What are the Marriage Requirements in Fiji? [2025]

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Documents for a Fiji Marriage License

Before getting married in Fiji, couples must first obtain a Marriage License from a registry office or district office. While this can be done just a couple of days before you intend to get married, it’s best to organise scanned copies of the required documents well in advance with your wedding coordinator or chosen resort in order to make sure all the documents are correct. You will then need to bring the original documents/certified copies with you to Fiji. For more about wedding resorts, check out the 10 Best Wedding Packages in Fiji.

Documents Required for a Fiji Marriage License

Both parties wishing to marry will either need the original documents or certified copies of the following:

• Birth certificates
• Passports with valid visas
• A single-status certificate
• Divorce certificates, if applicable
• Death certificates of a spouse, if applicable
• Two witnesses and their photo identification
• Name of marriage officer/denomination or religion
• Marriage applications from Japan must produce the koseki shouhon to certify their personal details.

What is a Single Status Certificate?

Couples from overseas must provide a Single Status certificate to get married in Fiji. A Single Status certificate is needed if you are a couple of non-residents getting married in Fiji, a non-resident getting married to a local, or former citizens of Fiji with 2+ years of residency abroad. This certificate is to show that you have not been married before during a specified time period, usually from 18 years old. The Single Status certificate can be applied for in your home country or state, usually your country’s equivalent of the Registry of Births, Marriages & Deaths, or something similar.

Marriage Document Translations

If any of your documents are in a language other than English (except for your passport), then you may need an official and certified translation.

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Getting Your Marriage License in Fiji

Got the paperwork? Now, couples need to obtain a marriage license, which allows them to legally marry in Fiji within 28 days. You must book an appointment at a Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM) office, i.e., a registry office, and submit scanned copies of the documents listed above before visiting a registry in person. Your wedding coordinator or chosen resort usually handles this appointment and paperwork – see the 10 Best Wedding Venues in Fiji for recommendations.

Once you arrive in Fiji, it’s best to leave yourself at least three days before your wedding ceremony to give you time to visit a registry office and obtain your Marriage License in person.

Where are the Registry Offices in Fiji?

• Ba [Viti Levu] – Ground Floor, Koronubu House
• Korovou [Viti Levu] – Ground Floor, Harbhai Patel Buildings, Korovou, Tailevu
• Labasa [Vanua Levu] – Ground Floor, Namuka House
• Lautoka [Viti Levu] – First Floor, Westfield Building, Tukani Street
• Levuka [Ovalau] – Lomaiviti Holdings Building, Beach Street
• Nabouwalu [Vanua Levu] – Naulumatua House
• Nadi [Viti Levu] – Level One, GT Plaza, Vunavou Crescent
• Nasinu [Viti Levu] – Unit 11 & 12, Valelevu Complex
• Nausori [Viti Levu] – Tara’s Building, River Road, Nausori
• Navua [Viti Levu] – Ro Matanitobua House
• Rakiraki [Viti Levu] – Ground Floor, Bhima Building, Vaileka
• Savusavu [Vanua Levu] – Justin Smith Building, Office 11, Main Street
• Seaqaqa [Vanua Levu] – Government Station, Mohammed Tahirs’ Building, Raimuri Road
• Sigatoka [Viti Levu] – Keasuna Buildings
• Suva [Viti Levu] – Ground Floor, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade
• Taveuni [Taveuni] – District Office Complex, Waiyevo
• Tavua [Viti Levu] – Mobil Building, Tabavu Street
• Vunidawa [Viti Levu] – Vunidawa Government Station
• Vunisea [Kadavu] – Vunisea Government Station, PA’s Office

Registry offices are typically open from 8 am to 3 pm/4 pm Monday to Friday. Offices are usually closed on weekends and public holidays. For up-to-date contact details of each registry office, head to the Justice Department‘s website.

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Signing the Marriage Certificate

The marriage finally becomes legal when the correct parties sign the marriage certificate and becomes internationally recognised when sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs to obtain the “Apostille Seal”.

Marriage Celebrant and Witnesses

During the wedding ceremony, you will sign all copies of the marriage certificate. You will also need two witnesses and your certificate to be endorsed by a celebrant or minister.

Witnesses must be 18 years old and over. If you don’t have your own witnesses, most resorts will provide witnesses, so be sure to enquire whether witnesses are included in the wedding package.

Under Fijian law, a marriage celebrant must be a Fijian to officiate the marriage. Overseas celebrants are permitted to participate in the vows, but a Fijian celebrant must solemnise the marriage and sign the marriage certificate.

What Happens Next?

Once all required parties sign the marriage certificate, the couple will keep one certificate while the other is forwarded to a registry office to be registered. Your wedding coordinator or resort will obtain the certificate for you and post it to your address. Your wedding coordinator will also send your certificate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get an Apostille Certification or “Apostille Seal” to legalise your document for other countries that are a part of the Hague Convention.

Any more questions? Take a look at Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in Fiji.