Marriage in Bahrain: Procedures and Required Documents

Published on September 29, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

When planning a wedding in Bahrain, an archipelago blending centuries-old traditions with dynamic modernity, it’s essential to understand the administrative procedures and required documents to formalize this union.

Whether you’re a resident or foreigner, each step of the process may involve cultural and bureaucratic specificities unique to the country. This article guides you through the mandatory formalities to ensure the big day goes smoothly, from the marriage declaration to potential religious procedures, while highlighting local legal particularities that might surprise those less familiar with Bahrain’s legislative framework.

Let’s explore together this mosaic of rules and traditions to transform this administrative journey into successful love.

Details of Administrative Procedures for Marriage in Bahrain

Detailed steps to get married in Bahrain:

1. Initial contacts and verifications with embassies

• Contact the respective embassies of each future spouse, even if both share the same nationality.
• Embassies assist in verifying legal eligibility for marriage and help collect required documents.
• Obtain a certificate of no impediment to marriage or No Objection Certificate (NOC), issued by each embassy. This document is mandatory to proceed with marriage registration.

2. Gathering necessary documents

Typical document list:

• Valid passports
• ID cards
• Original birth certificates
• Residence permits (for foreign residents)
• Certificates of single status or divorce decrees (if applicable)
• Medical certificate attesting absence of medical impediments to marriage (in some cases, particularly with religious requirements)
• NOC/Consular certificate issued by the embassy

3. Preliminary medical examination

In some cases, a medical examination may be required before submitting the official file.

4. Choosing the type of ceremony

Civil marriage: Approach an officer designated by the Ministry of Justice.

Religious marriage: Contact the relevant religious institutions directly (mosque, church, temple…).

Ceremony Type	Where to apply?	Specificities
Civil	Ministry of Justice	Recognized officiant
Muslim	Mosque / Imam	Respect of “Nikah” ritual
Christian	Local church	According to denominational rite
Other faiths	Corresponding religious institution	According to specific rites

5. Mandatory presence at the marriage

Two adult male witnesses (>21 years) with valid ID must be present.

6. Celebration and official registration

Upon ceremony completion, obtain an official certificate provided by the officiant.

Mandatory filing and registration with the Bahraini Ministry of Justice for legal validation.

7. Additional authentication (optional but recommended)

• Authenticate the certificate with the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs for international recognition.
• If necessary, have this certificate officially translated if only available in Arabic.

8. Recognition in home country

Present the authenticated certificate to respective embassies for official recognition in concerned countries (passport/visa/marital status update).

Estimated Timeframes

Document collection and consular procedures: Allow several days to a few weeks depending on administrative timelines specific to each embassy.

Possible NOC issuance: Generally within 1 week after complete personal file receipt.

Ministerial registration after celebration: Immediate or within a few days depending on workload/submitted files.

Specifics Applicable to Foreigners

It’s essential that each foreign national consults their embassy from the beginning to obtain all specific information related to their nationality or personal situation (possible additional conditions).

Mixed couples or those from different nationalities must comply with cumulative requirements imposed by their respective national jurisdictions AND those in force in Bahrain.

Some religious communities impose their own procedures before official acceptance; therefore, always verify precisely which preliminary steps are required according to one’s faith/denomination.

Administrative Summary – Key Points

Synthetic list:

• Schedule appointments with your embassies
• Gather passports/ID cards/birth certificates/residence permits/NOC/relevant certificates
• Complete medical tests if requested
• Choose civil or religious ceremony through competent institution
• Present two adult male witnesses during celebration
• File signed certificate with Bahraini Ministry of Justice (+ Foreign Affairs authentication/translation if needed)
• Have your union officially recognized with national consular authorities

Required Documents to Get Married in Bahrain

Necessary documents to get married in Bahrain

Category of Persons	Required Documents
Bahraini Nationals	– National ID card – Birth certificate – Certificate of single status or non-opposition (if applicable) – Divorce decree (if remarrying) – Proof of residence
Foreigners Residing in Bahrain	– Valid passport – Residence permit or residency card – Birth certificate (certified Arabic translation required) – Certificate of single status or non-opposition (NOC) issued by home embassy – Divorce decree or death certificate of previous spouse (if applicable) – Publication of banns (for some nationalities, via embassy) – Certificate of capacity to marry (for French nationals, for example)

Supporting documents and specific steps:

Certificate of non-opposition or single status: For foreigners, this document is often issued by the home embassy and attests that no legal obstacles to marriage exist. It’s mandatory for marriage registration in Bahrain.

Arabic translation: All foreign documents (birth certificates, certificates of single status, divorce judgments, etc.) must be translated into Arabic by a sworn translator. The translation must then be authenticated by the Ministry of Justice, then by Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Document authentication: Before presenting documents to Bahraini authorities, it’s necessary to legalize originals with the home embassy, then have them authenticated by Bahraini authorities.

Publication of banns: For some nationalities, publication of banns at the embassy (or even in the home municipality) is required. This process generally takes 10 days, plus transmission time for certificates.

Marriage registration: After the ceremony, the marriage must be registered with the Ministry of Justice. The marriage certificate can then be translated and authenticated for recognition in the spouses’ home countries.

Timeframes:

• File preparation: Allow 1 to 3 months before the wedding date, depending on consular requirements and document acquisition time.
• Publication of banns and certificate issuance: Count 10 to 20 days on average, excluding transmission and authentication times.
• Authentication and translation: Generally 1 to 2 weeks, depending on translator availability and administrative timelines.

Interfaith marriages and marriages between foreigners:

– Couples of the same nationality can sometimes marry at their embassy if their home country’s legislation permits.

– Couples of different nationalities must comply with both embassies’ requirements and provide a complete file for each party.

– For interfaith marriages, the procedure may vary by denomination: it may be necessary to obtain approval from a specific religious authority or provide additional documents, particularly in case of conversion.

– Some marriages (for example, between Muslims and non-Muslims) may be subject to particular restrictions under Bahraini law.

Language requirements and authentications:

– All documents not in Arabic must be translated, then legalized.

– Marriage registration with the Ministry of Justice requires documents in Arabic or accompanied by their official translation.

– Authentication by Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, although optional, is recommended to facilitate international recognition of the marriage.

To remember:
⧉ Allow sufficient time for collection, translation, legalization, and authentication of all documents.
⧉ Contact concerned embassies from the beginning of procedures to anticipate any particularities related to nationality, religion, or residence status.

Specific Procedure for Expatriates Wishing to Marry in Bahrain

To get married in Bahrain as an expatriate, several key steps must be followed, each involving precise administrative requirements and procedures with different authorities.

Main steps for expatriate marriage in Bahrain:

1. Initial contact with embassies

• Each future spouse must contact their respective embassy.
• The embassy verifies legal eligibility for marriage and assists in collecting necessary documents.
• Issuance of a certificate of non-objection (No Objection Certificate – NOC), an indispensable document to proceed with marriage registration.

2. Preparation and collection of required documents

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Certificate of single status or matrimonial capacity
• Residence permit in Bahrain
• Divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse, if applicable
• Certificate of non-objection (NOC) issued by the embassy
• Two male witnesses (over 21 years, with valid ID)

Required Document	Detail/Observation
Passport	Original + copy
Birth certificate	Original + sworn translation if necessary
Certificate of single status	Issued by embassy or national authorities
Residence permit	Proof of legal status in Bahrain
NOC	Indispensable, issued by each embassy
Witnesses	2 adult men, identification

3. Medical examination

Some cases require a preliminary medical examination, depending on nationality and requirements of the religious or civil community.

4. File submission to local authorities

Submit complete file to the Ministry of Justice or to the authorized officiant for the ceremony (civil or religious).

Wait for file examination and approval.

5. Marriage celebration

Civil ceremony: with a Ministry of Justice officer, particularly for mixed or non-religious couples.

Religious ceremony: with the competent religious institution.

6. Marriage registration and authentication

After the ceremony, the marriage certificate must be submitted for official registration with the Ministry of Justice.

Possible authentication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (recommended for international use).

Certified translation of the marriage certificate if the document is only in Arabic.

7. Registration with embassy or consulate

For marriage recognition in the home country, the marriage certificate must be presented to the embassy or consulate of each spouse.

For couples of the same nationality (for example, two French nationals), it’s sometimes possible to celebrate the marriage directly at the embassy under certain conditions.

Expected timeframes:

• File preparation and NOC obtention: 1 to 2 weeks depending on embassies.
• Publication of banns (for some countries like France): 10 days minimum.
• Local marriage registration time: variable, generally from a few days to two weeks after the ceremony.
• Authentication and translation: 1 to 2 additional weeks depending on administrative workload.

Practical advice:

• Translation and certification: All documents not in Arabic or English must be translated by a sworn translator. Translations must be certified.
• Prior authentication: Some documents must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the home country, then by the Bahraini embassy.
• Prepare certified true copies of each document.
• Anticipate timelines: Submit the file at least 1 month before the planned wedding date.
• Keep all receipts and original documents for subsequent procedures.

Possible associated costs:

• Document translation and certification fees
• Medical examination fees (if applicable)
• Marriage registration fees with the Ministry of Justice
• Authentication fees with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Possible honoraria for the officiant or religious institution

Summary of key steps to follow:

• Contact embassies for advice and NOC
• Prepare a complete file with all required documents
• Submit the file to the marriage registration service
• Wait for approval and proceed with ceremony
• Register and authenticate the marriage certificate
• Complete recognition procedures with respective embassies

Note: Non-compliance with administrative requirements or absence of certain documents may cause significant delays or cancellation of the marriage procedure.