Information for Travelers

Marriage in Albania

Foreign nationals in Albania may be married in a civil ceremony, religious ceremony, or both. However, the marriage is considered legal only when performed as a civil ceremony.

There are no residency requirements for foreign nationals to get married in Albania.

Here you will find a list of documents required by the Albanian authorities in order to perform the marriage, how this marriage is registered, and some legal concerns about marriage in Albania.

The Albanian authorities require U.S. citizens who wish to marry to provide written proof issued by the United States Embassy stating that there is no legal impediment to the marriage. The Consular Section of the US Embassy in Tirana has developed a document called Certificate of Birth and Freedom to Marry, which is a sworn statement notarized by a consular officer.  The standard notarial fee of $30.00 or the equivalent in Lek is required (Note: The U.S. Consulate in Tirana, Albania does not accept checks or credit cards, we accept only cash).  We provide notarials by appointment only from Monday to Thursday, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. except for U.S. and Albanian holidays.

Legal Requirements

When you go the City Hall to get married, please carry the following documents:

• Certificate of Birth and Freedom to Marry (Once notarized by the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, please take this form to the nearest post office and request that it be authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania. The post office clerk will advise you on the procedures of having the form returned to you once authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  IMPORTANT: In cases of previous marriages performed in Albania but terminated in the U.S., the divorce must be registered in Albania and recognized by the Albanian authorities before approaching the U.S. Embassy for a Certificate of Birth and Freedom to Marry.  Albanian authorities recognize U.S. documents when they have been properly authenticated in the U.S.  For detailed information about the authentication process consult Department of State's Consular Affairs website http://travel.state.gov/.  Documents issued in the United States CANNOT be authenticated overseas
• U.S. Passport for you and Albanian Passport for your future spouse;
• Personal Birth Certificate for your future spouse.

Two witnesses, not related to you or your spouse by blood or marriage, need to be present at the City Hall. The witnesses must present proper identification.

Registration of Marriage

Marriages of US citizens in Albania are not registered at the US Embassy.  Such marriages are registered at the Civil Registry Office (Vital Statistics Office) at the district where the marriage was performed.

It will usually take three to four weeks for the marriage to be registered, after which one can request the issuance of a Marriage Certificate.

Legal Concerns

Civil Marriage in Albania is a fully recognized legal marriage.

According to the U.S. statutes, marriages performed abroad that are valid under the laws of that country are generally accepted as valid by any state in the United States.

Marriages performed in Albania that are not registered with the Albanian Bureau of Vital Statistics have no validity.