Job Discussion Forums

[ummkhadija]

Hello

I have read many threads about KSA that states that you need a marriage certification to bring your spouse along, is this the same for all ME countries?

Thank-you

UmmKhadija

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, this is true for all of the Gulf countries. They require the official marriage document certified by your government. Co-habitation of unmarried couples is illegal and punishable by imprisonment and deportation (and usually a threat of lashing). Your screen name is Arabic and if you are Muslim, you will probably not escape the lashes that Western non-Muslims usually manage to get out of... Yes, it is rare, but it does and has happened.

I'm not sure about the Levant and North African countries. It may be required if you have an official work visa, but not if you are just there working "casually" at language schools without a visa.

VS

[ummkhadija]

Thank-you VS

I am a Muslim, and I have a marriage contract from our congregation. However, we did not do it through the justice of the peace.

So, if we get a marriage license through our state, now. Would they still allow us in, even if we have been married since '04?

UmmKhadija

[veiledsentiments]

I would check with your Imam. He probably knows more than I do as to if there is a procedure for making it recognized by the state. And/or call the embassy of any country that you are moving to...

They may consider this official... and if not, it normally doesn't cost that much to get a quick justice of the peace marriage done. You could then just keep both documents together and there should be no problem - as to dates.

VS

[ummkhadija]

Thanks, VS

Will do

UmmKhadija