The following applies to residence-visa holders who have been residing in the area served by the parish for at least 3 months. All others (e.g. visit visa holders), please contact the Parish Office.

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• Register for the Marriage Preparation Course

Marriage Preparation Course is conducted in St. Joseph's parish, Abu Dhabi : Schedule and Registration

• Submit the following documents to the Parish Office :

1. Newly issued Baptism Certificate from the parish of baptism : Must be original document (i.e. not copy) issued within 6 months to the marriage date.

• Note : If the Baptism Certificate doesn't mention that there is no record of Marriage or similar (e.g. “For Marriage Purpose”, “No Entry of Marriage”, etc.), a letter from the parish of baptism that there is no record of marriage, is also needed.

2. Confirmation certificate : Old or newly issued Confirmation certificate (not souvenir), original or photocopy is acceptable.

• Note : Not required if Confirmation date is also written on the newly-issued Baptism Certificate.

3. Marriage Preparation Course Certificate

4. Civil Freedom to Marry

• If you are not civilly married: Certificate/Affidavit/Statement of singleness/no marriage/no impediment/Free State attested by the concerned government/embassy/consulate : must be recently issued within the last 6 months.
  • Note : If embassy/consulate does not provide, or no embassy/consulate, contact the Parish Office.

• If you are already civilly married : Civil Marriage Certificate photocopy

5. Passport copy and valid visa copy

6. Photograph (passport size)

7. If one was previously married : further process may be required, contact the Parish Office with whatever applies:

b. Civil Divorce/Annulment decree (a true copy)

c. Church Annulment Certificate (original)

⇒ Notes regarding the documents :

• Any document not in English may require an official translation.

• Please make sure that information (e.g. names, date of birth) on parish certificates matches information in civil documents (e.g. birth certificate, passport), to avoid any problems later with civil recognition of marriage certificate or difficulties.

• Photocopies: should be clear and legible 

     > If not baptized: birth certificate copy. In case of not belonging to any religion, the Parish Office may demand also a certification that he/she is not baptized.