Recognition of Marriage from Georgia in European Union Countries

As a legal practitioner based in Georgia, I am frequently involved in the relationship of international couples with the challenges of getting married. A question I get very often and is quite important for the individuals going through this process is the recognition of marriage from Georgia in European Union countries. This is definitely a tricky thing to do like a maze where your patience is often tested, but the bottom line is that a Georgian marriage is a solid legal ground for your life together even in different countries.

The Ground of Recognition The Apostille

The key element of recognizing international marriages, especially for members of the European Union, is the Hague Convention of 1961. It is a matter of pride for Georgia to be a signatory of this convention and what's more important, this act simplifies the process for documents to be acknowledged abroad in a big way. Hence, a marriage that is registered by the local marriage office in Georgia, for the majority of the EU member states, will need basically an apostille on your original document of marriage.

An apostille is a specific rectangular stamp that acknowledges the authenticity of a document, the signature on it, and the seal of the authority that issues it. For instance, realistically, once the wedding is through, you can get this apostille from the House of Justice in Georgia. Based on my past experience, this process usually involves selecting a service speed - starting from as fast as one business day and taking up to eight business days. The apostille is affixed directly to your original Georgian marriage certificate, and in usual cases, Georgian legislation also prescribes this to be done on the translation as well, though the second apostille is not demanded in all countries. Nevertheless, always make sure that you do detailed checking so that you do not have to deal with future complications.

Going beyond the Apostille Country-Specific Requirements

Of their own accord, some EU countries, which have their own varied legal systems, may impose additional measures. This is where each client's storyline changes and they need a specific map instead of merely a common template. For such major EU stations as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, let's plan an entirely respectful and efficient journey, one step at a time:

• France Pre-registration at the French Embassy in Georgia, ideally two months in advance, is crucial for French citizens. After marriage, you need to deliver your Georgian marriage certificate to the embassy for a French certificate and an additional family book.
• Germany Authorities in Germany (the Standesamt) may often ask for a number of other documents apart from the apostilled marriage certificate, for example, original birth certificates and other types of personal records. Hence, it would be better to plan ahead in this respect and prepare yourself.
• Italy For citizens from Italy, it is strongly advised to register your marriage at the Italian Consulate in Georgia. Plus, they can ask for an apostille on the Italian notary's translation of the marriage certificate.
• Spain Spanish law bears its own peculiarities. Well, a Georgian marriage certificate may be regarded as valid in Spain for only three months generally, a Spanish translation carried out in Georgia is mostly not acknowledged. In that situation, you might need to go through the process of legalization either through the Spanish embassy or the consulate.

Practical information about EU recognition

Here are a few practical tips when taking your Georgian marriage certificate to be used in the EU:

• Translation Requirements: It is almost inevitable for your Georgian marriage certificate, even with an apostille, to be translated into the official language of the specific EU country where you want to use it by an accredited translator from that very EU country.
• Content of the Certificate: The Georgian marriage certificate shows such data as the complete names, birth dates and places, nationalities, and the date and place of registration. Yet, it does not mention passport numbers, names of witnesses (only in the archive act), names of the parents, or their addresses. Pay attention to these omissions, as there are countries in the EU that may demand more thorough backing.
• Document Storage: Note that all original documents given for your marriage in the territory of Georgia are preserved in the Georgia archives and are not returned. Giving certified copies for your records once you submit them for approval is a good practice.

Conclusion

The process of getting recognition for your Georgian marriage in the European Union is pretty rigorous thus, you have got to be vigilant and accurate in every detail. Besides, keep in mind the apostille, though it is a very powerful documentation tool, is not the only one you will need. I am really committed to being a straight, trustworthy bridge, and a simple task is to help you see that Georgia's hospitality includes its infrastructure, which is friendly, but works according to its own, very intricate logic. By learning the exact necessities and fulfilling them, you will be able to have your marriage acknowledged without any hassle.

To make this adventure easier and to help you receive personal instructions which correspond to your unique situation, start your marriage journey with VOWLY. Our smart marriage wizard will assist you with the specific post-marriage requirements for your chosen EU country and make the complex issues seem not complicated at all.