Can foreigners get married in Croatia?
Yes, foreigners can legally get married in Croatia, and many do, thanks to its stunning coastline, historic towns, and romantic Mediterranean charm.
Whether you're both non-Croatian citizens or one of you is a local, you're welcome to have a legally recognised marriage in Croatia. Unlike when getting married in Portugal, where the process can sometimes feel more rigid for non-residents, Croatia offers a variety of ceremony options.
You can choose between a civil, religious, or symbolic ceremony. Civil ceremonies are legally binding and performed by a registrar, while religious ceremonies (such as Catholic weddings) can also have legal standing if certain requirements are met.
That said, there are a few formalities to keep in mind. You’ll need to provide the right documents, many of which must be officially translated into Croatian and legalised (or apostilled) depending on the country they’re from. Processing times and requirements can also vary depending on where you're getting married.
If you’re not fluent in Croatian, you'll also need to arrange for an official interpreter to be present at the ceremony, especially if it's a civil one.
So while it’s very possible, and many foreigners do it every year, you’ll want to start early, gather the right documents, and make sure you meet Croatia’s legal requirements. Once that’s done, you’re free to enjoy the fun part: choosing the perfect location, flowers, music, and celebrating your love in one of Europe’s most beautiful settings.
Types of marriage in Croatia
You can choose between three main types of marriage ceremonies: civil, religious, and symbolic. Both civil and religious marriages are legally recognised, while symbolic weddings are purely celebratory but more popular among international couples.
Civil marriage
A civil marriage is conducted by a registrar at the local town hall (Matični Ured) or another approved venue. Many couples choose this option because it’s straightforward and gives you flexibility in where the ceremony can take place. This type of marriage is the go-to choice for foreign couples who may not belong to a local religious community.
Religious marriage
Religious weddings are also common in Croatia within the Roman Catholic Church, which is the dominant faith. A Catholic ceremony usually takes place in a church and follows religious traditions. Other recognised faiths, such as Orthodox, Muslim, and Protestant communities, can also conduct legally valid weddings. In most cases, couples will need to provide additional paperwork, like baptism certificates or proof of religious affiliation, alongside the standard civil documents.
Symbolic wedding
A symbolic wedding isn’t legally binding, but it’s a beautiful way to celebrate your wedding in Croatia without lots of paperwork. You can choose this option if you’ve already completed the legal side of marriage in your home country. You have all the freedom to customise your wedding how you’d like. You can exchange vows on a beach at sunset or celebrate in a vineyard or castle. Whatever you want to do to make the day truly personal.
Which should you choose?
For many foreigners, a civil marriage is the most practical option, as it’s recognised internationally and easier to arrange.
If faith is important in your life, a religious ceremony offers tradition and meaning, though it may involve extra paperwork. On the other hand, if you’d rather avoid the administrative process in Croatia but still want a dream celebration, a symbolic wedding gives you the best of both worlds.
Is a Croatian marriage legally recognised abroad?
If you marry in Croatia and follow the correct legal process, other countries will generally recognise your marriage. Croatia is a signatory to international agreements that ensure legal marriages in the country are recognised abroad, provided they comply with Croatian law.
That said, recognition isn't automatic everywhere. Each country sets its own rules for recognising foreign marriages, and your marriage must meet both Croatia's legal requirements and those of the country where you want it recognised. This means you should check the documentation requirements in your home country before relying on your Croatian marriage certificate abroad.
In some cases, you'll need extra steps to make your marriage valid in another country. If that country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you'll likely need an apostille for your Croatian marriage certificate. This is a special stamp that confirms the document is genuine and was issued by the correct authority. If your destination country isn't part of this convention, you may need full legalisation instead. This usually involves authentication by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant embassy. Some countries also require you to register your foreign marriage with a local civil registry before they'll recognise it for legal purposes like taxes, inheritance, or family matters.
Legal requirements for getting married in Croatia
The process of getting married in Croatia is pretty straightforward once you know what’s required, but it does involve some paperwork, especially if you’re coming from abroad.
Here’s what is typically required;
Valid passports: You and your partner must each have a valid passport or national ID card.
Birth certificates: You’ll need original or certified copies. In most cases, these must be translated into Croatian by a certified translator.
Certificate of no impediment (or equivalent): This document proves that you’re legally free to marry. The name and process may vary by country, but it’s required.
Proof of marital status: If either of you was previously married, you’ll need divorce papers or a death certificate of the former spouse to show that you’re free to marry again.
Application at the registrar’s office (Matični ured): Civil marriages in Croatia are handled by the registrar. You’ll need to submit your paperwork there in advance, usually at least 30 days before the wedding date.
Translations and apostilles: Most foreign documents must be translated into Croatian and may require an apostille stamp for international recognition.
Witnesses: Two witnesses (over 18, with valid IDs) are required at your wedding ceremony. They can be friends, family, or even locals.
The exact requirements can vary slightly depending on your nationality and where in Croatia you plan to marry. It’s best to contact the local registrar in your chosen city or town early on to confirm what is required. This way, you won’t face last-minute surprises.
Required documents to get married in Croatia as a foreigner
Getting married in Croatia as a foreigner is entirely possible, but you’ll need to prepare some paperwork in advance. The exact list may vary depending on your nationality, but most couples are asked to provide the following:
Valid passports or national ID cards to confirm your identity and nationality.
Birth certificates, original or certified copies, translated into Croatian.
Certificate of No Impediment (or equivalent): Proof from your home country that you are legally free to marry.
Proof of marital status: Divorce decree absolute or a death certificate of a previous spouse if you’ve been married before.
Residency details: If you live in Croatia, you may need to show proof of address.
Witness information: Details and identification for two witnesses who must be present at your ceremony.
Most foreign documents need to be officially translated into Croatian by a certified translator. At the same time, some documents may also require an apostille stamp or legalisation, depending on where they were issued.
Residency and registrar requirements
Croatia allows foreigners to get married there, regardless of whether they live in Croatia as full-time residents. You and your partner will need to meet the registrar in person three days before the ceremony, along with a court translator if one of you isn't Croatian. This meeting is your last chance to check that all your details are accurate, and you'll sign your formal intention to marry at this point.
You'll need to be present to notify the registrar of your intention to marry, attend the pre-wedding confirmation meeting, and handle document submissions. This means that arriving only a day or two before the ceremony is risky. You must notify the registrar 30-45 days before the wedding date of your intention to marry, and it's best to have all your documents ready when you do this. In some cases, you can apply earlier, but not sooner than 90 days in advance, and only if you have a justified reason, such as pregnancy. The registrar decides whether your reason qualifies, so don't assume an early date will be approved automatically.
To schedule your appointment, you'll need to contact the registrar's office, known locally as the Matični ured, in the area where you plan to marry. You can find the appropriate Matični ured office by selecting the county first, then the city. Notification of your intention to marry must usually be made in person. However, some offices may accept notification by phone or email, depending on the office and staff member you're dealing with. Once you've submitted your documents and given notice, the registrar typically needs the full 30-to-45-day window to process your application and prepare the legal paperwork for your wedding. This timeline allows them to verify your documents and confirm everything is in order before the ceremony.
Interpreter requirements for foreign couples
Croatian law requires that both spouses fully understand what's being said during the official ceremony, so a translator must be present any time one or both partners aren't fluent in Croatian.
The interpreter requirement applies at two key moments: the confirmation meeting with the registrar, and the ceremony itself. The interpreter’s job is to make sure you understand every part of the legal process, from checking your intention-to-marry paperwork to following along with the registrar's words during the ceremony. Even if you understand some Croatian, the registrar's office will still expect a qualified interpreter if either spouse isn't a native or fluent speaker of Croatian.
This interpreter must be a court-authorised translator, known in Croatia as a "sudski tumač." Court-authorised interpreters are officially certified by the Croatian judicial system, meaning they've passed the required exams and met the legal standards to interpret in formal settings such as weddings. Their certification gives their work legal weight, so the registrar's office will only accept interpretation from someone holding this qualification.
This means family members or friends can't act as interpreters, even if they're fluent in both languages.
Document translation & legalisation process
One of the most important steps when preparing for your wedding in Croatia is making sure your paperwork is both translated and legally recognised. Because your documents were likely issued abroad, Croatian authorities require them to be in the local language and validated for international use.
Certified translations
Most foreign documents, such as birth certificates, certificates of no impediment, or divorce papers, must be officially translated into Croatian. These translations need to be done by a certified (sworn) translator, not just anyone fluent in the language. Certified translations include a signed statement confirming the translation's accuracy, which ensures that the registrar or church will accept it.
Apostille or legalisation
Many documents also require an apostille stamp (under the Hague Convention) or legalisation. This stamp is issued by the competent authority in your home country and proves that your document is genuine. Without it, Croatian authorities may not accept the paperwork, even if it’s been translated.
For example, let’s say you are getting married in Croatia from the UK and need to obtain an apostille for your documents. In the UK, apostilles are issued by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Here’s what to do next;
Send your original document to the Legalisation Office by post.
They will attach an apostille confirming that the signature, stamp, or seal on your document is genuine.
Translate the documents into Croatian by a certified translator. Translayte offers fast, accurate, 100% guaranteed, certified document translation into Croatian for your marriage application.
Submit the translated & apostilled document to the registrar in Croatia.
Start this process early. Getting apostilles can take several weeks, depending on your country, and Croatian authorities won’t accept incomplete paperwork.
Apostille vs legalisation: What’s the difference?
An apostille is a special stamp or certificate that authenticates your document for international use. But you only need it if your country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. If your country is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents must be legalised instead. The process to legalise your document is more complex:
First, certify your document by the relevant authority in your home country.
Submit it to your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authentication.
Finally, submit it to the Croatian embassy or consulate for legalisation before it can be accepted in Croatia.
Steps for getting married in Croatia
Getting legally married in Croatia is straightforward once you know the order of things. Here’s a simple, start-to-finish guide for foreign couples.
1. Decide your ceremony type
A civil wedding is legally binding and conducted by a registrar. A religious wedding is also legally binding when performed by a recognised church or faith and registered with the state. If you’d prefer to skip the paperwork in Croatia, you can opt for a symbolic wedding.
2. Choose your location and contact the right office
For civil weddings, you’ll need to get in touch with the local registrar (Matični Ured) in your chosen town or city to ask about dates, fees, and the required paperwork. If you’re having a religious wedding, you’ll contact the church or faith community where you want to marry to confirm their requirements and how they’ll register the marriage with the state.
3. Gather your documents
This usually includes passports or ID cards, birth certificates, a certificate of no impediment (or equivalent), and, if applicable, divorce decrees or death certificates. Depending on your country, some documents may need an apostille or legalisation, and all in a foreign language will need certified Croatian translations by a sworn translator.
4. Submit your application
For civil ceremonies, this means filing your application with the registrar and requesting your preferred date and time. Many offices ask for a 30-day notice, though this can vary by municipality. For religious weddings, you’ll provide the church with both your civil paperwork and any additional religious documents, such as baptism certificates, parish permissions, or proof of completing premarital classes.
5. Confirm fees, venue, and add-ons
Marriage fees vary by municipality, and prices are usually higher on weekends, holidays, or for off-site venues such as beaches, villas, or gardens. If you’d like your civil ceremony in a historic or outdoor location, the registrar must approve it, and there may be an additional fee for the service.
6. Arrange witnesses and an interpreter
Every ceremony requires two witnesses aged 18 or older, each of whom must present valid identification. If neither of you speaks Croatian, a court-appointed interpreter must be present for the ceremony and sometimes for a pre-ceremony interview, to ensure the process is legally valid.
7. Attend the pre-ceremony check
Some registrars or religious institutions will invite you for a short appointment before the wedding. This is to verify your documents, finalise details such as names and wording, and confirm ceremony arrangements, including music, readings, and the order of service for religious weddings.
8. The ceremony day
On the day of your wedding, bring original IDs for both you and your witnesses, and your interpreter if required. The registrar or celebrant will conduct the ceremony, after which you, your partner, and the witnesses will sign the marriage record.
9. Receive your marriage certificate
After the ceremony, your marriage will be registered. You can then request your official marriage certificate. Since your marriage was done in Croatia, your marriage certificate will likely be in Croatian.
10. Post-marriage documentation
After your wedding in Croatia, you may need to register your marriage with your local authorities or the Croatian embassy. If you plan to use your marriage certificate abroad, check whether you need an apostille and a certified translation.
Marriage certificate recognition and registration abroad
Once your wedding in Croatia is over, you still have to obtain the official Croatian marriage certificate from the registrar's office where you married. The registrar will prepare this document after your ceremony, and you should request multiple certified copies, since different institutions abroad may each need their own original.
In the UK, you generally don't need to register your Croatian marriage with any authority for it to be legally recognised. The UK recognises marriages performed legally abroad. However, you'll still need your certified translation and apostille if you want to update your name on official documents such as your passport or driving license.
In the USA, there's no federal marriage registry, so you typically don't need to register your Croatian marriage at a national level. Instead, you'll use your apostilled and translated certificate to update records with agencies like the Social Security Administration, the DMV, or your employer.
In Canada, requirements depend on the province, but you generally don't need to re-register a foreign marriage for it to be valid. You'll use your translated and apostilled certificate to update your name with provincial agencies or federal bodies such as the Canada Revenue Agency.
In Australia, foreign marriages are generally recognised automatically if they were valid where they took place. But you'll need your certified translation and apostille on hand for tasks such as updating your name with Medicare or the Australian Taxation Office.
In EU countries, the process varies more by member state. Some countries require you to register your foreign marriage with a local civil registry before it's reflected in your national records, particularly if you want to update your civil status documents or family register.
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