With a choice of luxurious resorts and idyllic white-sand beaches fringed by gently swaying palm trees, Mauritius is the perfect spot to say 'I do' – and the ideal destination for that long dreamt of beach wedding!
With its stunning backdrop of dramatic mountains, fine beaches, ultramarine lagoons and exotic French-Creole cultural mix, the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius offers a magical setting for a romantic beach wedding.
In Mauritius, you can choose to get married in a lush tropical garden, on a private beach, in the grounds of a resort, on a remote tiny atoll, on a yacht or even underwater.
With a little preparation it’s easy to get married in Mauritius. You can arrange the licence yourself, with a wedding planner or through a hotel as part of your wedding package. If you choose a wedding planner, you should mail or email all the required documents at least two months before your intended wedding date.
A Registrar can perform the civil wedding in his office or anywhere of your choosing.
You can choose to have a religious ceremony performed immediately after the civil ceremony or separately in a different location.
Mauritius marriages are legally recognised internationally.
One day for non-residents, but you should plan to be in Mauritius at least three days before the wedding ceremony to allow sufficient time to finalize the legal paperwork.
This includes picking up your certificate of non-citizenship from the Central Civil Status Office and making a sworn affidavit (attesting that you are who you say you are) at the Supreme Court.
Ensure that all documents are in your legal name, and provide affidavits in cases where you are known by another name.
All documents – originals or certified copies – must be issued in English or French, otherwise they must be translated into English or French by an official translator and subsequently notarised.
Non-residents of Mauritius may apply to the Civil Status Division for a certificate of non-citizenship stating that they are not residents of Mauritius. You must send all the documents to the office at least one month before you wish to get married.
Both marriage parties must provide two copies of all documents to the local Civil Status Officer (or your wedding planner) at least one month before the civil service. The civil marriage may be celebrated after one day of publication.
Documents required for getting married in Mauritius, include…
You should plan to have a free day in Mauritius before their wedding day (must be a working day – not public holidays, Saturday or Sunday) so you can finalize the legal procedures necessary for the wedding.
You can do this yourself or together with your wedding co-ordinator who will accompany you to help speed matters along.
In order to finalize the wedding paperwork, couples need to visit four different offices located in Port Louis. After all the original documents are verified you are free to marry anywhere in Mauritius.
The four offices that you need to visit include…
1. The Civil Status main office in Port Louis, where all the documents will be double checked and authorized.
2. An attorney-at-law, where all original documents will be checked and affidavits prepared.
3. Supreme High Court of Mauritius, where you will swear affidavits to the Chief Registrar at the Supreme High Court of Mauritius.
It is important that you are well dressed – no shorts for men and arms covered for women (no need for shirt/tie/jackets – smart/casual is acceptable). No children are allowed in the Supreme High Court of Mauritius.
4. Civil Status Sub Office – the last office to visit is in the district closest to your hotel for the publication of the wedding.
At this point you will discuss the wedding time and vows with the Civil Status Officer – the only person who can confirm the wedding time.
In Mauritius, the law requires that the future couple choose one matrimonial system from the three available.
The matrimonial system allows the spouses to specify legally how their existing property (assets) as well as those acquired after the marriage will be divided upon legal separation (divorce) or when one of them passes away.
Civil Ceremonies are conducted by a Civil Status Officer in English at the local register office or at your hotel or on a beach.
If you are having a hotel wedding ceremony check with the hotel whether they can guarantee only one wedding per day at the resort. This will mean you don't have to share your special day with another wedding party. Although, if you use the services of a wedding co-ordinator they will check this for you.
A civil wedding ceremony in Mauritius follows a set format, however you are welcome to provide a personal reading to be included in the ceremony. Two witnesses are requires to be present throughout the proceedings.
The civil ceremony lasts between 20 to 30 minutes after which you will receive your Wedding Certificate.
You should check to make sure that the one given is indeed the original certificate and not a copy. Otherwise, you may need to visit the Civil Status Office later to pick-up your original Marriage Certificate.
You should confirm with the Civil Status Office that your wedding will be registered in Mauritius, and in doing so will be legal in your home of residence.
To have a religious ceremony you are required to be resident in Mauritius for a minimum of 15 days prior to the ceremony taking place. Before you can have a religious wedding you must first have had a civil wedding ceremony, which may either be performed in Mauritius or in your country of residence.
If either you or your partner have been divorced then it will not be possible for you to have a religious ceremony.
Some faiths may require additional documents for a church service. You may want to check this with your wedding planner or local minister.
Before you can have a church wedding you must be legally married in a civil wedding. You should allow at least two months to process all the documents, before you arrive.
Couples of the Roman Catholic faith should allow at least three months before the wedding date in order to process all the necessary paperwork (certificates of baptism, dispensations, statements of freedom to marry, etc.).
The wedding ceremony of a Roman Catholic must take place in a church rather than in a resort or on a beach.
European Union citizens (except the United Kingdom and Ireland) may need to have their Marriage Certificate apostilled (or authenticated).
This does not apply to citizens of United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Citizens of Asian countries, South and Central America should check with their Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer as to whether an Apostille is required for your country.
A special stamp (Apostille) is required to validate the marriage certificate obtained after the civil ceremony for certain nationalities. This stamp is available at the Registrar's office located at the Supreme Court. Your wedding planner can assist you in obtaining the Apostille, if required.
No fee for civil service in a government office.
Marriage Licence – Rs$150
Celebration Fee in hotel or any private location – Rs5000
The majority of hotels in Mauritius provide professional wedding planners who can insure that the entire process of getting married in Mauritius, including fulfilling all legal requirements, is stress free.
For more information contact Mr. R. Bundhoo (Registrar), 7 Level, Emmanuel Anquetil Bldg., Port Louis, Mauritius (Tel: +230 201 1727; Fax: +230 211 2420; Email: civstat@mail.gov.mu)
Note: while accurate at time of publication this information is for guidance purposes only and liable to change without notice. Please check with your wedding planner at your resort of choice or the relevant embassy of the country in which you intend to marry for up-to-date details before your wedding.
Read more about › Top Beach Wedding Destinations
Latest update: Getting Married in Mauritius: 1 January, 2023
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