Two documents to start. We file everything else.
The least romantic page on this site, made painless.
Seychelles is one of the easiest places in the world for foreigners to marry legally, as long as the documents are right. Here is the complete picture in plain language. You gather the papers, we handle every filing, submission and stamp.
What you actually need
A valid passport and an apostilled birth certificate, for both of you. Depending on your nationality and situation you may also need an apostilled certificate of no impediment, a divorce decree, a former spouse's death certificate or a change-of-name certificate. Everything must be in English or French, or come with a certified translation. Send us your nationalities on WhatsApp and we confirm your exact list for free, usually within a day.
The two documents every couple needs
Valid passport
A clear copy of the photo page for each of you. The passport must be valid for your travel dates. A good scan is enough for the initial filing, and you bring the real one when you fly.
Birth certificate
The original birth certificate for each of you, carrying an apostille from your home country. This is the document the Civil Status Office reads most carefully, so start the apostille early.
The extras, only if they apply to you
| Your situation | Document needed | Apostille |
|---|---|---|
| Your country requires proof you are free to marry | Celibacy certificate, also called a certificate of no impediment. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Belgium ask for it, among others. Country guide below. | Apostille required |
| Previously married and divorced | Divorce certificate or decree absolute. | Apostille required |
| Widowed | Death certificate of your former spouse. | Apostille required |
| Name changed since birth | Deed poll or change-of-name certificate. | Apostille required |
What an apostille is, in one breath
An apostille is an official certification that makes a document from one country legally valid in another, issued under the Hague Convention of 1961. Seychelles is a member. You obtain it in your home country before sending us anything, usually from a court, a notary office or your ministry of foreign affairs. Timing varies wildly. A few days in the UK, several weeks in Germany, so this is the one step worth starting early.
If your country is not in the Hague Convention, your documents are instead authenticated by your country's department of foreign affairs. Tell us your nationality and we point you to the exact office. We have guided couples from dozens of countries through it.
The celibacy certificate, by its local name
A document from your home country confirming you are legally free to marry. Not every country requires one, but much of Europe does. Here is where to get it.
| Country | Where to obtain it | Local name |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Standesamt, your civil registry office | Ehefähigkeitszeugnis |
| Austria | Standesamt | Ehefähigkeitszeugnis |
| Switzerland | Zivilstandsamt | Ehefähigkeitszeugnis |
| France | Mairie, your town hall | Certificat de capacité à mariage |
| Belgium | Commune or Gemeente | Certificat de non-empêchement |
| United Kingdom | General Register Office | Certificate of No Impediment |
Not sure whether your country asks for one? Send us your nationality on WhatsApp and we confirm within a day, free.
The document timeline, step by step
Start gathering
Collect the documents and apply for the apostilles in your home country. This step decides whether everything later is relaxed or rushed.
Send us the scans
Email clear scans of everything. We file them with the Civil Status Office and arrange publication of the marriage banns, which Seychelles law requires for 11 days.
Bring the originals
Carry the original documents or certified copies with you. The registrar verifies them before the ceremony, normally one to two working days ahead.
The registrar comes to the beach
The official registrar conducts your fully legal ceremony on the sand. Travelling as just the two of you? We provide the witnesses.
We stamp it for the world
You receive the official Marriage Certificate. We arrange the apostille from the Seychelles Supreme Court, a Letter of Authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where your country wants one, and Embassy attestation for UAE and GCC couples.
The 48-hour express route
If your documents reach us less than 11 days before the wedding date, a special marriage licence can be issued within about two days for an additional government fee of SCR 500, roughly €35. We handle it, and it is the engine behind our express weddings. Most couples can legally marry within about 48 hours of landing.
Translations, and what you take home
Every document must be in English or French. If yours are in German, Italian, Russian, Arabic or anything else, they need a certified translation, which we arrange on request. Just mention it when you send your scans.
The certificate you fly home with is a legal document recognised internationally. Before you leave, we make sure it carries the Supreme Court apostille, plus the Letter of Authentication or Embassy attestation your home country expects. In short, you land with paperwork no registry office can argue with.
Official sources, if you like reading primary material: Immigration and Civil Status, Republic of Seychelles · Government of Seychelles portal · Our partner's document guide with the same list
This page prints cleanly, tables and all, for the kitchen-table folder.
Documents, asked and answered
Does my birth certificate really need an apostille?
Yes. The Civil Status Office requires an apostille on foreign birth certificates and on situational documents such as divorce decrees. You obtain it in your home country, usually from a court, a notary or the foreign ministry.
Which countries need a celibacy certificate?
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Belgium most commonly, each under its own local name. UK couples can obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from the General Register Office. Unsure about yours? Message us your nationality and we confirm for free.
How far in advance do we send our documents?
Scans at least 14 days before the wedding date, because the law requires the banns to be published for 11 days. We file everything on your behalf.
Our documents are late. Is the date lost?
Usually not. A special marriage licence can be issued within about two days for SCR 500, roughly €35. It is how our express weddings work.
Our documents are not in English. What now?
They need a certified translation into English or French. We arrange translations on request.
Is the certificate recognised in our home country?
Yes. It carries the apostille of the Seychelles Supreme Court under the Hague Convention, recognised across the UK, the EU, the GCC and most of the world. Where your country wants more, we add a Letter of Authentication or Embassy attestation.
Do we need to bring witnesses?
No. If you are eloping as a couple, we provide the legally required witnesses.
Do we ever visit a government office?
No. That is the point of us. You will not see a single counter, queue or rubber stamp. We do all of it.