MARRIAGE IN AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan has established the following procedures to officially register and carry out marriages between a foreigner and an Azerbaijani citizen.  The following information, gathered by the U.S. Embassy in Baku, should give you general information regarding the marriage process in Azerbaijan.

Under Azerbaijani law, either the bride or the groom must be an Azerbaijani citizen in order for the marriage to be registered in Azerbaijan.  The Main Registrar Office (ZAGS) is the only authority that registers marriages, when a foreign national is involved.

1. Please Plan Ahead.  If you intend to marry in Azerbaijan, you should bring with you all pertinent civil documents from the U.S., particularly those documents (divorce or death certificates) establishing the end of any previous marriage, with translations into Azerbaijani or Russian.  These must be original documents or court certified copies.

2. Ensure That You Have A Valid Visa.  It is not possible to register for marriage without a valid Azerbaijani visa.  Visas may be obtained at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington D.C., or, at the airport upon your arrival to Azerbaijan.  For more information on visas for Azerbaijan, please visit the website of Azerbaijan Embassy in Washington at http://www.azembassy.us/.

3. Prepare A Certificate of Marriagability (Sahadatnama). - Information about new requirements will come soon  

4. Go To The ZAGS Office.  We advise you to contact the Main Registrar Office (ZAGS) and ask them what documents they require in order to register your marriage.  Once you have prepared all required documents, the Main Registrar Office (ZAGS) will accept your marriage application (available at the ZAGS office) and provide you with a marriage registration date.

Main Registrar Office (ZAGS) - New contact information will be provided soon

5. Apply For A U.S. Immigrant Visa.  Recent legislation has led to changes in the procedures American citizens resident abroad will follow if they wish to sponsor an immediate relative (spouse, parent or minor child) for an immigrant visa.  Please contact the Consular Section for the most current information.

If you are a visitor in this country or a legal permanent resident of the United States, you must file forms with your local USCIS office in the U.S.  Please see http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information.

For more information on marrying abroad, please see: (http://travel.state.gov/family/family_issues/marriage/marriage_589.html).