Getting Married in Kazakhstan
- The Diplomatic Mission in Kazakhstan has no role in the process of marriage in Kazakhstan. U.S. diplomatic and consular officers may not perform marriages or serve as witnesses. Marriages may not take place at the Embassy.
- We are unable to provide you with a letter or certificate of no impediment to marriage or a letter or certificate stating that you are free to marry. The U.S. Embassy, part of the Federal government, does not have access to U.S. marriage records as they are handled on a local, county, or state level in the United States. However, if you would like to attest to an affidavit stating that you are free to marry or have not been married and have it notarized by the Embassy, you may book a notary appointment at the U.S. Embassy.
- A U.S. citizen marrying a foreign national does not lose U.S. citizenship, nor does he/she automatically acquire Kazakhstani citizenship if marrying a Kazakhstani citizen. Similarly, a foreign national does NOT acquire U.S citizenship simply by marriage to an U.S. citizen.
- After marriage, a U.S. citizen may amend his/her surname in a new passport to reflect his/her married name by presenting his/her U.S. passport and a certified copy of the marriage certificate to a consular official at the Embassy. A foreign national spouse who intends to reside in the United States must obtain a U.S. immigrant visa.
- For more information about marriage in Kazakhstan, please refer to the Kazakhstani Public Services and Online Information.