Tia
I am to marry an Egyptian in June 2015 and I am a UK citizen (non Muslim). The following is from the British Embassy. You will need to visit the Embassy first and get a certificate of non impediment.
CIVIL MARRIAGES IN EGYPT
THE FOLLOWING NOTES ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE AND ARE INTENDED ONLY AS A GUIDE. FURTHER ADVICE SHOULD BE SOUGHT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE NOTARY PUBLIC OR A LAWYER.
The onus of ensuring that you are free to contract a marriage rests with the parties themselves. Consular Officers cannot issue any document, which will facilitate a marriage that would not be valid in Britain. Additional documentation may be requested in order to satisfy the Consular Officer to issue a Statutory Declaration.
BRITISH COUPLES
British couples wishing to marry in Egypt have to satisfy the Egyptian authorities that they are free to marry.
They should, therefore:
(1) Book an appointment
(2) Come to the Consular Section of the Embassy in Egypt to make statutory declarations, before a consular officer, that they are free to marry.
The documents required by the consular officer are the following:
ports as proof of identity
Documentary evidence of the termination of any former marriage(s). For example, divorce (decree absolute) certificates and change of name deed or, if appropriate the death certificate of a deceased spouse - see also further advice below.
Consular fees no 2(i) (Sterling £ 45.00=L.E 520) and 4 (Sterling £ 55.00 = L.E 635) are payable in Egyptian Pounds at the current rate of exchange for each declaration.
PLEASE NOTE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS MUST BE PRODUCED PHOTOCOPIES CANNOT BE ACCEPTED
(3) Statutory declarations have to be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for the Consular Officer's signature and stamp to be legalised (the fee is approximately 22 Egyptian Pounds per document).
Address: Ahmed Orabi Street, Mohandessin, Giza
Tel: 02 33033460 (opening hours from 9:00-15:00 Sunday to Thursday)
(4) The couple can then go to the Notary Public's Office at Ministry of Justice Annex for a civil marriage.
Address: Lazoghly Square, 4th Floor, Cairo
Tel: 02 27945192-27941659 (opening hours from 9:00-16:00 Sunday to Thursday)
The documents required by the Notary Public Office are the following:
ports
5 photographs each (size 4x6cm)
Evidence of termination of any previous marriage or change of name (as described above)
2 male witnesses (with proof of identity)
A ed interpreter (the proceedings will be conducted in Arabic)
Medical certificates for both parties from a government hospital to the effect that both parties are qualified physically for marriage
A stamp from the post office called the ‘family rights stamp’
2 photocopies of all documents provided
MARRYING AN EGYPTIAN/NON-BRITISH MAN OR WOMAN
When a British citizen wishes to marry an Egyptian man or woman.
(1) The British party only needs to make a Statutory Declaration at the Embassy.
The documents required by the Consular Officer are the following:
ports as proof of identity
If appropriate, documentary evidence of the termination of any former marriages - decree absolute certificates and change of name deed. If appropriate, the death certificate of a deceased spouse
The Egyptian party will also need to present his/her current Egyptian ID card and show that they are not in any existing marriage i.e. are single, widowed or divorced. In Egypt there are varying degrees or types of divorce. The only one acceptable to a Consular Officer is an irrevocable divorce. Where either party has been married more than once they must show termination of each marriage.
Consular fees no 2(i) (Sterling £ 45.00 =L.E 520) and 4 (Sterling £ 55.00= L.E 635) payable in Egyptian Pounds.
PLEASE NOTE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS MUST BE PRODUCED PHOTOCOPIES CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED
(2) The statutory declaration has to be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at for the consular officer's signature and stamp to be legalised (the fee is approximately 22 Egyptian pounds per document).
Address: Ahmed Orabi Street, Mohandessin, Giza
Tel: 02 33033460 (opening hours from 9:00-15:00 Sunday to Thursday)
(3) The couple can then go to the Notary Public's Office at Ministry of Justice Annex for a civil marriage.
Address: Lazoghly Square, 4th Floor, Cairo
Tel: 02 27945192-27941659 (opening hours from 9:00-16:00 Sunday to Thursday)
The documents required by the Egyptian Civil Registry Office are as follows:
ports (The Egyptian party will also need to present his/her current Egyptian ID card)
5 photographs each (size 4x6 cm)
Evidence of termination of any previous marriage or change of name
2 male witnesses (with proof of identity),
A ed interpreter (the proceedings will be conducted in Arabic)
Medical certificates for both parties from a government hospital to the effect that both parties are qualified physically for marriage
A stamp from the post office called the family rights stamp
2 photocopies of all documents provided
(The Notary Public's Office is closed Fridays or Saturdays and public holidays). There is no residency requirement but the parties must have valid immigration conditions in their ports.
DIVORCED OR WIDOWED WOMEN
Under the Egyptian law, a divorced or widowed woman - of whatever religion or nationality - must observe a period of waiting (known as the Eddah) before she may marry again. Hence, a Notary Public, before performing a civil marriage, is required to satisfy himself that a period of at least 3 months has elapsed in the case of a divorced woman since the termination of the previous marriage. In the case of a pregnant divorcee, however, the period ends with the birth of the child. A widow wishing to marry again must observe a minimum period of waiting of 4 months and 10 days from her divorce.
NOTE: Notary Public Offices in Egypt may refuse to accept the validity of a divorce between a woman and a Muslim man when the marriage has been terminated by a non-Muslim authority, e.g. a British court. Those affected should seek legal advice.
VALIDITY OF FOREIGN LAW MARRIAGES
The validity under English law of foreign law marriages is not a matter on which the Embassy can give authoritative advice. It is a matter for British courts to decide. Should you wish further advice on this point, or any other point of law, a solicitor should be consulted.
CONSULAR FEES
All Consular Fees must be paid in Egyptian pounds or Credit/Debit card.
IN LINE WITH THE EGYPTIAN REGULATIONS, THE STATUTORY DECLARATION IS ONLY VALID FOR ONE MONTH FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE.
Consular Section
British Embassy
Ahmed Ragheb Street
Garden City
Cairo
