Requirements
for
MARRIAGE AT ST. CHRISTOPHER'S
CATHEDRAL
Manama, Bahrain
PLEASE NOTE: When
you are booking a wedding at the Cathedral, please give as
much notice as possible to the Cathedral Office, in case the time and the day
you
wish to book your wedding has already been taken
| 1. | It is required
that both partners, or one at least, should have been baptised as a
Christian. If both partners are Roman Catholics, they cannot be
married at St. Christopher's Cathedral Under no circumstances can any church in Bahrain marry someone who has been born a Muslim, or who has embraced the Islamic faith by conviction or for any other reason. |
|
| 2. |
British Nationals require
BANNS:
See British Embassy Notice Residency: Anyone arriving from out of Bahrain will have to establish residency for 21 days in Bahrain and then post the banns for a further 21 days - see Marriage Notice |
|
| 3. |
For Non British
Nationals sworn affidavits
are required from their respective Embassies, or from a solicitor,
stating clearly that there are no impediments and that they are free to
enter into a legal marriage. These documents are to be handed over to
the cathedral before the ceremony can take place. The affidavits should be obtained within three months of the proposed wedding. The original affidavits must be brought to the cathedral and are retained for the purposes of record keeping in the cathedral archives. |
|
| 4. | Should you wish
to contact a solicitor in Bahrain it is recommended that you contact: Mr. Hugh Stokes Al Mahmood & Zu'bi P.O. Box 502 1st Floor, Citibank Building Government Road, Manama, Bahrain Tel: +973 1722 5151 / Fax: +973 1722 4744 |
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| 5. | A mutually agreed time with the Dean for an interview and preparation prior to performing the marriage service should be made (the Dean’s mobile phone – 39522547) or contact the cathedral office | |
| 6. | Fees: | Service Fee - BD.150 If you require the Cathedral to produce witnesses an additional charge of BD.5 per witness will be made. |
| 7. | Florist: Should you wish to obtain flowers for the church and the bride and her attendants, our recommended florist is Singapore Flowers. Contact details: P.O. Box 11107, Manama, Bahrain - Tel: +973 1774 2456 / Fax: +973 1771 4947. | |
| 8. | Organist: should you wish to have the services of an organist, please inform the cathedral office. | |
| 9. | Photographs: You are free to have photographs or a video taken during the service by family or friends and/or by a professional of your choice | |
| 10. | Passports may be required as a form of identification. | |
| 11. | Should either or both partners have been married before, the original document of the final divorce decree must be presented either to the Embassy or the solicitor. | |
| 12. | Please avoid Sundays and Fridays for weddings. On these days the cathedral is in use all day for regular worship services. | |
| 14. | If requested, marriages may be conducted at Awali Community Church, with the permission of BAPCO Oil Company. | |
| 15. | Following the wedding, marriage certificates must be registered at the following offices: | |
| a) | The Registration Office of
the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs. Contact: Tel: +973 1752 2358 - a small fee is payable |
|
| b) | The Consular Section of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Contact: Tel: +973 1722 7555 - a small fee is payable |
|
| c) | Those who are resident in
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must register their certificates at the
Consular Section of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once the
Ministry stamps have been obtained. Contact: Tel. +973 1753 7222 |
|
| d) | U.S. Citizens need to attend at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. In all other cases, please consult your Embassy to find out their requirements. Fees will be charged | |
| The arrangements may take up to two working days | ||
| Mr. Hugh Stokes at the Law Offices of Al Mahmood and Zu'bi (see contact details above) is in a position to arrange for documents to be stamped at the various ministries, for a fee. | ||
| Should you require more detailed information please contact the cathedral office by phone, fax or email. | ||
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Contact: Administrator Cathedral Office P.O. Box 36 Manama, State of Bahrain Telephone +973 1725 3866 Fax: +973 1724 6436 Email: cathedra@batelco.com.bh OR The Dean, the Very Rev'd Alan Hayday Phone: +973 3952 2547 Email: decani@batelco.com.bh
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