Requirements for Foreigners
For foreigners who wish to enter into a civil marriage in Panama, there are some additional requirements that must be met. Among them:
Valid Passport
The passport is the document that proves the identity of the foreigner in Panama, therefore, it must be valid and in good condition. It is important that the foreigner has his or her immigration status in order to avoid problems during the application process.
Birth and Single Certificate Apostilled
Foreigners must present their birth certificate and a certificate of singleness. Both documents must be apostilled in the country of origin to be valid in Panama.
Notarial Declaration of Singleness
In addition to the apostilled certificate of singleness, the foreigner must submit a notarized declaration of singleness made in Panama. This declaration is a legal document where the foreign spouse declares under oath that he or she is not married.
Civil Marriage Application Process
The process of applying for civil marriage in Panama involves several steps that must be rigorously followed, such as:
Filing Documents in the Marriage Court
Once you have all the necessary documents, they must be submitted to the appropriate Marriage Court. It is important to bring originals and copies of all documents for verification. The court will review the documentation and, if everything is in order, proceed to register the marriage application.
Reservation of Date for the Ceremony
After the submission of the documents, the next step is to reserve the date for the ceremony. This is done in the same court, where a specific date and time will be assigned for the celebration of the civil marriage. It is advisable to make this reservation well in advance to guarantee the availability of the desired date.
Procedure on Marriage Day
On the day of the marriage, the bride and groom and witnesses must appear in court at the scheduled time. The officiant of the marriage will read the articles of the Family Code related to marriage and ask the contracting parties if they agree to marry.
Once both parties answer in the affirmative, the marriage certificate will be signed by the contracting parties, the witnesses and the officiant. Finally, a copy of the marriage certificate will be given to the contracting parties, thus making their union official.
