Congratulations! You're in love, you want to get married right here in Qatar. So this is the lowdown on what you have to do . . .
Getting married is no more complicated than most procedures here, but will involve trips to embassies, photocopying, the digging out of certificates and (for some faiths) the usual handful of passport sized photographs.
Your starting point must be your embassy – or embassies if you and your beloved are different nationalities. They should advise you on the procedures and what documents you require, but you may find they just refer you to one of the church ministers here.
Different countries' rules vary but be prepared to show birth certificates, any divorce papers, residents' permits, passports and so on. You may also have to swear a legal document, an affidavit, that there is no legal reason why you cannot marry
===============================
Catholic Church
===============
Weddings take place at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is over behind the E-Ring Rd Woqod petrol station.
The church holds up to 3,000 so you could easily invite everyone you know.
Both the bride and groom should be Catholics, but if one is not – but is a Christian – they may still be married if the priest is satisfied that the marriage is likely to be ‘happy and permanent'. He meets all couples who want to get married in the Catholic Church, where they must also attend a two-day marriage preparation course.
They need a minimum of three months notice prior to the marriage, but would prefer longer.
Anglican Weddings
=================
Anglican Church Wedding ceremonies take place in the Rectory Chapel, which can seat up to 25. It may be possible to be married at other suitable venues, but not outdoors.
Again, you need to give plenty notice before the wedding. Fr Bill Schwartz, who conducts the ceremonies, likes to meet every couple for several marriage preparation sessions, well before the actual ceremony.
At least one partner must be a baptised Christian.
To find out more visit the very helpful ‘Weddings in Qatar' section of www.Epiphany-Qatar.org, and then email Fr Bill on [email protected] or call 451 6798.
Muslim Marriage
===============
If two muslims want to get married they both have to go to the Sharia Court which is on Al Rayan Road. They need two witnesses to go with them. The woman must go with her father (or the man who is responsable of her, so that he can give his permission for her to marry) If he is not here, she has to get a letter from him saying that he agrees to her getting married.
Everyone just needs to bring their ID cards. If they don’t want to go to the court they can ask for the Sharia man to go to their home. This isn’t a problem and costs around 300 QR.
However, your best starting point for information is to visit the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (on Al Sadd St, at the Al Waab end). Take a native Arabic speaker with you, if you're not fluent yourself.
You could also try the Ministry of Justice (behind City Centre) – but you will also need to speak Arabic - and it is pretty chaotic here. The Ministry of Awqaf may be an easier place to start.
Update: As of December 2009 couples must also undergo a medical screening prior to getting married. You should allow plenty of time prior to the planned date of marriage as it can take one to three weeks for the results to come through. At the time of writing the medical tests can be completed in the following locations:
Airport Health Centre (Sunday 8am- 1pm, Monday 5pm to -10pm).
Al Rayyan Health Centre (Tuesday 8 am-1pm, Wednesday 5pm to 10pm).
Al Gharrafa Health Centre ( Monday 8am -1pm) West Bay Health Centre. (Thursday 8am- 1pm, Tuesday 5pm-10pm).
Al Khor Health Centre (Sunday 5pm to 10pm, Wednesday 8am-1pm).
Greek Orthodox church
Fr Makarios [email protected] www.qorthodox.org
Inter Denominational Church (Indian)
Call 4904232/4904233 www.mocdoha.org
Congratulations! You're in love, you want to get married right here in Qatar. So this is the lowdown on what you have to do . . .
Getting married is no more complicated than most procedures here, but will involve trips to embassies, photocopying, the digging out of certificates and (for some faiths) the usual handful of passport sized photographs.
Your starting point must be your embassy – or embassies if you and your beloved are different nationalities. They should advise you on the procedures and what documents you require, but you may find they just refer you to one of the church ministers here.
Different countries' rules vary but be prepared to show birth certificates, any divorce papers, residents' permits, passports and so on. You may also have to swear a legal document, an affidavit, that there is no legal reason why you cannot marry
===============================
Catholic Church
===============
Weddings take place at the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is over behind the E-Ring Rd Woqod petrol station.
The church holds up to 3,000 so you could easily invite everyone you know.
Both the bride and groom should be Catholics, but if one is not – but is a Christian – they may still be married if the priest is satisfied that the marriage is likely to be ‘happy and permanent'. He meets all couples who want to get married in the Catholic Church, where they must also attend a two-day marriage preparation course.
They need a minimum of three months notice prior to the marriage, but would prefer longer.
For more information visit www.RosaryQatar.net or call 490 1908.
Anglican Weddings
=================
Anglican Church Wedding ceremonies take place in the Rectory Chapel, which can seat up to 25. It may be possible to be married at other suitable venues, but not outdoors.
Again, you need to give plenty notice before the wedding. Fr Bill Schwartz, who conducts the ceremonies, likes to meet every couple for several marriage preparation sessions, well before the actual ceremony.
At least one partner must be a baptised Christian.
To find out more visit the very helpful ‘Weddings in Qatar' section of www.Epiphany-Qatar.org, and then email Fr Bill on [email protected] or call 451 6798.
Muslim Marriage
===============
If two muslims want to get married they both have to go to the Sharia Court which is on Al Rayan Road. They need two witnesses to go with them. The woman must go with her father (or the man who is responsable of her, so that he can give his permission for her to marry) If he is not here, she has to get a letter from him saying that he agrees to her getting married.
Everyone just needs to bring their ID cards. If they don’t want to go to the court they can ask for the Sharia man to go to their home. This isn’t a problem and costs around 300 QR.
However, your best starting point for information is to visit the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (on Al Sadd St, at the Al Waab end). Take a native Arabic speaker with you, if you're not fluent yourself.
You could also try the Ministry of Justice (behind City Centre) – but you will also need to speak Arabic - and it is pretty chaotic here. The Ministry of Awqaf may be an easier place to start.
Update: As of December 2009 couples must also undergo a medical screening prior to getting married. You should allow plenty of time prior to the planned date of marriage as it can take one to three weeks for the results to come through. At the time of writing the medical tests can be completed in the following locations:
Airport Health Centre (Sunday 8am- 1pm, Monday 5pm to -10pm).
Al Rayyan Health Centre (Tuesday 8 am-1pm, Wednesday 5pm to 10pm).
Al Gharrafa Health Centre ( Monday 8am -1pm) West Bay Health Centre. (Thursday 8am- 1pm, Tuesday 5pm-10pm).
Al Khor Health Centre (Sunday 5pm to 10pm, Wednesday 8am-1pm).
Greek Orthodox church
Fr Makarios
[email protected]
www.qorthodox.org
Inter Denominational Church (Indian)
Call 4904232/4904233
www.mocdoha.org