Sacrament of Marriage

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR MARRIAGE
The following applies to UAE residence visa holders who have been residing in the area served by the parish for at least 3 months. All others (e.g. visit visa holders), please contact the Parish Office.

1. Newly issued Baptism certificate from the Church of Baptism
   1. 1. Must be newly-issued original document (i.e. not copy) within 6 months to the marriage date.
      2. If not indicated on the Baptism Certificate that there is no record/entry of Marriage or similar (e.g. “For Marriage Purpose”, “No Entry of Marriage”, etc.), a letter from the church of baptism that there is no record of marriage, is also needed.
2. Confirmation certificate
   1. 1. Not required if Confirmation date is also written on the newly-issued Baptism Certificate
      2. Old or newly issued Confirmation certificate (not souvenir) or even a photocopy is acceptable.
3. Marriage Preparation Course certificate
4. Civil Freedom to Marry
   1. 1. Not civilly married: recently issued within the last 6 months a Certificate or Affidavit or Statement of singleness/no marriage/no impediment/ Free State (attested by the concerned government/embassy/consulate). If embassy/consulate does not provide, or no embassy/consulate, please contact Parish Office.
      2. If already civilly married: Civil Marriage Certificate photocopy
5. Passport copy and valid visa copy
6. Photograph (passport size)
7. Previously married: further process may be required.  Please contact Parish Office with whatever applies:
   1. Death or burial certificate of previous spouse
   2. Civil Divorce/Annulment decree (a true copy)
   3. Church Annulment Certificate (original)

            Note:

1. Any document not in English may require an official translation.
2. Please make sure that information (e.g. names, date of birth) on church certificates matches information in civil documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport), to avoid any problems later with civil recognition of marriage certificate, or difficulties due to difference in information in identity documents/certificates.
3. If one person is non-Catholic, then for him/her documents (1) and (2) are replaced by:
   1. If not baptized: birth certificate copy. In case of not belonging to any religion, the Parish Office may demand also a certification that he/she is not baptized.
   2. If baptized: Baptism Certificate / Letter with details of baptism. Old or newly issued letter/certificate is acceptable.
4. Photocopies: should be clear and legible

  
RESTRICTIONS FOR MARRIAGES CONDUCTED DURING PANDEMIC SEASON

1. All the people must wear their masks and maintain social distance at all times.
2. After the marriage mass has ended, all must disperse in an orderly manner at the earliest.
 

PROCEDURE FOR THE ATTESTATION OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE IN UAE

1. The marriage certificate from the church has to be notarized from Sharjah.

2. The marriage certificate then has to be authenticated by the Ministry of Justice.

Location: Al Twar Center, Qusais, Dubai

3. The same certificate must then be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Location: Al Twar Center, Qusais, Dubai

4. Proceed to each one's respective Consulate/ Embassy with the photocopy of the certificate with all the stamps (both sides).

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE 

ENGLISH (Two Days Course)
       Saturday  :  07.00 pm to 09.30 pm
       Sunday    :  08.00 am to 05.30 pm

MALAYALAM (Two Days Course)
       Saturday  :  07.00 pm to 09.30 pm
       Sunday    :  08.00 am to 05.30 pm

The Marriage Preparation Course registrations will commence once the course dates are announced. Kindly bring a hard copy of your recently issued Baptism Certificate (6 months validity) to the Parish Office to register yourself for the course.

FREEDOM TO MARRY CERTIFICATE / NOC FOR MARRIAGE

To obtain the Freedom to Marry Certificate / NOC for Marriage, you may approach the Parish Office with the following documents:
       1. Copy of Newly-issued Baptism Certificate (6 months validity)
       2. Parish ID number