The marriage of a foreign national in Jordan is a regulated legal process that requires coordination between the Personal Status Law, the Ministry of Interior, and the Civil Status and Passports Department (CSPD). Understanding these requirements is essential to ensure the validity of the marriage contract and avoid administrative delays.
1. Ministry of Interior Approval
Whenever one spouse is a non-Jordanian, the marriage cannot proceed before the Sharia Court unless a prior approval is obtained from the Ministry of Interior. This approval serves as an initial authorization confirming that the marriage may legally move forward.
Documents commonly required:
- An official letter from the Sharia Court handling the marriage.
- A copy of the foreign spouse’s passport, including the latest entry stamp.
- A “No Objection Certificate” issued by the foreign spouse’s home country, when required.
- An Arabic translation of the passport.
- A special power of attorney if one party is represented.
- A service card for Syrian nationals or the “Children of Jordanian Women” card, depending on the case.
The Ministry typically issues its approval within 14 working days through its online platform, and the service carries no fees.
2. Registration with the Civil Status and Passports Department
Once the marriage is concluded before the Sharia Court (or abroad), it must be registered with the CSPD. Registration is mandatory to ensure legal recognition within Jordan.
Required documents may include:
- The original marriage contract and a copy.
- A certified translation if the contract is issued in a foreign language.
- Authentication from a notary or the Jordanian embassy for contracts issued abroad.
- Identity documents for both spouses.
- Ministry of Interior approval when applicable.
- The foreign spouse’s passport showing the personal number.
- Residency or security cards for foreign nationals residing in Jordan.
Upon verification, CSPD issues an official certificate confirming the registration.
3. Marriages Conducted Outside Jordan
For marriages completed abroad, additional steps are necessary:
- Authentication by the Jordanian embassy in the country where the marriage took place.
- Authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (both in the issuing country and in Jordan).
- Certified Arabic translation of the marriage document.
These steps ensure that the foreign marriage contract is legally enforceable inside Jordan.
4. Important Legal Notes
- All foreign documents must be properly translated and authenticated.
- The foreign spouse must have an updated Personal Number from the Borders and Residency Directorate before registration.
- The marriage contract must comply with the Jordanian Personal Status Law No. 15 of 2019, especially regarding capacity, consent, and age requirements.
Related Articles (Jordanian Personal Status Law):
- Article 10: Conditions of marriage validity.
- Article 15: Requirements for documenting marriages.
- Article 17: Marriage of those under 18 under exceptional circumstances.
- Article 36: Registration of marriages conducted abroad.
Conclusion
The marriage of a foreigner in Jordan is entirely permissible, but the process is document-heavy and strictly regulated. Ensuring that all approvals and authentications are completed in the proper order is crucial to avoiding delays or refusals.
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