If you want to have a wedding abroad, there are a few things to consider. After all, your marriage should also be valid in your home country. Generally speaking, you can say your wedding vows at any Croatian registry office, even if you are a resident of another country. However, you have to declare your intention to be wed in person. Unfortunately, this cannot be done by phone, in writing or by an authorised person. But at least this is a good reason to visit Croatia before the wedding.
You will also need a few documents to be able to get married in Croatia as a foreign citizen.
Firstly, you will need a Certificate of No Impediment or Certificate of Free Marital Status, if you are not a resident of Croatia. Depending on your country of origin, these certificates can usually be issued either at your local Register Office or at your country’s Embassy or Consulate in Croatia.
You will also need international birth certificates, which may not be older than three months.
Please also don’t forget your proof of identity (passports or your national ID if you are from an EU/EEA country). They must be valid for at least six months on the day of the wedding if you want to get married in Croatia. You will also need certified copies of these documents.
If you are divorced or widowed, you will also need to present a Decree Absolute or a Death Certificate of your previous spouse and your previous Marriage Certificate.
Please make sure to double-check with the Croatian authorities if any other documents are needed, since this may depend on your country of origin and each local jurisdiction in Croatia. All the documents must be originals or certified copies (with Apostille Stamp) and translated into Croatian by an official court translator. If you provide all the necessary documents, nothing more should stand in your way of your wedding in Croatia.
What you need to know when registering your wedding: important information at a glance
If you are getting married in Croatia, there is no registration deadline to be aware of. You can however schedule the date of your wedding no more than 45 days in advance. Once you have registered the wedding, it must take place within three months. This is because your Certificate of No Impediment or Certificate of Free Marital Status will then lose its validity.
There is no minimum residency requirement for couples that want to get married in Croatia. This means that you can theoretically arrive on the day of the wedding and leave for your honeymoon the same evening.
Please note: Wedding planning in Croatia usually takes longer than 45 days. This is why we start planning well in advance.
For example, we find the venues, determine the supporting programme and connect you with the right suppliers. We are also happy to keep an eye on your appointments and when they are due – including those with the authorities. For this we are in touch with you throughout the whole preparation process. This way you can focus entirely on your ideas and wishes for the wedding on the Adriatic.
