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Planning to tie the knot in Fiji? You will find here the information on everything you need to know, from applying for marriage to obtaining your signed marriage certificate. Ensuring all paperwork is in order is crucial for legal compliance, and we’re here to guide you through the process.

Firstly, it’s important to note that marriages in Fiji are legally recognized worldwide. You won’t need to repeat the ceremony in your home country to formalize your union.

Following your wedding ceremony, you’ll receive an official marriage certificate, which holds the same legal status as any other marriage certificate worldwide.

Applying for your marriage license:

To initiate the process, you’ll need to submit certified copies of the following documents to a Births, Deaths & Marriages office in Fiji. We recommend completing this step at least 2 months in advance to avoid last-minute rushes:

What you’ll need for both partners:

1. Birth Certificates
2. Valid Passports
3. Divorce Certificates (if applicable)
4. Death Certificate of Previous Spouse (if applicable)
5. Certificate of Single Status or Certificate of No Legal Impediment
6. Passport Photos

Once you have these documents ready, you can proceed to apply for your marriage license.

How to apply for a marriage license in Fiji:

All overseas marriage applicants are required by law to obtain and sign a Marriage License from a marriage registry or district office before the ceremony.

Special Marriage License applications can be obtained from Registries located in Suva, Lautoka, Labasa, and various District Registries.

Submit scanned copies of all required documents well in advance to the designated BDM offices. Upon your arrival in Fiji, both partners must visit the office in person, bringing along all original documents for license completion.

The Registry offices operate from 8:00 am to 3 or 4:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays, and remain closed on weekends and public holidays.

Once issued, the marriage license is valid for 28 days from the date of issue, during which the marriage ceremony must be conducted. The Marriage Officer/Celebrant will verify the license’s validity on the ceremony day.

Suva: Address: Ground Floor, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade, Suva Phone: (+679) 3315 280 Email: m.sotutu@justice.gov.fj

Sigatoka Address: Keasuna Building, Sigatoka Phone: (+679) 6500 954 Email: kulae.nalatu@govnet.gov.fj

Nadi Address: GT Plaza, Vunavou Cresent, Nadi Town Phone: (+679) 670 0312 Email: krishna.naicker@justice.gov.fj Lautoka Address: Level 1, Westfield Mall, Tukani Street,

Lautoka Phone: (+679) 666 5133 Email: kailash.bhoosan@justice.gov.fj

You can also read Tourism Fiji article on the matter.

How far in advance should I arrive in Fiji to get married?

While there’s no legal requirement for a specific number of days in advance, we recommend arriving at least 3 working days before your wedding. This allows ample time to visit the BDM office and ensure all details are in order.

Can I bring my own celebrant?

According to Fijian law, only local celebrants are permitted to officiate marriages. However, arrangements can be made for overseas celebrants to participate in vows and ring blessings, with the Fijian celebrant solemnizing the marriage and signing the certificate.

For Catholic marriages, couples should bring their Baptism Certificate and written confirmations from their parish priest, and arrange a meeting with the local Catholic priest.

The marriage certificate:

All registered marriage certificates are forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs to obtain an Apostille Seal, confirming the marriage’s legality and international recognition.

Two witnesses over 21 years of age must be present at the ceremony. If traveling alone, most resorts can provide witnesses upon request.

Single Status Certificates:

A Single Status Certificate verifies that you’ve not been previously married during a specified period, typically from 18 years of age. This certificate is usually required for both parties intending to marry.

You can apply for a Single Status certificate in person or online (via Births, Deaths and Marriages) in your home country. Certificates are typically issued by the Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages.

Who needs one:

A Certificate of Single status or Certificate of No Legal Impediment must be provided if: • The marriage involves non-residents marrying in Fiji • The marriage involves a non-resident marrying a local citizen • The marriage involves former citizens of Fiji with two years & above residency abroad.

Fiji previously did not require Single Status Certificates from certain countries. However, since 2017, it has become mandatory for all overseas marriage applicants wishing to marry in Fiji to provide a ‘Single Status Certificate,’ ‘Certificate of Search,’ or ‘Certificate of no Legal Impediment.'”

This revised version aims to enhance readability and clarity while retaining all essential information regarding the process of getting married in Fiji.

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