Marriage Regulations and Procedures Church of the Epiphany Doha, Qatar
After reading all of the information below, please send an email to rector@epiphany-qatar.org with the following details:
Full name (as written in your passport), age and nationality of Bride
Full name (as written in your passport), age and nationality of Groom
Marital status of both (divorced, bachelor/spinster, widowed)
Phone number where you can be reached to arrange an appointment
Requirement
At least one partner must be a baptized Christian. Please note that the church is not allowed to perform a marriage ceremony in which one of the partners is Muslim.
Both partners are required to provide original legal documentation of eligibility to marry. An affidavit from the appropriate embassy, or a decree absolute, or equivalent documentation indicating that neither partner is currently married is necessary. This documentation must have been issued within three months of the proposed wedding date.
Both partners are also required to provide copies of their passport details and residence permits and/or visas. In certain circumstances birth certificates may be required.
Both partners must present certification that they have fulfilled the Qatari government requirement for pre-marriage blood tests. This is a procedure specific to marriage, performed at designated medical centres at specific times. No other blood test qualifies.
There will be a minimum of three preparation interviews with one of our priests before the rehearsal and wedding. The couple should allow a minimum of three weeks for this part of the preparation process as they plan for the wedding ceremony.
The Ceremony
Weddings will take place at times mutually convenient to the couple and the church.
The ceremony will be held in the Rectory Chapel, or possibly in another place appropriate for a religious ceremony. (The chapel can seat 30 people comfortably.) No weddings will take place outdoors.
The couple should provide two adult witnesses. If this is not possible, the church can arrange for witnesses for a fee of QR100 each.
One video operator and one photographer may be present at the ceremony.
No photographs should be taken outside the walls/gate of the church villa.
After the Wedding Ceremony
Once the marriage certificate is signed, the church will register the marriage at the Ministry of Justice and then get the registration attested at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office. (The fee for registration with the Qatar government is QR200)
It is ESSENTIAL that the couple secure attestation from their respective embassies as well.
The Fee
Paid as a contribution to Church funds, set by the Church Council, and payable at the second preparation session, is QR2500.
The preparation fee for weddings planned to take place outside of Qatar, set by the Church Council, and payable at the second preparation session, is QR1500.
Blessings
A Ceremony of Blessing for couples who have previously entered into a Civil Marriage will follow the same procedures as above, with the exception of numbers 1 & 4.