MARRIAGES

Marriage between two Sri Lankan Citizens

  1. Both parties should produce an affidavit at the presence of Justice of Peace/Attorney at Law confirming their Unmarried status.
  2. This Unmarried Certificate/Affidavit should be endorsed by the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo 01, Sri Lanka
 

Marriage between a Sri Lankan citizen and non – Sri Lankan Citizen

  1. Bachelor Certificates should be obtained by the Sri Lanka Citizen (Procedure is same as the above.)
  2. The other party to the marriage is required to obtain a Bachelor Certificate from the Embassy of his/her country.

NOTE: If your marriage is registered in this Embassy and if you need to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate, you have to submit following documents with the relevant fee.

  1. Letter of Request (format  for  a copy of  a Marriage Certificate
  2. Application for obtaining a copy of a marriage certificate 
  3. Copy of current Passport and visa

 

To register your marriage in Sri Lanka you have to submit the following documents

  1. An affidavit/ unmarried status certificate (notary certified English translation) (These documents are valid only for 06 months from the date of issue)
  2. Birth Certificate (Original) (notary certified English translation)
  3. Valid Passports and visas of both parties (Originals)
  4. Divorce Certificate (Original) if the applicant is a divorcee (notary certified English translation).
  5. Death Certificate (Original) if the applicant’s previous spouse has expired (notary certified English translation).

 

If both parties are not Sri Lankan citizens, each party should submit an affidavit from a notary public or unmarried status certificate from the registration office of the relevant region, to confirm the marital status.

This affidavit/unmarried status certificate should be certified by the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the relevant country. For instance, if you are a Polish national, your affidavit/unmarried status certificate should be certified by the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Poland.

When you are hoping to register your marriage in Sri Lanka it is necessary to attest your affidavit/unmarried status certificate at this Embassy before using it in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan marriage certificates will be issued in English language for foreigners. Otherwise you have to get an English translation of it from a sworn translator. Also it should be submitted to the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka for endorsement (2nd Floor, Ceylinco Building, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 01).

To legalize your marriage certificate in your country, you have to legalize your marriage certificate in Sri Lanka at the Consular Department of the Embassy of the country of your origin. If your country does not have the Embassy in Sri Lanka, please, contact the Consular Division of the MFA of your country for clarify the legalization procedure in advance.