Civil Marriage Ceremonies in Kuwait

CIVIL MARRIAGE CEREMONIES IN KUWAIT
 
Non-Muslims who would like to marry in Kuwait in a civil marriage ceremony must:
 
1.  Complete the attached "Free To Marry" affidavit form.  This form must be notarized by the Consul at the American Embassy (do not sign the affidavit until you appear in front of a Consular Officer). There is a fee of KD 9 for each document notarized by the Embassy.  To schedule an appointment to notarize your document please click here.

NOTE:  When two American citizens wish to marry, both are required to complete separate "Free to Marry" affidavits. When the marriage is between an American citizen and a foreign national, the American citizen will fill out the "Free to Marry" affidavit at the U.S. Embassy.  The foreign national must contact his/her Embassy to seek similar assistance.

2.  The Authentication Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait must then authenticate the "Free to Marry" affidavit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in Shuwaikh next to the Kuwait News Agency. The office is open from: 7:30 A.M. to 12 P.M., telephone: 243-0541. 

3.  Then  the "Free to Marry" affidavit must be translated into Arabic. The Embassy can provide a list of translators.

4.  Take the "Free to Marry" affidavit with the Arabic translation to the Office of the Public Notary in the Ministers Complex for the marriage ceremony. Address:  Murgab area, Ministries complex, ground floor, Block no. 15, room 25, telephone: 248-6444.  The office is open on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon. Two male witnesses are required.   Make sure that the witnesses carry either their passports or valid identifications (someone with a Kuwait civil ID is preferable) with them.  Take photocopies of the identifications for all parties involved.

SUGGESTED: Because the marriage contract is issued only in Arabic, you may wish to have it translated and authenticated for use outside Kuwait.  The American Embassy, cannot translate the document but will authenticate the signature of any of the listed translators for a fee of KD 9.

NOTE: When both parties are Muslim the "Free to Marry" Affidavit is not required.
Kuwait recognizes only the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish religions. Persons of other faiths cannot be married in a civil ceremony in Kuwait.

Kuwait                                    
City of Kuwait             
Embassy of the United States   
of America                              
 
 
Before me _______________________________  Consul of the United States of America in and for the  district of Kuwait duly commissioned and qualified, personally appeared _________________________who, being duly sworn, deposed and stated:
 
My name is                   ______________________________________
I reside                        ______________________________________
I was born on                __________________ in__________________
I intend to marry            ______________________________________
who is a _________________________ national.
 
I am a citizen of the United States of America.
I am not and I have not been previously married or:
I have previously been married to ____________________________
a citizen of______________________________ the marriage was terminated by ______________________________ as evidenced by ____________________
 
I am not related to my intended spouse by blood or marriage.
I know of no objection or impediment to marriage with the person named above.
I am free from infectious and venereal diseases.
If subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Army, Navy or Air force, I have informed my chain of command.
                       
                       
                                                            _______________________________
                                                                        Signature of Affiant
 
 
subscribed and sworn before me this ______day of ________________, 200__
for the contents of the foregoing document I assume no responsibility.
 
 
 
                                                            ________________________________
                                                            Consul of the United States of America