Legal Requirements For Weddings In The Republic Of Mauritius

Mauritius is one of the most popular exotic wedding destinations of the world.  Any couple from almost any country can engage into a legal wedlock on Mauritian soil.

But of course, like anywhere else, getting married entails essential legal paperwork, and this is where we intervene. We will make sure to do the hard work and finalize all the paperwork quickly and stress free, prior to your arrival in the country.

While copies may be used to initialize the formalities, you will need to bring with you all the originals of all the required documentation on arrival, and most importantly documents will need to be legally translated if they are not in English, the official language in Mauritius.

Do not worry! We will guide you throughout and will get everything organized for you.

The documents to be provided include:

• 2 Copies of passports
• 2 Copies of birth certificates
• 2 passport photos each
• Decree absolute (if divorced)
• Deed Poll (if name has changed)
• Death Certificate and previous marriage certificate if widowed

When to submit the first documents?

You will need a minimum of ten weeks before your arrival in Mauritius, to start formalities and send copies of all necessary documents (can be sent by email / post / fax) to us.

Non-English documentation must be translated into English and duly stamped. French passport holders and citizens, for instance, will need to submit their documentation at least 3 months prior to their arrival in Mauritius.

When should you arrive to Mauritius?

Some countries require the couple to be in the country at least two weeks before their marriage date. In Mauritius this not the case. You will only need to present for at least a day before your wedding day. However, this should happen on a working week day, not a public holiday, a Saturday or on a Sunday, so you can finalize all the local legal procedure before having the required papers for your Mauritian wedding.

Steps to finalize paperwork

In Mauritius, both of you will need to appear in four different offices in capital Port Louis, in order to complete the procedure. Don’t worry we will schedule everything to make it as seamless, and stress-free as possible for you both.

The four offices to be visited are:

1. Attorney at law – Documents will be checked, and the affidavits will be prepared
2. Civil Status main office Port Louis – Documents will be double checked and officially admitted
3. Supreme High Court of Mauritius – to solemnly swear affidavits. Dress code will be very important there. No shorts for men and arms covered for women (however no need for tie and suit smart/casual is acceptable). No children are allowed in the Supreme High Court of Mauritius.
4. Civil Status Sub Office – the last office to visit is the Civil Status Sub Office closest to your wedding venue for the publication of the wedding. At this point you will discuss the wedding time and vows with the civil status officer. The Civil Status Officer is the only mandated person to sign and issue marriage certificates.