Marriage and Divorce Certificate Translation in Georgia: What You Need and How Long It Takes
Marriage and divorce certificate translation in Georgia: apostille or translation first, how names must match passports, what offices ask for, price and timing.
- marriage certificate translation Georgia
- divorce certificate translation Tbilisi
Contents
A marriage certificate translation is needed whenever a marriage registered in one country has to count in another: a family reunification visa, a residence permit, a name change, or registering a foreign marriage in Georgia. A divorce certificate follows the same rules, and is usually needed before you can remarry abroad or change your name back.
This guide explains the order of the steps, what the translation has to contain, and what Georgian offices ask for. The general rules of notarization are in our guide to notarized translation in Georgia.
When you need the translation
- Using a Georgian certificate abroad: spouse and family visas, residence permits, name changes, joint property
- Using a foreign certificate in Georgia: registering the marriage or divorce in the Georgian civil registry, residence permits, notary deals
- Getting married in Georgia as a foreigner: a previous divorce certificate proves you are free to marry
- Divorce certificate: remarriage, returning to a previous surname, custody and maintenance cases
Apostille first, then translation
The order matters, because the apostille has to be translated too.
A Georgian certificate for use abroad
- Get the apostille on the Georgian certificate at the Public Service Hall.
- Translate the certificate together with the apostille into the language of the country.
- Have the translator's signature notarized.
- Ask the receiving office whether it also wants an apostille on the notarized translation. Some countries do.
A foreign certificate for use in Georgia
- Get the apostille (or consular legalization) in the country that issued the certificate. It cannot be done in Georgia.
- Translate the certificate and its apostille into Georgian.
- Have the translation notarized in Georgia.
Step-by-step details are in our apostille guide.
What the translation must contain
Both spouses' names as in their passports
Each spouse's name keeps the spelling from their own passport, including a surname before and after marriage. If the names in the translation and the passports differ by one letter, the application can come back.
Every field, number and stamp
The registry entry number, issuing office, dates and places, stamps and signature notes are all translated. Offices compare the translation with the original line by line.
Old and Soviet-era certificates
An old-format certificate can be translated, but some offices abroad find it hard to read. If yours is old or damaged, consider getting a new-format repeat certificate at the Public Service Hall first.
What to prepare, by situation
| Situation | What you usually need |
|---|---|
| Spouse visa or residence permit abroad | Georgian certificate + apostille + notarized translation |
| Registering a foreign marriage in Georgia | Foreign certificate apostilled abroad + notarized Georgian translation |
| Marrying in Georgia after a divorce abroad | Apostilled divorce certificate + notarized Georgian translation |
| Changing your surname back after a divorce | Divorce certificate, translated for the office that holds your records |
For marriage registration at the Public Service Hall, every document except the passport must be submitted as a notarized copy. We can prepare the notarized copies together with the translations.
Price and turnaround
A marriage or divorce certificate is usually one page, plus one for the apostille. Translation from English or Russian costs 22.5 ₾ per page; other languages are on our prices page. Notary certification is added on top, and the price calculator shows the total before you order. One or two certificates are usually ready the same day.
Frequently asked questions
- Do both spouses need to come?
- No. Neither of you has to come: send a photo or scan, and anyone can collect the paper translation.
- Is the apostille translated too?
- Yes. The apostille is part of the document, so it is translated and notarized together with the certificate.
- Can you translate a divorce court decision as well as the certificate?
- Yes. Some offices want the court decision instead of, or as well as, the certificate. We translate both; ask the office which one it needs.
- Can I use the same translation in two countries?
- Only if both accept the same language. Each country usually wants a translation into its own official language.
- How long is a notarized translation valid?
- The translation itself has no expiry date, but some offices only accept documents issued in the last few months. Check with the office before you order.
Summary
A marriage or divorce certificate is translated after it is apostilled, and the apostille is translated with it. Names must match each spouse's passport, and every field and stamp is included. Send a photo of the certificate and its apostille, and the notarized translation is usually ready the same day.