that single day that you picked. You cannot decide to go another day instead.
-In order to receive your marriage certificate validation in 2 days, you can pay 150,000. To receive in 5 days, the fee is 120,000. If you can wait 10 days, it is free. If one of you is a citizen, it can be done sooner, for free.
-Finally, the big day is here. You will head to the registry closest to your listed address and schedule a time slot for your ceremony. Passport copies will be required here. You will need two witnesses and 3000 AMD for the booklet. The registry, also known as a Wedding Palace, is open 10-5, Monday to Friday. State registration of marriage costs 25,000 AMD (divorce would cost you 120,000 AMD)
-Make sure to grab the document stating you are not married already from your local embassy/consulate, or in some cases, from your respective countries. This process should cost 20k AMD, though it might differ from country to country.
-Get your passport translated and notarized if you do not have an Armenian special passport (10-year visa). This can cost between 5000-15000 AMD. US citizens need to make an appointment with the embassy, mark as notarial and go in for all the documents.
-You will need to pay a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once you have all the necessary documents and get your document stating you are free to wed stamped. Be aware that you only have 2 hours between 10 and 12 on weekdays, and they are closed on Wednesdays. You will need to go to the pay machine first or process payment from Vivacell down the street. Each stamp costs 5000 AMD. Keep the receipt. Processing the forms filled out here will take around 2-3 days, though it may be done in one day as well.
Note: One of you will need to have Armenian residency to pay by machine, with a Social ID number. If neither are residents, you will need to wire the money through your bank to the account number supplied at the MFA.
-Apply in writing to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. To register your request, they will need to see your passports and receive copies, along with notarized translations of each foreign passport. You will also need the stamped documents that you are free to wed. It is good to have photocopies of all documents on you when you visit, just in case extra copies are needed. The ministry is located on Halabyan Street and is open on weekdays only, 10:30-12 and 3-4:30 only. You will get a slip to head up to the 12th floor. You pick a date where you will pick up the approved documents from the ministry and go to the state registry to have the official ceremony.
Note: Approval is only for that single day that you picked. You cannot decide to go another day instead.
-In order to receive your marriage certificate validation in 2 days, you can pay 150,000. To receive in 5 days, the fee is 120,000. If you can wait 10 days, it is free. If one of you is a citizen, it can be done sooner, for free.
-Finally, the big day is here. You will head to the registry closest to your listed address and schedule a time slot for your ceremony. Passport copies will be required here. You will need two witnesses and 3000 AMD for the booklet. The registry, also known as a Wedding Palace, is open 10-5, Monday to Friday. State registration of marriage costs 25,000 AMD (divorce would cost you 120,000 AMD)
Tips as Stated by Other Repats
While the official steps are easy to remember, there are some little nuances that repats and foreigners getting married in Armenia have noticed. Here are some tips to make the process a touch easier.
-If you plan an atheist wedding, you will need to have someone from ZAGS present to officiate
-Each region has its own ZAGS. Go to the one in your area
-Spanish citizens will need to obtain their single status apostilled document from Spain before coming to Armenia because of a lack of embassy
-The Ministry of Justice is generally very good at answering any questions you may have in the process
-The lineups at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive your stamp are very long on Mondays and Thursdays. It might be better to visit on a Tuesday or Friday. It is better to arrive at 10 am to avoid lines in general
-At the MFA, to fill out the forms and send in for processing, stand in the left line. To pick up your documents once they are done, stand in the right
-At the MFA, bring exact change for the machines because they do not give you change
-Dual citizens are treated as foreigners, so have your documents done accordingly
-You do not need baptism papers for any part of the process
-If you plan an atheist wedding, you will need to have someone from ZAGS present to officiate
-Each region has its own ZAGS. Go to the one in your area
-Spanish citizens will need to obtain their single status apostilled document from Spain before coming to Armenia because of a lack of embassy
-The Ministry of Justice is generally very good at answering any questions you may have in the process
-The lineups at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive your stamp are very long on Mondays and Thursdays. It might be better to visit on a Tuesday or Friday. It is better to arrive at 10 am to avoid lines in general
-At the MFA, to fill out the forms and send in for processing, stand in the left line. To pick up your documents once they are done, stand in the right
-At the MFA, bring exact change for the machines because they do not give you change
-Dual citizens are treated as foreigners, so have your documents done accordingly
-You do not need baptism papers for any part of the process
Tamar Najarian
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