Seychelles

The Republic of Seychelles consists of a series of about 110 islands in the Indian Ocean about 1000 miles west of Mombasa, Kenya.
The Seychelles offers nature at her very best, and the pace of island life is ideally suited to those who simply wish to relax and unwind in stunning tropical surroundings. It must surely be one of the most beautiful island archipelagos on Earth – rich, lush, tropical vegetation, glorious beaches and the sparkling blue water of the Indian Ocean.

Weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
T	83	84	85	86	85	83	81	81	82	83	84	83
S	6	6	7	8	8	7	7	7	7	7	7	6
R	15	10	9	7	7	4	3	3	5	6	9	13

Key to symbols used:

T - Average daily maximum temperatures
S - Average daily sunshine hours
R - Average monthly rainfall (if higher than 0.5”)

Flight time: 10 hours
GMT + or -: + 4
Visa: Not required

Documents and Legal requirements
Residency: You must normally be in the Seychelles for eleven days before your wedding however, this can be exempted by applying for a Special Licence costing SR100, which is normally issued two days after application. Your marriage can be solemnised immediately afterwards.
Proof of ID: Your original birth certificate and a valid 10-year passport.
Proof of status: You are required to obtain a certified affidavit declaring that there is no lawful impediment or lawful hindrance why you cannot marry.
Divorced: If either of you are divorced you will need to produce your Decree Absolute with court stamp.
Widowed: If you are widowed the death certificate of your deceased spouse and previous Marriage Certificate is required.
Age restrictions: You must be 18 years or over to marry in the Seychelles. For brides under 18 you must have the written consent of your father. If your parents are not married then the consent of your mother will be accepted.
Name change: If your name has been changed by Deed Poll you will be required to provide legal proof stamped and signed by a solicitor. This also applies if a married woman has reverted back to her maiden name.

Ceremonies
Most couple are usually married at their hotel in the gardens or on the beach. It is even possible to arrange to wedding on a yacht if this takes your fancy.
Religious ceremonies can be arranged but not through the Civil Status Office. The law does not recognise religious ceremonies so you will be required to have a civil ceremony followed by a religious ceremony. You should ask your parish priest to contact a priest in the Seychelles direct and all other formalities detailed must be complied with. Contact the Seychelles Tourist Office for details of churches on 020-7224 1670.

Obtaining a marriage licence
You can make arrangements for obtaining a marriage licence with the Senior Officer of the Civil Status Office (see further information for address) but allow at least two months to process the documentation and to make the necessary arrangements. You must advise the date of your holiday, the name of the hotel where the ceremony is to take place and a preferred date (give alternatives). Your hotel must also confirm that your chosen date is acceptable and advise a suitable time of day. Send certified photocopies of the above documentation, taking the originals with you when you travel. The Senior Officer of the Civil Status Office will confirm the date of your wedding, fee details and whether further documentation is required. If your ceremony is to take place at the Civil Status Office the time and date can be pre-booked, however, you must report there on arrival with your original documents. Weddings in the office are normally performed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings only, in the presence of two witnesses. It is possible to have a ceremony performed on a beach but this is not normal procedure and would have to be arranged directly with the Civil Status Office prior to your travel date. Allow at least two months to process the documentation and make the necessary arrangements.

Further information

Seychelles Tourist Office 2nd Floor 111 Baker Street London W1M 1FE Tel: 020-7224 1670 Fax: 020-7486 1352 Email: sto@seychelles.uk.com Website: www.seychelles.uk.com

Senior Officer of the Civil Status Office PO Box 430 Victoria Mahe Seychelles Tel: 00-248-224030 Fax: 00-248 225474