array(51) { ["_edit_last"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "4" } ["_edit_lock"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(12) "1707599371:4" } ["flexible_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(266) "a:11:{i:0;s:7:"content";i:1;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:2;s:7:"content";i:3;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:4;s:7:"content";i:5;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:6;s:7:"content";i:7;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:8;s:7:"content";i:9;s:18:"multiple_image_add";i:10;s:7:"content";}" } ["_flexible_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bbeb33068" } ["select_vendor"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(0) "" } ["_select_vendor"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5966138e6f820" } ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(3) "336" } ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(2) "60" } ["flexible_content_0_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(787) "Applying for your marriage licence: In order to get married, certified copies of the following documents will need to be provided in advance to a Births, Deaths & Marriage office in Fiji. We suggest doing this at least 2 months in advance in order to ensure there is no rush at the last minute to get your licence. What you’ll need for both of you: 1. Birth Certificates 2. Passports with valid legal status 3. If applicable, Divorce Certificates 4. If a previous spouse is deceased, a Death Certificate 5. A Certificate of Single status or Certificate of No Legal Impediment (see further notes on this below) 6. Passport photos Once you have these documents in order, you are able to apply for a marriage licence." } ["_flexible_content_0_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_1_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_1_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_2_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(2152) "How do I apply for a marriage license in Fiji? All overseas marriage applicants are required by law to obtain and sign a Marriage License from a marriage registry or district office prior to the marriage ceremony. Applications for a Special Marriage License can be obtained from Registries located in Suva, Lautoka, Labasa and District Registries in Nadi, Sigatoka, Navua, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, Korovou, Nausori, Levuka, Nabouwalu, Savusavu and Taveuni. Submit scanned copies of all your paperwork well in advance to one of the following BDM offices. Upon arriving in Fiji, you and your spouse will need to visit the office in person, bringing all original documents with you for completion of your marriage licence. The Registry offices are typically open from 8.00 am – 3 or 4.00pm Mondays to Fridays. The offices are closed on weekends and public holidays. For contact information for the registry office, see the following phone numbers (websites are not available): Suva: Address: Ground Floor, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade, Suva Phone: (+679) 3315 280 Email: m.sotutu@justice.gov.fj Sigatoka Address: Keasuna Building, Sigatoka Phone: (+679) 6500 954 Email: kulae.nalatu@govnet.gov.fj Nadi Address: GT Plaza, Vunavou Cresent, Nadi Town Phone: (+679) 670 0312 Email: krishna.naicker@justice.gov.fj Lautoka Address: Level 1, Westfield Mall, Tukani Street, Lautoka Phone: (+679) 666 5133 Email: kailash.bhoosan@justice.gov.fj Once issued, the marriage license is valid for 28 days effective from the date of issue and within this period the marriage must be officiated. The Marriage Officer/Celebrant must satisfy that the license is still valid on the day of your ceremony. We have attached a sample form below of the type of form you can expect from the registry office and suggest you source the official copy directly from a BDM office." } ["_flexible_content_2_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_3_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_3_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_4_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(955) "How far in advance should I be in Fiji to get married? While there is no legal requirement to be there a certain number of days in advance, we suggest that you arrive in Fiji a minimum of 3 working days before your wedding, to allow you time to get to the BDM office a couple of days in advance and ensure all details are in order. Am I able to bring my own celebrant? Under the laws of Fiji, only Fijian celebrants are allowed to officiate a marriage, however an arrangement may be undertaken between the overseas and the local celebrant. The overseas celebrant could participate in the vows and the blessings of the ring but the Fijian celebrant will solemnize the marriage and sign the marriage certificate. For Catholic marriages, a couple should bring their Baptism Certificate, written confirmations for the right to marry from one’s own parish priest and at least meet with the local Catholic priest." } ["_flexible_content_4_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_5_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_5_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_6_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(794) "The marriage certificate All registered marriage certificates will be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs to obtain an Apostille Seal, authenticating the marriage as legally binding and internationally recognisable. 2 witnesses over 21 years must be present at the ceremony, however if travelling alone most resorts can provide witnesses for you, please check with your wedding coordinator. All copies of certificates of marriage must be signed by the party, witnessed and endorsed by the minister or celebrant. One of the original A5 certificates will be given to you while the second certificate is forwarded with the license to the registry within 7 days to be registered. After that your registered Marriage Certificate is obtained for you and posted out." } ["_flexible_content_6_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["flexible_content_7_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_7_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_8_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(3633) "Single Status Certificates One of the most frequently asked questions we get is 'What is a Single Status Certificate and do I need one? Followed by 'Where do I get one of these? If you're planning to marry in Fiji, you are highly likely to need a Single Status certificate. This certificate verifies that you've not been married before during a specified period of time, generally from 18 years of age. A search/certificate is required for both parties wishing to marry. You can apply for a Single Status certificate in person or sometimes online (typically Births, Deaths and Marriages) in your home country, usually by State. Certificates are sent to you by the Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages in most instances. We have provided some samples of certificates below. Who needs one: A Certificate of Single status or Certificate of No Legal Impediment must be provided if: • The marriage is between non-residents marrying in Fiji • The marriage is between a non-resident marrying a local citizen • The marriage is by former citizens of Fiji with two years & above residency abroad. NB. Fiji had previously not required Single Status Certificates from a number of countries, however as of 2017, single status has been reinstated and it is now a requirement for overseas marriage applicants wishing to get married in Fiji (without exempting any country) to provide either "Single Status Certificate, Certificate of Search or Certificate of no Legal Impediment" Useful contacts to obtain your Single Status Certificate AUSTRALIA QLD SA VIC TAS NSW WA NT ACT New Zealand UK  The UK doesn’t issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries, so you need a signed statutory declaration from a JP stating that these are not formally issued in the UK but that you are declaring you are able to freely marry. South Africa: USA What if I was born in one country are living in another? Which country do I get the single status certificate from? If you have lived in your current country longer than 6 months you will need to supply it from the country you are living in; as well as supply it from your country of birth." } ["_flexible_content_8_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["_thumbnail_id"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "19496" } ["_oembed_d3aedbed6c0d6bf02fe75124a691cc48"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(11) "{{unknown}}" } ["flexible_content_3_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "20751" } ["_flexible_content_3_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_1_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "20753" } ["_flexible_content_1_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_5_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "20754" } ["_flexible_content_5_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_7_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "20755" } ["_flexible_content_7_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_9_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(5) "20756" } ["_flexible_content_9_image_repeater_0_add_image"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc9a3306a" } ["flexible_content_9_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_flexible_content_9_image_repeater"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bc5633069" } ["flexible_content_10_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(579) "Still need help? If you need further help with getting married in Fiji, we can point you in the right direction. Drop us an email and we will be happy to help! This article was written with the intention of being a helpful guideline only. Common sense prevails and this information should not be taken as advice, legal or otherwise. We suggest if you intend to marry in Fiji, you plan well ahead to ensure that your paperwork is attended to on time so your wedding day is also a legal marriage." } ["_flexible_content_10_add_content"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5943bda93306b" } ["_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(31) "Getting legally married in fiji" } ["_yoast_wpseo_focuskw"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(31) "Getting legally married in fiji" } ["_yoast_wpseo_linkdex"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(2) "40" } ["addvertise"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(0) "" } ["_addvertise"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(19) "field_5b8df0724eb32" } ["_wp_old_date"]=> array(6) { [0]=> string(10) "2018-07-26" [1]=> string(10) "2019-01-26" [2]=> string(10) "2019-05-26" [3]=> string(10) "2019-08-26" [4]=> string(10) "2020-01-26" [5]=> string(10) "2021-01-26" } ["custom_permalink"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(46) "fiji-wedding-inspiration/the-legal-information" } ["_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(1) "1" } ["_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(0) "" } }