These are the general paperwork requirements for foreigners to be civilly married in Croatia.
The civil ceremony is recited in Croatian, by law, an official court interpreter will simultaniously translate the ceremony text.
The symbolic ceremony is in your chosen language, you can choose between English, Spanish, German, Croatian or Dutch.
By law, the registrars in Croatia have a set ceremony text which cannot be changed. You can add in your own vows but that's that.
The text of the symbolic ceremony is completely adaptable to suit your background and couple's history. We will send it to you for reviewing prior to the ceremony.
If you would not know it... you would not see or feel the difference. The symbolic ceremony is presided by an officiant, the bride will make her grand entrance, there are vows, the signing of the symbolic wedding certificate and music will complement the ceremony.
After reading our legal paperwork pages and the general procedures for civil weddings in Croatia, you will have figured out there are some things to be done in order to get legally married abroad. Not only will any wedding agency charge you more for a civil wedding package, you will also have to consider the extra paperwork costs which will occur in your own country.
When you choose for a symbolic ceremony, all those costs will not longer be applicable so you are saving not only money but also the paperwork-headache!
| Subject | The Civil Wedding in Croatia | The Symbolic Wedding in Croatia |
| Paperwork | Original documents have to be submitted in Dubrovnik at least 30 days before the wedding and cannot be older than 90 days (counting back from the wedding date). You have exactly 6 weeks to organise them, have the documents issued and have them stamped by court. | Couples usually get married in their country before or after the marriage. Paperwork is less and the procedure is cheaper. This is also the moment for couples to invite those guests that cannot come to Croatia, like sick family members or grandparents. By including them in this (smaller) event you allow them to participate. |
| Arrival in Dubrovnik | Plan to be in Croatia 2 days prior to the wedding to meet the registrar at city hall | There is no minimum requirement you have to be in the country |
| Duration of the ceremony | 5 - 7 min | 15 min |
| Flexibility | Religious elements may not be incorporated | You may incorporate religious songs, music, symbolism |
| Ceremony Language | The registrar speaks Croatian, all paragraphs are translated to English by a court translator | Can be English, Croatian, German, Spanish or Dutch... as per your choice |
| Symbolic elements | The ring exchange | The ring exchange, the giving of the rose to a VIP, the sand ceremony... |
| Ceremony wordings | May not be altered | Are completely adaptable |
| Witnesses | Two witnesses are required | Optional |
| Costs | City hall, court translator, issuing of documents in home country, apostille verification of documents | Officiant's fee |
| Wedding certificate | Will be issued in Croatian | Will be in your chosen language |
| Copies wedding certificate | If you need further copies of your wedding certificate they will have to be issued in Croatia | Since your legal wedding will be at home you can at any time get further copies there |
| Legalities | Your wedding in Croatia will be considered legal in your country | Your wedding in Croatia will not be considered legal, it remains a symbolic ceremony |
GOOD TO KNOW
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