How to Get Married in Tunisia as a Foreigner

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Topic: Family law

How to get married in Tunisia as a foreigner: documents, notaries or town hall, certificate of no impediment, mixed marriages and registering abroad.

To marry in Tunisia, each spouse usually needs an ID card or passport, a recent birth certificate, a premarital medical certificate and, if previously married, proof that the earlier marriage has ended. The marriage is concluded before two notaries (adouls) or before the civil registrar at the town hall, with two witnesses present. A foreign spouse also brings documents from their embassy, chiefly a certificate stating that there is no legal impediment to the marriage. Who performs the marriage: notaries or the town hall? Tunisian law gives you two options with the same legal value: Two notaries (adouls): they draw up the marriage contract and send it to be entered in the civil-status registers. This is popular because the ceremony can take place at home or at a wedding venue. The civil registrar: the mayor (president of the municipality) or a delegate, usually at the town hall, with the marriage recorded straight away. Either way, two trustworthy witnesses must be present. Afterwards, the town hall issues a marriage certificate extract , which is the document embassies and authorities will ask you for. Important: a marriage that is not concluded in the official form, sometimes called an "urfi" or customary marriage, is void under Tunisian law and can expose those involved to criminal penalties. Conditions for marriage, including for minors Before you collect documents, check the basic conditions: Consent: both spouses must agree. Age: as a rule, each spouse must be at least eighteen. Dowry (mahr): required for the marriage to be valid. It belongs to the wife, and the law sets no minimum amount. No legal impediment: for example a prohibited family relationship or an existing marriage. Polygamy is prohibited in Tunisia. A minor can only marry with a special authorisation from a judge, for serious reasons and in the clear interest of both spouses, with the consent of the guardian and the mother. It is an exception decided case by case. Marriage registration in Tunisia: documents for each spouse Requirements can vary between town halls and notaries, so call before you fix a date. The usual list: national ID card or passport; a recent birth certificate extract (ask the registrar or notary how recent it must be); a premarital medical certificate , issued by a doctor after an examination, required for each spouse; if previously married: the final divorce judgment or the former spouse's death certificate; ID for the two witnesses. Tip: don't lock in a wedding venue date until your file is complete, especially if some documents are coming from abroad. Certificate of no impediment and other documents for the foreign spouse On top of the list above, a foreign spouse is usually asked for: their passport and birth certificate, legalised or apostilled depending on their country; a certificate from their embassy or consulate confirming they are free to marry (called a certificate of no impediment, certificate of capacity to marry or certificate of custom, depending on the country); a certificate showing they are not bound by another marriage; Arabic translations of foreign documents, usually by a sworn translator; if divorced abroad, the divorce judgment, which may first need to be recognised in Tunisia. Ask a lawyer. Can a Tunisian woman marry a non-Muslim? The legal position: in September 2017, a Ministry of Justice circular abolished the 1973 circular that barred Tunisian Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men. A certificate of conversion to Islam is no longer a legal requirement. Reported practice: some couples still report refusals by individual notaries or registrars, and some published document lists still mention the conversion certificate. Ask in advance, and if you are refused without a legal basis, talk to a lawyer. Registering your Tunisian marriage abroad A marriage concluded in Tunisia usually has to be registered in the foreign spouse's country too, so it is recognised there, for example for a spouse visa. Each country has its own rules. Two examples: France (French rules): the French consulate usually issues a certificate of capacity to marry (CCAM) before the wedding, and afterwards the marriage is transcribed by the French central civil-status service in Nantes. Tunisians who marry abroad: the marriage should be transcribed at the Tunisian consulate so it appears in Tunisian civil-status records. UK, Canadian and other nationals should check their own government's guidance. Start early: skipping this step can block a family reunion application or a child's registration later. What goes in the contract: dowry and property regime The contract states the identity of the spouses and witnesses and the dowry. The couple can also choose a property regime: Separation of property is the default: each spouse keeps their own assets. Community of property is optional, and can be chosen in the marriage contract or later. This choice matters a great deal on divorce or death. See our guide on matrimonial property. Frequently asked questions Can a foreigner marry a Tunisian in Tunisia? Yes. The foreign spouse provides their passport, birth certificate, a certificate of no impediment from their embassy and sworn Arabic translations, plus the premarital medical certificate. Is an unregistered "urfi" marriage valid in Tunisia? No. A marriage not concluded before two notaries or the civil registrar is void and can lead to penalties. Does the foreign husband have to convert to Islam? Legally, no, since the 1973 circular was abolished in 2017. Practice can vary, so check with the notary or town hall in advance. Can we choose community of property after the wedding? Yes. It can be chosen when the marriage is concluded or later, following the formalities set by law. When should you talk to a lawyer? Most couples marry without a lawyer. Advice is worth getting if: one spouse is a foreign national or divorced abroad; the marriage is refused, or you are asked for a document the law does not require; you are considering community of property or own significant assets before marrying; the marriage must be recognised in another country for a visa or family reunion. The site's directory lets you find a lawyer registered with the ONAT (the Tunisian bar) in your city who handles family matters. This article gives general information and does not replace advice from a lawyer who looks at your own situation.

Last updated: 19 October 2026