Getting married abroad. What you need to know.

Rules for safe travel abroad for the purpose of acquaintance or marriage. (Select a country for details)

When traveling abroad for the purpose of acquaintance through Belarusian marriage agencies, you must take into account that agencies must have a special permit (license) for activities related to the collection and dissemination of information about individuals for the purpose of their acquaintance, issued by the Department of Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. As of November 5, 2013, ten dating agencies received such a license.

You can get information about the availability of a special license from the agency by phone: (8-017) 218-52-64 or check on the website www.mvd.gov.by

You must enter into an agreement with the agency for the provision of intermediary services to facilitate acquaintance, which will clearly define the rights and obligations of the agency and the client.

A marriage agency or dating agency is obliged to provide the Ministry of Internal Affairs with data on individuals who have traveled abroad for the purpose of acquaintance, as well as to provide information on the non-return of an individual from abroad within ten days from the expected date of his return to the Republic of Belarus.

SAFE TRAVEL RULES

1. Purchase tickets in both directions (return ticket with an open date).

2. Have funds for financial independence.

3. Make photocopies of all documents and leave one copy at home.

4. Know the exact address and phone number of the acquaintance (groom), leave this information for relatives, call home regularly, agree on a code phrase in advance.

5. Keep your passport with you, do not give it to anyone under any pretext.

6. If you are traveling for the purpose of acquaintance, then you do not have the right to work (except in cases where you have a work visa).

7. Know the phone numbers of the embassy or consulate of the Republic of Belarus or the Russian Federation in the host country,

non-governmental organizations that provide assistance abroad.

8. Know the emergency hotline number. Leave the same phone number with your family.

Marriage conclusion

A marriage can be concluded both on the territory of the Republic of Belarus and abroad.

1. In order to enter into a marriage on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, a foreign citizen must submit the following documents to the registry office: - a national passport registered with the internal affairs body, translated and notarized; - a certificate issued by the competent state authority or the consulate of the state confirming that he is not married or that the marriage has been terminated, translated and legalized- if necessary, a marriage license from the competent authority of the State of which the foreign citizen is a national.

2. A marriage may also be concluded in a neutral country – at the consulate or embassy of the Republic of Belarus. If there is no Belarusian Embassy, contact the Russian Embassy.

3. After marriage in the Republic of Belarus, an apostille should be affixed to the marriage certificate in the Consular and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and translated into the language of the spouse's country of residence.

4. The passport of a person traveling abroad for the purpose of marriage must contain a bride's visa, a family reunification visa, or any other visa provided for by the migration legislation of the country of entry (possibly a guest visa). An employee of the embassy of the country where the citizen is going will help you to consult on the types of visa.

5. In each specific case, clarify the legislation of foreign countries regarding documents for marriage on their territory, as they vary.

6. The marriage legislation of the country where the citizen is traveling should be clarified, including the rights of joint children and the rights in case of divorce.

7. A citizen who wants to marry a foreigner needs to get more information about his future spouse. You should pay attention to whether he has a permanent job; whether he has been married before and how many times; whether his previous marriage was officially dissolved (divorce and separation are different things).

8. A фиктивный marriage in most foreign countries is a crime, and if proven, you may be deported. While staying abroad, you must remember: - you should not give your passport to anyone; - if necessary, you can provide your passport details without presenting the document itself (in the form of a photocopy); - in case of theft of your documents, immediately contact the police and the embassy of the Republic of Belarus; - try not to put yourself in a dependent position in front of anyone by accepting gifts or borrowing money; - keep in touch with your relatives and friends periodically, informing them of any changes in your stay; - if necessary, contact the embassy or consulate of the Republic of Belarus or the police of the country in which you are located.