Wedding in Norway or Georgia: where is it easier for foreigners to get married?

The dream of a wedding in the land of fjords and the Northern Lights easily shatters against the rocks of harsh Scandinavian bureaucracy. Norway is famous for its high standard of living, but its migration system regarding the registration of unions is one of the strictest in Europe. Checks for fictitious marriages, months of waiting, and stacks of paperwork force couples to look for alternatives. In this context, a wedding in Georgia has become an ideal solution for foreigners. Here, marriage registration is fast, comfortable, without queues and unnecessary questions.

The marriage process is regulated by several Norwegian government agencies. In Norway, Skatteetaten (the tax administration) and UDI (the Directorate of Immigration) are responsible for marriage registration. The main difficulty lies in the fact that the state views every union with a foreigner as a potential path to illegal migration.

Marriage between a Norwegian citizen and a foreigner: checks and waiting

Even if you are sincerely in love, the system treats you as a subject of thorough verification. To officially marry a Norwegian, foreign women go through a difficult path. A bride has to apply for a special fiancé visa (700-series) to travel to her own wedding in Norway. It is expensive, requires a huge package of documents, and does not guarantee a positive result.

To prevent sham marriages, the Norwegian UDI conducts checks. These can be interviews with both partners to determine the authenticity of their intentions. Future spouses are invited to different rooms where specialists ask them the same questions. Then the answers are compared. They can ask about anything: from the color of the partner’s hairbrush to the details of how they met. Waiting for marriage approval can take from 4 to 6 months. If additional clarifications are required, the period is extended.

Marriage registration for two foreigners: mission (almost) impossible

For two citizens of other countries without a residence permit, getting married in Norway is quite a difficult task. The main requirement is the legal stay of both partners in the country at the time of submitting the documents and the wedding ceremony itself. In addition, it is necessary to provide specific certificates from the countries of origin. These papers have a very short validity period. They must be legalized (apostilled) in the home country, and a professional translation must be done in Norway. It must be carried out only by an authorized translator, which will cost the newlyweds a pretty penny.

Norwegian law creates a number of obstacles for newlyweds. All paperwork goes through the tax office. If the slightest inaccuracy is found in the documents, the consideration of the case is suspended indefinitely. Norwegians who plan to later apply for a residence permit for a husband/wife through family reunification must confirm a high annual income (about 328,000 NOK). Another critical point that is often forgotten: a foreigner, until obtaining a residence permit, does not have the right to free healthcare. It is mandatory to take out international medical insurance, since any visit to a doctor in Norway without insurance will cost thousands of kroner.

Marriage registration in Norway – documents:

• international passports;
• birth certificates;
• certificate of no impediment to marriage (Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage) – it must be obtained in the country of citizenship no earlier than 4 months before submission;
• confirmation of legal stay on Norwegian territory – visa, residence permit, right to visa-free entry;
• for divorced partners – a divorce certificate or court decision (final, not subject to appeal);
• sometimes the tax office requires confirmation of the division of property with a previous partner (Skifte);
• for widows/widowers – a document confirming the death of the husband/wife;
• official forms filled out on the Skatteetaten website – Erklæring fra brudefolkene (from future spouses), Forlovererklæring (from two witnesses).

When a wedding in Norway becomes too complex and expensive a project for foreigners, Sakartvelo comes to the rescue. This is the country with the most liberal legislation in the world regarding marriage registration. You will need a minimal package of documents. Only international passports and their notarized translations into Georgian are required. Newlyweds from other countries can get married in Georgia in one day. You will arrive in the morning, submit an application to the Public Service Hall, and sign the papers in just a few hours.

Georgian law is not interested in your income, religion, or the length of your relationship. No checks or interviews with migration officers are conducted. After the wedding, you receive a marriage certificate, which is apostilled. This makes the document legally valid all over the world, including Norway. The Lotus Wedding agency will relieve you of all bureaucratic procedures. We will prepare your papers for submission to the registry office, invite witnesses, provide support during the marriage ceremony, and apostille the certificate.

Comparison table: Norway vs. Georgia

We invite you to choose a country for your marriage registration based on the information in the table. In it, we have indicated the characteristics that will help you decide.

If you value your time and nerves, Georgia is the best option to start your life together. While other couples struggle with the bureaucracy of the Nordic countries, you will already be able to apply for a residence permit based on a legal marriage. Our team will ensure that your wedding goes perfectly, without unnecessary certificates and endless waiting. Let’s start preparing for your wedding day right now – call or write to us. Contacts are listed on the agency’s website.