Mauritius - Apply to Get Married

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Procedure

The Civil Status Office in Mauritius is responsible for marriages and other matters relating to the civil status of persons in Mauritius and for the issue of civil status certificates. You can apply to get marred in Mauritius through an agent or by yourself at the civil status office.

Apply in person:

Civil Marriage for Mauritius Citizens

1. You should gather all the required documents, note that birth certificates should be issued within the last three months prior to marriage registration.
2. Visit the civil status office of the locality within the district where the marriage is to take place for publication of the proposed civil marriage. This should be done 10 days before marriage.
3. Produce all the original documents for publication of the marriage
4. Two witness are required to be present at the marriage ceremony

Marriage of a non-citizen to a citizen of Mauritius

The non-citizen should.

1. Obtain certificate of good conduct from your country or an authentic affidavit if your country does not issue good conduct.
2. You will also need to get a new birth certificate from your country since the civil registry require birth certificate issued within 30 days in proposed period of marriage.
3. You may also need to have financial statements to prove that you are financially stable and can support your stay while in the country.
4. Proceed and on your arrival in Mauritius fill the immigration papers for marriage and you will have an entry stamp for marriage on your passport.
5. You will need to stay in Mauritius for at least 7 days before you proceed for the publication of your marriage.
6. Meanwhile you should gather all the required documents and on the seventh day proceed to the civil status office in Port Louis for publication of your marriage.
7. At the office the will check all your documents and if they approve them you marriage shall take place with 10 days of publicationProcedure

Marriage of two non-citizens

1. Send you application to for a certificate of non-citizens/non-residents at the Central Civil Status Office at least one month before the date of your proposed marriage and should submit the following documents:
   • 2 photographs of each birth certificate drawn up in English of French;
   • 2 photocopies of each passport (the 1st three pages only); and
   • Any other documents relating to divorce, widow/widower or change of name.
2. A certificate of non-citizen and non-resident is issued in Mauritius after verification of your passports. You will also be required to swear an affidavit before the Chief Registrar,Supreme Court, before the publication of marriage banns.
3. Section 24A of the civil Status Act provides that the marriage of non-citizens and non-residents may be celebrated on the day immediately following the day of publication
4. The marriage is celebrated in the office or in any private premises by the Civil Status Officer of the locality where the parties will reside.
5. You should note that if you are French citizens, you need to contact the French Embassy concerning other formalities. Tel. No. 230 202 0100 Email: [email protected]
6. As regards fees for wedding held in the office, no payment is required. If it is celebrated in the hotel or any private premises, a payment of Rs 1500 should be made at the Central Civil Status office.

Religious Marriage having civil effect​

1. Persons as authorized by the Registrar of Civil Status may celebrate a Religious Marriage Having Civil Effect.
2. Where a person is not authorized to celebrate a Religious Marriage Having Civil Effect a civil status officer may be designated to assist in the ceremony and register the marriage with Civil Effect.
3. Publication is required for the celebration of a Religious Marriage having Civil Effect.
4. Religious marriages having civil effect have the same legal effect as civil marriages
5. Two witnesses are required to be present at time of marriage

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Required Documents

• Birth certificates issued within the last three month
• Previous Marriage certificate(s) if divorced
• Death/Marriage certificate(s) if widow/widower
• National Identity Cards of all parties
• Sworn affidavit
• Medical certificate
• Good conduct certificate
• Financial statement
• Marriage entry permit
• Residential permit

Office Locations & Contacts

Central Civil Status Office 
Head office: 
7th Floor, Emmanuel Anquetil Building,
Port Louis.

There are 44 Civil Status Sub-Offices that are functioning in various localities across the island of Mauritius List.

Eligibility

• Legal age for marriage is 18 years for both men and women.
  
• If 16 or 17 years old then parental consent is required.
  
• Bride and Groom may not be related by blood or adoption.
  
• Two witnesses are required.

Fees

As regards fees for wedding held in the office, no payment is required. If it is celebrated in the hotel or any private premises, a payment of Rs 1500 should be made at the Central Civil Status office.

Validity

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e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

• Validation of documents at the registry office is within one working day

Related Videos

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Instructions

Marriage of two non-citizens

1. Application for a certificate of non-citizen/non-resident should reach the Central Civil Status Office, 7th Floor, Emmanuel Anquetil Bldg., Port Louis at least one month before the intended date of marriage.
2. The civil marriage may be celebrated after one day of publication.
3. On their arrival in Mauritius, the parties should call on the Registrar of Civil Status, Central Civil Status Office for verification of original documents.
4. Documents to be forwarded are

• Two photocopies of each birth certificate drawn up in English/French.
• Two photocopies of each passport.
• Relevant documents in respect of divorce, widow/widower or change of name.
  

Two witnesses are required to be present at time of the marriage ceremony.

Marriage of a non-citizen to a citizen of Mauritius

1. The applicants should have resided in Mauritius for a continuous period of seven (7) days immediately preceding the day of publication of marriage.
2. The non-citizen should be holder of a valid marriage visa issued by the Immigration Office.
3. The publication of a proposed civil marriage between a non-citizen and a citizen of Mauritius is made only at the Central Civil Status Office in Port Louis
4. Civil marriage between a non-citizen and a citizen shall take place at the Central Civil Status Office, Port Louis after a minimum period of ten (10) days as from the day of publication.
   

Two witnesses are required to be present at time of the marriage ceremony.

Required Information

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the Document

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Information which might help

The future spouses may, before their marriage, choose three matrimonial systems which are:

The legal system of community of goods

• The Civil Code provides for a system of legal community of goods – this means that if the future spouses do not opt for a specific matrimonial system, if they marry without stating by what matrimonial system they wish to be governed, they are deemed to have chosen the system of legal community of goods.

The legal system of separation of goods and property

• Under this system of separation of goods, the husband or the wife retains the ownership of the property which he or she possessed prior to the marriage and those acquired during the marriage. Either spouse may administer such property and dispose of it freely without the intervention of the other spouse as if he/she were not married.

The marriage settlement embodied in notarial deed

• Prior to their marriage, the future spouses may have a marriage contract drawn up a Notary Public establishing the matrimonial system by which they wish to be governed and containing all stipulations considered desirable.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Civil Status Division

Mauritius Attraction

Marry Aboard

Others

More information which might help people.