U.S. Citizen Services
Marriage in Kazakhstan
Marrying a Kazakhstani Citizen
The following is an introductory guide for U.S. citizens who wish to marry Kazakhstani citizens. It describes the marriage process in Kazakhstan and the required documentation. Please be aware that procedures may change without notice. This information is meant as a general guide, not a definitive source. Please contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy for more information.
Marriage Procedures in Kazakhstan
If you wish to marry a citizen of Kazakhstan, you may choose between marrying him/her in the United States or in Kazakhstan. If you choose to get married in the U.S., you must complete paperwork for your fiancée to enter the United States on a K-1 visa. Click here for information on how to obtain a K-1 visa for your fiancée.
If you decide to get married in Kazakhstan, you should fulfill the requirements of the Law on Citizenship and Part Seven of the Marriage and Family Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. You and your fiancée must apply for a marriage license at the Office of Registration of Civil Events (GORZAGS). During the interview, you and your fiancée must prove that you are in good health and present the documents listed below. After you have received your marriage license, you may request a wedding date from either the ZAGS Office where your fiancée resides or from the Central Wedding Palace in Almaty.
Documents required by ZAGS for issuance of the marriage license:
- U.S. passport with Kazakhstani visa permitting the American citizen to marry);
- Affidavits stating that neither party is presently married and, if applicable, original divorce certificates from previous marriage(s) legalized by the Secretary of State;
- Notarized Russian translations of passports, affidavits and divorce certificates.
On the wedding day, the bride and groom must appear at ZAGS with two witnesses to sign the marriage register. At the end of the ceremony, the newlyweds are presented with their marriage certificate.
Processing your new spouse’s immigrant visa
After being married, please follow the immigrant procedures for Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas.
Contact information
City ZAGS Office
287 Baizakov St. (corner of Djandosov St.), Almaty
Tel: 42-69-94
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
City Migration Police Office (formerly OVIR)
86 Karasai Batyr St. (formerly Vinogradov St.) (corner of Masanchi St.), Almaty
Close to Nikolskiy Bazaar
Tel: 63-86-81
Tel: 54-41-45
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
For more general information on this subject and FAQ’s, please consult the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web site on “Bringing a Spouse to Live in the U.S.”