Guidelines for getting married in Seychelles

Guidelines for getting married in Seychelles

Marriages are typically officiated by civil or religious authorities, with procedures varying widely by country. In some places, the process can be time-consuming, costly, and require extensive preparation. If you’re planning to tie the knot in the Seychelles, be sure to familiarize yourselves with the local requirements before you travel.

Why marry in the Seychelles?

Your marriage certificate will be valid worldwide from the Seychelles. 

The marriage certificate provided by the Civil Status Office of the Seychelles is recognized as a legal document worldwide. However, before departing the country, ensure your marriage certificates are apostilled by the Seychelles Supreme Court and accompanied by a Letter of Authentication from the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Documents required in Seychelles for the registration of: 

Weddings between Seychellois

-Birth certificate of both parties
-Seychelles National Identity cards
-Divorce certificates if applicable
-Clear copy of Passport where appropriate
-Death certificate of previous spouse if widow or widower

Weddings between Foreigners

-Complete the Registration form
-Birth certificate of both parties
-Divorce certificates if applicable
-Clear copy of Passport of both parties
-Death certificate of previous spouse if widow or widower
-All Document should be apostille and Authenticated

Weddings between Seychellois/ Foreigner 

Seychellois
-Birth certificate of both parties
-Seychelles National Identity cards
-Divorce certificates if applicable
-Clear copy of Passport where appropriate
-Death certificate of previous spouse if widow or widower
Foreigner
-Original Birth Certificate **(Apostille)- If country is not a member of the apostil convention certificate must be authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs in respective countries.
-Celibacy Certificate (As Above**)
-Divorce Certificate where applicable
-Death certificate of previous spouse if widow or widower
-Police character certificate- can collect from Seychelles Police Station if been in the country for six months or more
-Permit of stay in Seychelles
-One passport size photo

At what cost is it beneficial to marry in the Seychelles?  

-Marriage conducted at the Civil Status Office for citizens of Seychelles is free of charge
-Citizens of Seychelles – Outside of the Civil Status Office on Mahé, Praslin, La Digue – SCR 1500.00
-If both parties are foreigners on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue – SCR 3000.00.
-Both parties are foreigners on an island other than Mahe, Praslin and La Digue – SCR 4000.00 (Marrying parties shall also bear the other costs of transportation, accommodation and meals of the -Civil Status Officer when on the other islands).
-Special marriage license – SCR 500.00

The procedures to getting married are as follows: 

-A couple wishing to get married by law should be aware of these important points about civil marriages:
-Wedding registration should be made in the office and both parties should be present.
-The legal age for a male or female to contract marriage is 18 years and over.
-Parental consent is required for any minor to contract a civil marriage.
-Female children of age 15 to 18 years must produce proof of consent (a notary document) in writing if one of the parents cannot be there in person to give verbal consent.
-Before the marriage can take place, the banns are published for 11 days before the date of marriage.
-Foreigners wishing to get married in Seychelles may call the Civil Status office at Independence House or send an email to info@civilstatus.gov.sc or may wish to make arrangements through a local wedding agent or hotel or (place of accommodation) or directly to the Civil Status Office to register their wedding eleven days in advance. Such periods may be exempted by applying for a special marriage license normally issued within two days from the date of the application at a charge of SCR 500.00.

For further information, you can contact the Civil Status Offices:
Mahé Island Central Office:  +(248) 429 36 14
Praslin Island Office: +(248) 423 26 04
La Digue Island Office: +(248) 252 07 53
Email: info@civilstatus.gov.sc
Website: http://www.ics.gov.sc/civil-status/getting-married

* Opening hours of the Civil Status Offices are from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.  Closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

A Religious Marriage Ceremony 

Your dream of a romantic religious wedding in paradise can easily become a reality in the Seychelles.

Roman Catholicism is the main religion of the country, however, churches such as Anglican, Church of England, and communities of Muslims, Hindus and Bahais are also represented.

To organise your religious marriage ceremony, you must get in touch with the appropriate religious body.  It is however important to note, under the Seychelles law, that a religious wedding is not valid without having been civilly married before.  It is therefore compulsory to organise the civil marriage before the religious ceremony.

Local tour operators or operators will be contented to help you organise your special day.  Details of contacts of certain main religious bodies in the Seychelles are as listed below:

CATHOLIC CHURCH
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 4322 652

ANGLICAN CHURCH
St. Paul’s Cathedral office
P. O. Box 44, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 4322 508 / +248 4 323 879

HINDU TEMPLE
Hindu Kovil Sangam
Quincy Street, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 2722128

Clients can equally tie the knot in hotels or specific sites. Tour Operator and their representatives can easily organise a wedding on one of the islands, according to the wishes of the client.

For Further information regarding LATEST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO SEYCHELLES – CLICK HERE and other TRAVEL INFORMATION – CLICK HERE 

Edited by J.R / Photo Credit – Torsten Dickmann

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