Seychelles Wedding Documents: Everything you need to get Married Legally
Getting your paperwork right before you travel is the most important thing you can do. The ceremony itself takes 15 minutes. Sorting missing documents from abroad takes days and adds stress you do not need on your wedding trip.
This page gives you the complete list, explains what apostille means if you are not sure, and covers what happens if your documents are not in perfect order. We have helped couples in all kinds of situations, including complicated ones.
The Document Checklist
Send us scanned copies by email before you travel. Bring all originals with you to Seychelles.
Required for both partners:
- Copies of your passport (the photo page only)
- Birth certificate with apostille stamp
If applicable:
- Divorce decree or equivalent document, if either of you was previously married
- Death certificate of a former spouse, if widowed
- Change of name certificate, if your name on any document differs from your passport
All documents except passports must be in English or French. If yours are in another language, you need a certified translation. We can help with several languages — contact us if you are unsure.
Once we receive your documents and confirm everything is in order, we start the paperwork with the local Civil Status Registrar. You do not need to visit any office yourself while you are in Seychelles. We handle that for you.
What apostille means and how to get one
An apostille is an official government stamp that authenticates a document for use in another country. It is the international standard under the Hague Convention of 1961, which Seychelles has signed. When your birth certificate carries an apostille, the Seychelles Civil Status Office accepts it as genuine without any further verification.
You get an apostille from your own government, not from us. In most countries it is issued by the foreign ministry, a notary authority, or a designated court. The process and cost vary by country, but it is usually straightforward. Search for “apostille [your country]” and you will find the relevant authority quickly.
If your country has not signed the Hague Convention, your documents need an authentication stamp from your Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA stamp) instead. The outcome is the same, it confirms your documents are genuine.
No apostille? You can still get married.
This is something most guides do not tell you: not having an apostille does not automatically mean your wedding cannot go ahead.
If you are having difficulty getting an apostille, or if your country does not issue them, contact us before you travel. We have worked through this situation with couples before and in most cases the wedding can still proceed. There are alternative ways to authenticate documents and we know how to work through the process with the Civil Status Office.
Do not cancel your plans before speaking to us first.
What happens on the Day
The civil ceremony is conducted by an official celebrant from the Seychelles Civil Status Office in English, French, or Creole. The official part takes around 15 minutes.
A few practical points worth knowing:
- Both partners must be present at the ceremony
- Minimum age is 18. If either party is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany them
- Two witnesses are required and must sign the wedding certificate at the end of the ceremony. They need to be 18 or older with valid ID. If you are travelling as a couple without guests, we provide witnesses at no extra cost
- Ceremonies are held Monday to Friday. Weekend and public holiday ceremonies are possible on request, subject to registrar availability, with an additional fee
- You do not need to visit any government office during your stay. We take care of all the in-country paperwork
After the Wedding: getting your certificate processed
Your marriage certificate is issued in English by the Seychelles Civil Status Office. Here is how the post-wedding process works:
Apostille from the Seychelles Supreme Court: 2/3 working day after the ceremony. This is included in your package.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) verification: 2/3 working days. Required for some countries.
UAE embassy stamp: 4/% working days after the ceremony. Required for couples registering their marriage in the UAE.
Leaving Seychelles before the process is complete? No problem. We send your completed, apostilled certificate to your home address by DHL express courier. Your original documents are returned to you together with the marriage certificate.
Your Seychelles marriage certificate is recognised in all 124 countries that have signed the Hague Convention, including the UAE, UK, Germany, France, India, and Australia.
Russian nationals: Your certificate will need to be translated into Russian and stamped by the Russian Embassy on Mahé. The translation and attestation can take up to 2-3 weeks.
French nationals: You need to complete a separate process with the French Embassy in Mauritius before your wedding. Start this at least four months before your planned date.
Nationality-specific requirements
UAE residents
Your Seychelles marriage certificate needs a UAE Embassy attestation to be registered with the UAE authorities. This takes 3 working days after the ceremony. We handle the process for you. For a full guide on registering your Seychelles marriage in the UAE, see our UAE registration page.
Swiss nationals
Travel with 2 full sets of certified copies of all documents, in addition to your originals. Your marriage will be registered with the Swiss Consul in Seychelles and the Swiss Embassy in Madagascar.
Visa and entry requirements for Seychelles
Seychelles is visa-free for all nationalities. You must register your trip at Seychelles Electronic Border System website or download the “Seychelles e-Border” app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
To get your permit at the airport, have the following ready:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining after your planned departure date
Return or onward flight ticket - Confirmed accommodation booking (a hotel confirmation or booking receipt is fine)
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay
The standard visitor permit is granted for up to 30 days and can be extended if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an apostille on my birth certificate?
Yes, in most cases. An apostille authenticates your document for use in Seychelles. If your country is not part of the Hague Convention, a MOFA stamp works instead. If you cannot get either, contact us , we have helped couples in this situation before and there are options.
Is there a rule about how old my birth certificate can be?
No. Several websites claim your birth certificate must be under 3 months old. That is incorrect. There is no validity period rule for birth certificates in Seychelles. What matters is that it carries a valid apostille or MOFA authentication.
How long before the wedding do I need to submit my documents?
Documents must be submitted to the Civil Status Office at least 11 days before the ceremony. If you cannot meet that window, a special licence can be issued within 2 working days, additional fees apply.
What language do my documents need to be in?
English or French. If your documents are in another language, you need a certified translation. We can assist with several languages -> just ask.
How long does it take to get my certificate after the wedding?
Apostille from the Supreme Court takes 1 working day. If your country needs MOFA verification, allow 2 working days. UAE residents need an additional 3 working days for the embassy stamp. If you leave before the process is complete, we courier the documents to you by DHL.
What if I am missing one of the documents?
Send us an email before you travel. Depending on which document is missing and why, there are often solutions. We work through these situations regularly, it is not always a reason to postpone.
Is my Seychelles marriage certificate valid in my home country?
Yes, in all 124 Hague Convention member countries. For countries outside the convention, you need a MOFA stamp, which we arrange. Some countries, including the UAE, also require an embassy stamp, which we handle as part of the process.
Ready to check your documents?
Send us your scanned copies and we will confirm within 24 hours whether everything is in order. If something is missing or needs attention, we will tell you exactly what to do next. Check your documents with us →
