Marriage Law & Lawyers in Lebanon.
Religious, mixed and foreign civil marriages: our attorneys guide couples through every applicable regime.
Lebanon does not provide for civil marriage on its territory, but it recognizes civil marriages performed abroad. Marriages celebrated in Lebanon are religious and take place before the competent Christian or Muslim authorities. The choice of regime shapes the couple's rights and obligations for the entire duration of the union, and beyond.
How to get married in Lebanon
Marriages celebrated on Lebanese soil are officiated by a religious authority (priest, sheikh or equivalent) and must be transcribed in the personal-status registers. Civil marriages contracted abroad are recognized in Lebanon and are registered either with the competent personal-status office or with the Lebanese embassy or consulate in the country of celebration.
Mixed marriages
Lebanon's pluralist society does not prohibit marriages between spouses of different confessions. However, the couple must clearly identify the law that will govern the present and future effects of their marriage: personal status, marital regime, filiation, guardianship and, later, divorce and inheritance.
Requirements
Requirements vary from one confession to another, but usually include:
- ◆Extract of the individual personal-status record of each spouse
- ◆Certificate of celibacy
- ◆Publication of banns or announcement of the wedding, depending on the community
- ◆Prenuptial medical certificates
- ◆Consent of the spouses, and, where required, of parents or a guardian
- ◆For foreign spouses: additional documents legalized in their country of origin
Civil marriage in Lebanon
A civil marriage cannot be celebrated in Lebanon in the ordinary case, although proposals of law have been discussed over the years. Couples wishing to marry civilly usually do so abroad (Cyprus, France, and other jurisdictions) and register the marriage upon their return. The civil regime chosen will then govern the marriage, including in the event of separation, divorce or inheritance.
How we assist
Our family department drafts prenuptial agreements, coordinates cross-border formalities, secures the recognition of foreign marriages in Lebanon, and advises couples on the long-term consequences of the regime they choose.