Ahmed Eissa received the
following letter from a nice lady who was going to marry in Egypt. This
information will help.
Hi Ahmed,
I just received
this document from the American Consular office in Cairo on what an American
needs to marry in Egypt. It also includes fees and locations of
offices. I hope this will help your website.
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 4:44 AM
To: Cairo, IRC Ref
Subject: American marriage to Egyptian information
Hello,
I plan to marry
in Cairo in early March 2007 for a destination wedding. I am working on
the proper authentication procedures at this time for old divorce decrees
through my local Secretary of State and Dept of State in Washington D.C.
I understand I only need these documents authenticated at the various levels
here in the states, translated, and show my passport.
Can I have them
translated here in the states to Arabic or do I have to wait until I am in
Cairo? Do I need to have my birth certificate translated or just show my
passport? Can I begin the approval process for the marriage while
stateside or must I wait until I am in Cairo? Do I only need these
authenticated, translated documents and my passport to marry my fiancée in
Cairo? How long does it take for the approval process in Cairo before we
can marry? Do I first go to the American Embassy in Cairo with all
of the documents or to an Egyptian legal office? I will be in Cairo
about a month.
I am an
American citizen and will be returning back home to the states afterward
the marriage to my business and family. My husband has his own
business in Cairo and will remain there. I will travel to visit him until
we work out the rest of the details with our businesses and families over the
next year. Would I be able to visit Cairo freely after the marriage to spend
time with my husband? My children are grown, so my travels are not a
problem.
If you cannot
answer these questions, do you know who I can speak with?
Thank you,
Mxxxxx Hxxxx
From: Habashy, Mervat F On Behalf Of Cairo,
IRC Ref
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9:03 AM
To: Consular, Cairo X
Subject: FW: American marriage to Egyptian information
Please help.
From: Consular, Cairo X
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 1:47 PM
To: Cairo, IRC Ref
Subject: RE: American marriage to Egyptian information
Dear Ms. Hxxxx
Below please
find the handout on marriage that will provide you with the information you
need. As an American citizen, you can get a one month visa at any
Egyptian airport for $ 15.00. After your arrival, if you want to stay for
more than one month, you may apply for another visa through the Egyptian
Immigration Office in Egypt.
Consular Staff
ACS Unit, Cairo,
Egypt
Cairo,
Egypt
MARRIAGE IN EGYPT
The
only legal marriage in Egypt is a civil ceremony performed at the local
marriage court, which is in accordance with Islamic practice. Persons wishing a
religious ceremony may arrange for one separately, but it is the civil ceremony
that establishes the legal marriage.
It
is possible for foreigners to marry in Egypt.
The following documents are required:
1.
Proof of identity (a passport), a photocopy of the data page and the Egyptian
entry visa and residency stamp. A photocopy of the Egy id
2.
fi Proof of termination of previous marriages is required. The original or a
certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate must be submitted
when applicant executes the approval of marriage.
3.
Sworn statements of the parties involved that they are free to marry, and that
they are of the Moslem, Christian, or Jewish faith. Interfaith marriages are
permitted except in the case of a Moslem woman and a non-Moslem man.
4.
A no-objection statement from the parties' Embassies. NOTE: this is a
formality required by the Egyptian government. It does not guarantee that the
U.S. Embassy will issue an immigrant visa to an alien spouse.
Items
3 and 4 are included in one document. The blank form is available from the
Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo (Sunday through Thursday, 8:00
a.m. to 12:00 noon). This document must be notarized by a U.S. Consul (notarial
fee is U.S. $30 or 180LE). It must then be certified at the Egyptian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs along with the proof of termination of any previous
marriages.
5.
Forms and questionnaires to be completed at the marriage court. These can only
be obtained on the spot on the wedding day or the day before. Applicants should
have original versions and photocopies of all documents, as well as notarized
Arabic translations for all documents not in the Arabic language. (Translations
should be done and certified by the Egyptian Embassy or Consulates in the U.S.
or the Egyptian Ministry of Justice in Cairo.)
Any two male witnesses with identification documents
(passport or I.D. card) must be present to sign the marriage documents. It
might be better to have your own witnesses, such as a travel agent or a friend.
A
routine physical performed by an Egyptian doctor is sometimes required.
Fees to complete the marriage at the Ministry of Justice:
If both parties are Moslems, the fee is two percent
of the dowry (not less than 40LE).
If both parties are Christians, a dowry is not
required, and they will pay only 40-45LE.
Total fees:
No-objection statement at the Embassy: $30 or
180LE.
Marriage fees.
Translation fees, plus authentication fees if
required.
The
marriage certificate is recognized as a legal document in the United States and
many other countries.
NOTE
To
use the marriage certificate in the U.S., it should be translated into English
by the Egyptian Ministry of Justice, authenticated by the Egyptian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and certified by a U.S. Consul.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Gameit el Dowal el Arabia Street, Mohandessin, Giza; Ahmed Said Street,
Abbassia; or Sabak Street next to the Maryland Gardens in Heliopolis.
Civil Marriage Registration Office: Ministry of Justice Annex (Office of Marriage of
Foreigners), 4th floor, Lazoughly Square, Abdin, Cairo. Open Saturday to
Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Thursday from
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Ministry of Justice's translation office: Ministry of Justice Building, 13th floor, Lazoughly
Square, Abdin, Cairo.
** It will take at
least two business days for a marriage certificate to be issued. This does not
include translation.
** Marriage
certificates should be picked up in person.
3/17/05 This was
received on January 16, 2007 from Consular Staff - ACS
Unit, Cairo, Egypt