Bahrain is actually an archipelago of small islands and a wedding there would be quite memorable. It is also one of the most liberal of the Gulf nations, thus organizing a wedding is pretty straight forward.
Bahrain respects all nations and religions hence when organizing a wedding it is important that you follow the requirements of your own country. The Ministry of Justice in Bahrain requires a
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your embassy in order to register a marriage and issue a marriage certificate.
Usually one of the main requirements of an embassy is a residency of 21 days in order for a marriage banns to be issued. A marriage banns enables anyone to raise any canonical or civil legal impediment to the marriage, so as to prevent marriages that are invalid. You may also have to prove that you are not already married by producing a divorce decree for a previous marriage or proving that you have never been married before.
The costs of a wedding in Bahrain vary depending on a number of factors. Firstly you must consider the embassy charges, secondly it is important to remember that the venue will have its own charges and your nationality may also play a factor in the cost of your wedding.
Muslim marriage – Muslims can marry at the Ministry of Justice. In addition to the requirements of the embassy of the couple, the bride will have to provide a letter from her father showing that he is giving the bride and groom his blessing.
Roman Catholics – There are a few Roman Catholic Churches in Bahrain where Roman Catholics can marry. The bride and groom-to-be will have to fill out a marriage application form and have a couple of appointments with the priest to discuss the upcoming marriage and what it will entail. Roman Catholics can marry at the Sacred Heart church on Shaikh Isa Al Khabeer Avenue, and Anglicans at St Christopher’s Cathedral opposite the Police Fort.
Hindu wedding – No court documents are required for this wedding and while there are two Hindu temples in Bahrain, it is not a necessary venue for the wedding. The only requirement is that the banns is read at the Indian embassy for the requisite time period, and then the necessary ritual is carried out in front of relatives on both sides, officiated by the Pundit. The marriage is then registered at the Indian Embassy. . There are two Hindu temples, one in the Manama souk and the other, which is dedicated to the Goddess Durga, is out in the desert beyond Alba, south of Sitra. There are also three Sikh Gurudwaras in Bahrain. For a Hindu wedding, no court documents are required. It doesn’t have to take place in a temple, but can be performed anywhere.
Civil marriage – a civil marriage is recognized in the Kingdom of Bahrain, however there are a few requirements which need to be adhered to. You have to provide the Ministry of Justice with an NOC from your embassy as well as your sponsor and your
CPR (ID) card. The marriage can take place at any venue after the banns have been read.
Required Information
- Father’s and Mother’s Name
Required Documents
- NOC from your employer/sponsor (for Civil marriages)
- Letter from the Father of Bride (Muslims marriages)
Authorization of Marriage With a Foreigner (for Bahrainis Only)1) Certificate of good behaviour issued by the criminal investigations and a copy of it
2) Medical certificate before marriage issued by the health centre and a copy of it .
3) Salary attestation(from employer) and for self employed, they have to submit a monthly income statement issued by the notarization office and a copy of it.
4) Bringing 2 witnesses ,who should not be less than 21 years old, before the court.
Issuing Marriage Contracts for Non-Bahraini1) Presence of the wife’s father or bringing an official procurations from him about his non-objection to her marriage
2) Certificate proving applicant’s marital status, if married or not married, issued by competent authorities in the country of origin
3) Presence of both parties before the court
4) Letter of non-objection to marriage issued by the embassy of the husband’s country
5) Written statement of the sponsor on his non-objection to this marriage
6) Presence of two witnesses before the court
7) Bringing Muslim witnesses (if applicant is not Muslim)
The fee for the marriage will depend on your embassy charges, your nationality and on the amount charged by the institution carrying out the ceremony.