This is by far the longest step, and the one that determines everything else. Nothing can move forward until all the documents are gathered, and several of them have a short validity period: requesting them out of order is enough to delay the wedding by several months.

What the file consists of

What is called here "the file" is everything you will send to the Mauritian civil registry in step 2. It includes four or five items, no more.

• The cover sheetDuly completed. This is the application form itself: it opens the file and summarizes your contact information and your marriage plans. It cannot be downloaded from the administration's website — see step 2 to obtain it.
• Each person's birth certificateIn two photocopies, written in English or French. Its date of issue must not be more than three months old.
• Each person's passport, in two photocopies: the photo page and the pages containing the applicant's data.
• Documents relating to a divorce, widowhood or a change of name, if applicable — therefore not systematically.
• The certificate of capacity to marryThis is for French citizens only. It is the most time-consuming document to obtain: see the following section.

That's all. No proof of residence, no certificate of celibacy, no medical certificate is required from two non-citizens — these documents are for marriage with a Mauritian citizen, not yours.

Flexibility is provided: if one of the parties cannot produce a civil status document, they may instead produce an affidavit sworn in their country of residence, or in any form that the Registrar of Civil Status accepts.

The three-month rule, the one that does the most damage

The birth certificate must be less than three months old. This is the most frequent stumbling block in applications, because it clashes with the rest of the timeline: request it too Early and it will be outdated by the time of verification; too late And you won't meet the submission deadline. the window of Opportunity is narrow, and this is the one that must be addressed first.

Only one nationality is subject to a specific requirement in the Mauritian procedure: the Civil Status Division specifies that a French national must produce, in addition to other documents, a certificate of no impediment to marriage. No other nationalities are mentioned.

French nationals

The certificate is obtained from the French Embassy in Mauritius, and without it the marriage cannot be celebrated. It is a document in the first stage of the process—but a separate document, because it alone dictates the timeline for a French couple.

The embassy announces a delay that could reach six monthsDue to the volume of applications, it is recommended that no wedding date be set until the certificate is obtained. The procedure includes posting the banns for ten days, and the investigation may involve a hearing of the future spouses, either together or separately.

In other Words: the mauritian part is settled in weeks, the french part in months. A french couple who discovers the issue six weeks before their dream date doesn't have a mauritian problem, they have a consular problem.

Other nationalities

If you are not french, Mauritius does not ask you for this Certificate: your application is limited to the common documents listed in Step 1. the question then shifts to your own country.

Most countries do require an equivalent document—a certificate of no impediment to marriage, a certificate of no impediment, or another local term—not to authorize the marriage in Mauritius, but to recognize it in your country of residence. The conditions, timeframes, and competent authority vary from country to country, and we will not detail them here to avoid providing inaccurate information about a legally binding process.

The correct procedure is the same for everyone: contact your embassy or consulate before setting a dateAnd ask three questions: is any preliminary documentation required on your end, how long will it take to obtain it, and what recognition or transcription procedure will apply upon your return? The French case shows that this timeframe can exceed that of the Mauritian procedure by several months: it is almost always the French procedure, not Mauritius, that determines the possible date.

The solution proposed by the french Embassy

For non-resident couples whose consular delays do not allow them to meet the planned date, the embassy suggests celebrating the civil marriage in france, Then organizing a simple Religious or secular celebration in mauritius, without legal implications and without intervention from the mauritian or french authorities.

This is not a last resort. This approach separates the legal act from the celebration, eliminates any documentary requirements on the Mauritian side, allows for free choice of date and location, and avoids the lengthy transcription process upon return. Many couples benefit from this.

Once all the documents are gathered, everything fits into a single shipment, sent from your home: your presence in Mauritius is not required at this stage. The file is then sent about two months before the wedding date, addressed to the Central Civil Status Office, 7^e floor of the Emmanuel Anquetil building in Port-Louis.

Why does the administration give two figures?

The Civil Status Division states that the application for a certificate must reach them at least one month before the intended date, and further specifies that the documents must be submitted six to eight weeks before the marriage. These two deadlines are not consecutive; they encompass the same filing period. Remember the more demanding deadline of six to eight weeks—an application submitted within this timeframe will necessarily meet the other.

This requirement overlaps with what the island's hotel groups are asking For. beachcomber, for example, requires a minimum of twelve weeks for the documents to reach the hotels on time.

What date should be indicated, and who validates it?

You propose the date, and it's the file that bears it. The request must reach the office at least one month in advance. the planned wedding date : this date is therefore clearly stated in what you send, and it is the one that serves as the reference for the entire instruction.

The validation process then takes place in two stages. The administration reviews your application and issues the certificate under the authority of the Prime Minister: this is the agreement in principle for your project, on the announced date. Then, upon your arrival, the verification of the original documents and the request for publication confirm the time slot based on the officer's availability—this is when the date becomes definitively fixed.

No official source describes an online booking system or automatic written confirmation. In practice, therefore, it is up to you—or your hotel, which reserves the officer's slot—to request confirmation. Three precautions are worth taking: indicate a precise date in the file rather than an approximate week, request written confirmation from the office or coordinator of the date and time, and allow a buffer of one or two days during your stay before committing your guests and service providers to a schedule.

In practical terms, how do we send this file?

This is the point the official page leaves unresolved: it sets the deadline and the list of required documents, but doesn't say where to obtain the cover sheet or through which channel to submit everything. Here's what we can establish.

The cover sheet

The form exists and has a specific title: Application to marry for non-citizens under section 24A of the Civil Status Act — the application for marriage for non-citizens under Article 24A of the Civil Status Act, the very one that governs your situation. It is addressed to the Civil Status Office in Port Louis and serves as a receipt: it summarizes the attached photocopies — birth certificates, passports, and where applicable, divorce, death, or name change documents.

He is not not downloadable the Civil Status Division website doesn't offer a section with forms for this process. You therefore have to request it, which makes initial contact with the administration unavoidable—so it's best to start early.

The three possible channels

• Through your hotel or wedding planner. This is the most common method, and the one that larger establishments recommend: Their wedding coordinator collects the form, compiles the file, submits it, and often accompanies the couple to the registry office to verify the original documents. if you Book a package, make sure to confirm in writing that this service is included.
• By a representative residing in Mauritius. The Civil Status Division allows a person established on the island to act on behalf of an applicant living abroad, with written authorization.
• Directly, from abroad. The division processes requests from abroad by email, fax, or mail. One important detail: those sent by email or fax must be addressed directly to the central office from Port louis, and not to a district office.

Who exactly should I contact?

The Civil Status Division publishes its direct lines by department. Two of them concern you: the for information on planned civil marriages, please call +230 201 1222., which corresponds exactly to your approach, and the office of the Registrar of Civil Status, at +230 211 8159, at 7^e floor of the Emmanuel Anquetil building.

However, the official contact page does not publish an email address for this service. A general address for the division and a fax number are widely circulated on third-party websites, but we are not including them here as they cannot be found on an official source: a file sent to an incorrect address will get lost without anyone notifying you.

The procedure to follow is therefore as Follows: first and foremost, call +230 201 1222. Request a cover sheet, confirm the exact email or postal address to which you should send your application, and take this opportunity to have your schedule validated in relation to your target date. A single call will resolve the three questions left unanswered in the online documentation.

If you use a service provider, make sure they specify in writing who submits the application, by what date, and what happens if a document is rejected. This is where responsibilities become diluted.

Publication is not automatic; it must be requested. The Civil Status Act is explicit on this point—publication of a civil marriage is only carried out upon request to a civil registrar. The documents sent beforehand prepare the ground, but it is your visit to the Central Civil Status Office, once you are on the island, that actually initiates the process.

What the officer did that day

The interview is more substantial than a simple document check. The law imposes a series of specific obligations on the officer.

• He demands the production of civil status documents this process establishes that you are legally eligible to marry. It involves verifying the original documents, as announced by the administration, and ultimately results in the issuance of a Certificate of Authority confirming that you are non-citizens and non-residents.
• It informs you about matrimonial property regimes as stipulated by the Napoleonic Code, you will be given a printed explanatory note on the subject and invited to consider the marital regime under which you wish to marry. This question will be asked of you on the day of the ceremony: it is best to have thought about it before you leave.
• He reminds you that the spouses and the witnesses will be required to present identification at the time of the celebration.
• He records in the margin of the notice of publication that he has fulfilled these obligations.

One point not to be overlooked: no civil status document is valid if it was issued more than three months prior. the date of the publication requestThis is the date that serves as the reference, not the wedding day. If one of the two barely covers the window, have it checked before going there.

It is also during this meeting that the date of the ceremony, indicated in your file, is confirmed based on the officer's availability. Do not assume anything is certain before this meeting, and avoid inviting your guests based on a date that has not yet been confirmed in person.

How is the publication actually done?

Nothing is published in a newspaper or online. The law requires physical posting: a notice signed by the officer is posted in a visible location, either in the office or nearby, and the notice is entered in the corresponding register. That's all, and that's enough to start the time limit running.

And if someone objects?

The publication opens the possibility of an objection. Anyone with grounds to object to the ceremony, or who believes that a legal provision may be violated, may file an objection with the Registrar of Civil Status. The Registrar will examine the case, hear the parties, and issue a decision. The aggrieved party has thirty days to appeal to a judge in chambers to have the decision overturned.

In a marriage between two foreigners who came for the occasion, this scenario remains theoretical. Nevertheless, it explains why the publication exists, and why the law allows for a waiting period, even if reduced to twenty-four hours in your case.

The publication, then twenty-four hours

This is where your situation becomes advantageous. The general rule requires waiting ten days after the publication of banns before getting married. Article 24A of the Civil Status Act overrides this rule: when the future spouses are neither Mauritian citizens nor residents, the registrar can perform their civil marriage ceremony. from the day after publication.

The same provision clarifies two important points. First, that your temporary presence in Mauritius is not considered residency—which keeps you within this simplified regime, regardless of the length of your stay. Second, that the certificate issued under the authority of the Prime Minister constitutes sufficient proof of your status as a non-resident citizen: this is the reason for submitting the entire application beforehand.

Plan for this day to fall on a working day: a mauritian public holiday poorly placed notices will throw off the entire end of the calendar. And keep in mind that the notice isn't permanent—under the general rule, a marriage that doesn't take place within three months of the notice being published requires a new one. Article 24A specifically excludes the article containing this rule, so its exact application to a non-resident couple should be confirmed with the office if your ceremony needs to be postponed.

The date is not chosen on the day Itself: it was announced in the file sent two months earlier, since this file must reach the office at least one month in advance. the planned wedding dateThe law stipulates that the marriage takes place on the date chosen by the parties—meaning: the registrar doesn't impose a date, but it is arranged in advance and confirmed when you go to the office. You don't simply show up to get married the next day.

The marriage ceremony is performed in the presence of two witnesses, either at the registry office or in any private location. The civil ceremony can therefore take place in a wedding hall, a hotel, a garden, or on a beach, provided a civil registrar is available—in all cases after a 24-hour banns have been published. If you are staying at a hotel, it is generally the hotel coordinator who reserves the time slot for the registrar: ask them for written confirmation of the chosen time.

What happens during the ceremony

The procedure is not left to individual discretion: the law lists what the officer must do, in order.

• He reads aloud your names and the information that concerns you.
• He asks you under which matrimonial property regime if you wish to get married, and if a marriage contract has been drawn up between you—in which case, note the name of the notary who issued it. This is the question announced in the publication, and it has lasting consequences: it's best to have thought about it before leaving.
• He reads articles 212, 213 and 215 of the Napoleonic Code, which set out the reciprocal duties of spouses.
• He obtains the consent of each person, then declares you married.
• He registers the marriage in the register and records your answer regarding the matrimonial property regime.

The couple and witnesses must present identification at the time of the ceremony. Everything else—music, decorations, speeches, exchange of rings—is freely added to this framework, but does not replace it.

What a civil ceremony costs

The official price is simple and rarely quoted correctly elsewhere: the celebration at the office is free.If it takes place in a hotel or in a private or non-private venue, a payment of Rs 5,000 the registration must be done at the Central Civil Status Office. This is the actual cost of the civil ceremony, regardless of what the hotel charges for decorations, champagne, and other extras.

Two details that were discovered too late

The parties must provide transportation for the officiant, to and from the ceremony, if requested—a detail to be arranged with the hotel or service provider rather than discovered the day before. Both witnesses must be of legal age and present at the ceremony, with identification in hand.

There is no no minimum stay imposed before a marriage between two non-citizens. The official procedure does not mention it. Planning a few days there before the ceremony is obviously reasonable—jet lag, verification of original documents, fittings, appointments with vendors, the possibility of a delayed flight—but it's an organizational choice, not a legal obligation.

The confusion likely stems from the neighboring System: when one spouse is a mauritian citizen, the law does require a prior stay of seven consecutive days. This requirement exists, but it does not apply to two foreigners.

Same-sex marriage is not permitted by Mauritian authorities. The French Embassy clarifies that, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it cannot officiate such marriages, either in Mauritius or in the Seychelles. It reiterates that it has no authority whatsoever to perform marriages involving French citizens: only local authorities have this power, regardless of the nationality of the spouses.

A symbolic ceremony can still be organised, like any celebration without legal implications, but it produces no legal effect.

The civil ceremony

It is the only one with legal standing in Mauritius. It is performed by a civil registrar, in the presence of two witnesses, and remains brief. Everything else—decorations, music, reception—is organized around it without being dependent on it.

Symbolic ceremonies

While not legally binding, these ceremonies offer complete freedom in return: location, time, order of events, officiant, and text. They can take place on a beach at sunset, in a tropical garden, or on a catamaran. This is also the option chosen by couples who legally marry in their home country and celebrate their wedding in Mauritius.

Several traditions on the island lend themselves to these celebrations: a Hindu wedding under a mandap with its rituals around a sacred fire, a Creole celebration accompanied by sega musicians, or a Buddhist ceremony. The exact content and language used depend entirely on the officiant: these are points to be agreed upon with him, and not standardized formats.

Religious ceremonies

A religious ceremony—Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or Hindu—is possible, but it falls under the jurisdiction of the relevant religious authority, with its own conditions and timeframes, often measured in months. Contact the parish, mosque, or temple directly, and well in advance: this is not something the hotel will handle for you.

In all cases, only the civil ceremony creates the marriage in the eyes of Mauritian law.

The dry season, from May to October, is the safest time for an outdoor ceremony. The hot and humid season runs from November to April, with greener vegetation and warmer seas, but a significantly higher risk of adverse weather.

The official cyclone season runs from 1^er november to May 15, with a more active period from January to March. A cyclone directly impacting the island remains rare, but heavy rains, alerts, and wind are much less so—and a single alert is enough to cancel an outdoor ceremony. For details on temperatures and variations from coast to coast, see our pages on the weather in Mauritius and region-by-region weather.

One last factor, often overlooked: local festivals. mauritian public holidays these include several celebrations with variable dates, which may affect the availability of service providers and government offices. Please check that your date does not overlap with any of these events, especially for the document verification day in Port Louis.

Since the civil ceremony can be held almost anywhere, the choice of venue is primarily a matter of atmosphere and logistics.

Hotels the simplest option remains: they offer packages, know the procedure, and have pre-approved areas. Each coast has its own character—the lively north around Grand Baie and Trou-aux-Biches, the quieter east near Belle Mare, the west renowned for its sunsets near Flic-en-Flac and Tamarin, and the more unspoiled southeast around Blue Bay. Our page on booking a hotel or villa helps to situate the differences.

Historical estates and properties they offer a different, more down-to-earth setting: colonial mansions, gardens, orchards. Accommodation conditions, capacities, and rates vary considerably from one estate to another and are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Public beaches they are accessible to everyone, which is both their advantage and their limitation: a public beach cannot be privatized, and your ceremony will take place among the other beachgoers. Plan for the setup, shade, sound system, and electricity, and check with the Beach Authority for the necessary permits — see our article on access to beaches in Mauritius, which explains the legal status of the coastline.

A clarification before the figures. There is no official price list for weddings in Mauritius, apart from the civil registry fees. The amounts below are therefore not fixed prices: they are guidelines, drawn either from official documents, prices published by identified operators, or estimates provided by industry professionals. We indicate the source of each figure so you can assess its accuracy. Any actual quote will depend on your hotel, the season, the number of guests, and the exchange rate.

What is certain is That the official fees

Only these amounts are set by the Administration. the ceremony at the civil registry office is Free. at a hotel or private venue, it Costs Rs 5,000, payable to the Central Civil Status Office. That's all. No other civil status fees are required by the official procedure.

Hotel packages: some published prices

These figures are those publicly displayed by the operators at the time of writing. They give an idea of the market floor, not an average.

• La Pirogue advertises a wedding package at €605 per couple for a stay of less than three nights, and offers the package for stays of three nights or more.
• Beachcomber offers three packages starting from £750, with a 10% deposit of the total cost of the stay and £150 for the package itself. The group guarantees only one ceremony per day per hotel.

These entry-level packages cover the ceremony and a basic set of services. Everything related to the reception, guests, elaborate decorations, or a full-day photographer is added on top.

The order of magnitude of a complete wedding

An independent wedding planner based on the island, who claims to have organized over three hundred weddings, estimates the cost at between €2,500 and €4,000 for the couple alone, excluding flights and accommodation. He quotes a starting price of around €1,890 for a simple beach ceremony and around €3,320 for a ceremony on a private island.

These are the figures from a professional selling this service: they reflect their positioning, not a market average. They remain useful as a benchmark, and they are consistent with the hotel packages above once the options are added.

What we don't quantify

We deliberately do not provide price ranges for photographers, florists, caterers, hairdressers, musicians, or wedding planners. These services vary too much from one provider to another and from one season to another for an invented figure to be useful—and the amounts circulating on French-language websites dedicated to the subject are, for the most part, based on no verifiable source.

The best approach is to request two or three written quotes, specifying the date, number of people, and exact location. For travel-related items, our flight guide to Mauritius and our page money and budget provide up-to-date benchmarks.

Two levers that really lower the rating

The first factor is the length of stay: many hotels offer wedding packages starting from a certain number of nights, which shifts the expense to the accommodation you would have paid for anyway. The second is the season: hotel rates are significantly lower outside of peak season, and it's also the safest time in terms of weather.

You have two options, and the choice will determine the rest of the organization.

Go through the hotel this is the simplest option. the Team is familiar with the procedure, has the contacts, and handles the coordination with the civil Registry. in return, you remain within their catalog of services and locations.

Going through an independent organizer it opens up a wider choice of venues and service providers, and allows for ceremonies outside of hotel settings. It's then essential to check references, request a detailed written quote, and know precisely who will be doing what on the day.

In both cases, one question deserves to be asked from the outset: who is actually responsible for submitting the application and verifying the original documents in Port Louis, and is this service included? This is where a unclear division of responsibilities can cost you a day of your stay.

For the rest — photographer, florist, caterer, musicians — ask to see complete projects rather than a selection of the best images, and have it specified in writing what is delivered and within what timeframe.

No visa is required for tourist stays for citizens of the European Union, and the spouse of a Mauritian citizen is also exempt. General entry requirements—passport validity, return ticket, accommodation, entry form—are detailed on our page on [website/platform name]. formalities for coming to Mauritius, to be checked before departure as they change.

The procedure doesn't impose any restrictions on the length of your Stay. in practice, allowing about a week before the ceremony gives you time to recover from the flight, visit the Central Civil Status Office to verify your original documents, meet with vendors, and deal with any unforeseen Circumstances. extending your stay after the wedding transforms the trip into a honeymoon without Changing hotels—see our page on the honeymoon in Mauritius.

For guests, the main issue is budget: flights and accommodation represent the bulk of the expense, and it's courteous to inform them well in advance so they can book at the best rates. Grouping everyone in the same hotel simplifies transportation and sometimes allows for negotiation; letting everyone choose their own accommodation is more budget-friendly. For getting around the island, see our page transport and our car rental guide cover the options, keeping in mind that we drive on the left.

A marriage performed before the Mauritian civil registry is valid in Mauritius from the moment of the ceremony. However, its recognition in your country requires an additional step, and it's best to be aware of this before you leave.

For French citizens, this involves registering the marriage in the consular records. The French Embassy in Mauritius announces a processing time ofat least twelve monthsThe waiting period is extended when a certificate of no impediment to marriage has not been obtained beforehand. The original marriage certificate issued by the Mauritian authorities must be less than three months old and apostilled by the Prime Minister's Office.

So remember to request several copies of the marriage certificate before leaving the island, and to have the one intended for transcription apostilled while you are still there — it is much simpler than from Europe.

Where and how to get a marriage certificate apostilled

The competent authority is the prime Minister's office, in Port Louis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies that the apostille is issued there and then countersigned by its services, and that the service is free.

Allow several business days between submission and collection—sources generally agree on a timeframe of two to four business days, with collection occurring upon presentation of the receipt. Therefore, factor this timeframe into the end of your trip: this is the only procedure that cannot be completed on the day of departure.

The published addresses vary from one source to another, between the New Government Centre and the Government Centre, and on different floors. None of them come from an up-to-date official website, and we prefer not to make a definitive choice rather than send you to the wrong office: confirm the address and opening hours during your stay, either with the Central Civil Status Office when you receive your document, or with your hotel or tour operator, who are familiar with the process.

If you have already returned, the apostille can be requested from abroad through a Mauritian diplomatic mission — hence the importance of taking care of it before leaving the island.

For other nationalities, the procedure depends on your country: contact your embassy or consulate before departure, not upon return.

The matrimonial property regime

By default, French spouses are subject to the statutory community property regime. Choosing a different regime requires a marriage contract drawn up before the ceremony, either by a notary in France or by the competent local authority. A copy of the contract must be submitted when applying for registration of the marriage.

A marriage performed before the Mauritian civil registry is valid in Mauritius from the moment of the ceremony. However, its recognition in your country requires an additional step, and it's best to be aware of this before you leave.

For French citizens, this involves registering the marriage in the consular records. The French Embassy in Mauritius announces a processing time ofat least twelve monthsThe waiting period is extended when a certificate of no impediment to marriage has not been obtained beforehand. The original marriage certificate issued by the Mauritian authorities must be less than three months old and apostilled by the Prime Minister's Office.

So remember to request several copies of the marriage certificate before leaving the island, and to have the one intended for transcription apostilled while you are still there — it is much simpler than from Europe.

Where and how to get a marriage certificate apostilled

The competent authority is the prime Minister's office, in Port Louis. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies that the apostille is issued there and then countersigned by its services, and that the service is free.

Allow several business days between submission and collection—sources generally agree on a timeframe of two to four business days, with collection occurring upon presentation of the receipt. Therefore, factor this timeframe into the end of your trip: this is the only procedure that cannot be completed on the day of departure.

The published addresses vary from one source to another, between the New Government Centre and the Government Centre, and on different floors. None of them come from an up-to-date official website, and we prefer not to make a definitive choice rather than send you to the wrong office: confirm the address and opening hours during your stay, either with the Central Civil Status Office when you receive your document, or with your hotel or tour operator, who are familiar with the process.

If you have already returned, the apostille can be requested from abroad through a Mauritian diplomatic mission — hence the importance of taking care of it before leaving the island.

For other nationalities, the procedure depends on your country: contact your embassy or consulate before departure, not upon return.

The matrimonial property regime

By default, French spouses are subject to the statutory community property regime. Choosing a different regime requires a marriage contract drawn up before the ceremony, either by a notary in France or by the competent local authority. A copy of the contract must be submitted when applying for registration of the marriage.

By adding together the timeframes published by each administration, here is the sequence for a french couple, starting from their desired ceremony Date. this is a reconstruction based on separate official sources, not a published schedule as such.

• Twelve months prior: prepare and submit the application for a certificate of capacity to marry to the French embassy. Do not set any date until it is obtained — this is the recommendation of the embassy itself.
• Twelve to six months prior: think about the location and season, get in touch with hotels or the organizer, without confirming.
• Four months prior: call +230 201 1222 To obtain the cover sheet, confirm the mailing address for your application, and validate your schedule. since the Form is not downloadable, this call is necessary for everything that follows.
• Six months prior: obtaining the certificate of capacity to marry. Only then is the date set, and flights and accommodation booked.
• Three months prior: request the birth certificate of each Person — it must be less than three months Old — as well as documents relating to divorce, widowhood or change of name.
• Two months prior: submit the complete file to the Civil Status Division. This is the only submission in the procedure, and the deadline must not be missed.
• On site: go to the Central Civil Status Office to request publication, have the originals verified and receive the Certificate of Authority.
• Twenty-four hours after publication: the ceremony can take place.
• Before going home: gather several copies of the marriage certificate and have it apostilled by the Prime Minister's Office.
• On the return trip: submit the application for transcription, the processing time for which is announced to be at least twelve months.

We've transformed this calendar into a checklist that you can tick off, print, and keep with the documents you'll be gathering over several months. It outlines, step by step, what to request, from whom, and in what order, and includes the contact information for the two relevant government departments on the last page.

Download the Mauritius wedding checklist

The procedures are subject to change: check the version date indicated on the document, and consult this page again before proceeding. The checklist is a reminder, not a substitute for the detailed information provided above.

• Believe in three working days. This rule does not exist in the official Procedure. the risk is not arriving too late on the island, but starting the process too late from home.
• Set the date before obtaining the certificate of capacity to marry. For a french couple, this is the most serious Mistake: flights, hotel and service providers find themselves tied to a date that the administration cannot guarantee.
• Requesting the birth certificate too early. Three months of validity, six to eight weeks for Shipping: the window is narrow and can be missed in both directions.
• Apply the mixed couple procedure. Seven days of residence, affidavits, certificate of good character: none of this applies to two foreigners.
• Forget about transporting the officer. For a celebration held outside the office, the officer may request round-trip transportation. This should be arranged with the hotel or service provider.
• Wait until the last moment to request the cover sheet. It cannot be downloaded: it must be requested from the administration, and without it the file cannot be sent.
• Leave without having the document apostilled. The apostille is issued in Mauritius, at the Prime Minister's Office. Doing it remotely is an unnecessary complication.
• Planning an outdoor ceremony during cyclone season without a covered fallback plan.

When calling from abroad, precede Mauritian numbers with the country code. +230.

Civil Status Division — mauritian civil status

This is the contact person for the certificate application, the list of required documents, the verification of originals, and the date of the ceremony. The central office is located at 7^e floor of the Emmanuel Anquetil building, in Port-Louis.

• Publication of planned civil marriages: 201 1222 — this is the line that corresponds to your request.
• Civil status documents: 201 2808 — information : 201 3203 — central office: 211 8159.
• Online : csd.govmu.org, which includes the official page dedicated to the marriage of two non-citizens, as well as the list of the 34 offices on the island.

French Embassy in Mauritius

Single point of contact for the certificate of capacity to marry and for transcription.

The embassy will relocate in August 2026. According to the notice published on August 4, 2026, consular services are closed to the public from Monday, August 10 to Tuesday, August 18, 2026 inclusive, and are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, August 19 in new premises. Please verify the current address before sending any mail or traveling there.

• New address, normally valid from August 19, 2026: “The Workplace” building, 4^e floor, The Promenade, Telfair, Moka.
• Former address, until August 9, 2026: 14 rue Saint-Georges, Port-Louis, entrance to the consulate via 5 rue Auguste Rouget.
• Civil Registry Office: etat-civil.port-louis-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr — embassy: +230 20 20 100.
• Consular France: +33 3 59 39 71 85, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Paris time.
• Online : mu.diplomatie.gouv.fr — application form and appointment booking.

A move of consular services almost always produces a backlog: if your application is pending in the summer of 2026, expect additional delay beyond the announced six months.

Emergency services on site

Police: 999 or 112. Medical emergencies: 114. For healthcare facilities, see our page on... pharmacies, hospitals and clinics.

How many days do you need to be in Mauritius before getting married?

No prior residency requirement is imposed on two non-citizens marrying in Mauritius. The civil marriage ceremony can take place one day after the banns are published. The real constraint lies in the preparation: the file must reach the Central Civil Status Office approximately two months before the wedding date, with the administration requesting that documents be submitted six to eight weeks prior to the wedding.

Do we really need to be there three working days in advance?

No. This rule is very common on French-language websites but does not appear in the procedure published by the Civil Status Division. It likely stems from confusion with the marriage regime between a Mauritian citizen and a foreigner, which requires seven days of continuous residence.

How much does the civil ceremony cost?

Nothing if the ceremony is held at the civil registry Office. Rs 5,000 if it takes place in a hotel or other private or public venue, payable to the central civil Status Office. This Amount Is separate from any charges the hotel may apply for its own services.

What documents are required?

A completed cover sheet, two photocopies of each birth certificate written in English or French and issued less than three months ago, two photocopies of each passport, documents relating to a divorce, widowhood or change of name, and for a French national the certificate of capacity to marry.

Where can I get the marriage application form?

The cover sheet, entitled Application to marry for non-citizens under section 24A of the Civil Status ActThe form is not available for download on the Civil Status Division website. It must be requested from the administration by calling the dedicated line for the publication of planned civil marriages at +230 201 1222, or by going through the hotel or organizer who is preparing the file.

How long does it take to obtain a certificate of capacity to Marry?

The French Embassy in Mauritius announces a delay of up to six months, due to the volume of applications, and recommends not setting any wedding date before obtaining it.

Will the marriage be recognized In France?

It is valid, but it only takes full effect in France after being transcribed into the consular registers. The embassy indicates a delay of at least twelve months, which is extended if a certificate of no impediment to marriage is not provided.

Can you get married on the beach or in a Hotel?

Yes. The ceremony can be held at the office, in a wedding hall, at a hotel, or in any private or public venue, after a 24-hour notice period. Outside the office, the ceremony costs Rs 5,000, and the officiant may request transportation.

How many witnesses are Needed?

Two witnesses must be present at the time of the ceremony.

Is same-sex marriage possible?

No. It is not authorized by the Mauritian authorities, and the French embassy cannot celebrate it either. Only a symbolic ceremony, without legal effect, remains possible.

What is the best time to get married in Mauritius?

From may to october, during the dry season. The official cyclone season runs from 1^er november to May 15, with a more active period from January to March, where the risk of alerts and heavy rains makes an outdoor ceremony more uncertain.

What if one of them is Mauritian?

The procedure is entirely different and much more demanding: Seven days of continuous residence before publication, three affidavits, a certificate of good character, and a thirty-day waiting period for a private ceremony. this Is our guide to marriage between a mauritian citizen and a foreigner which applies.