Azerbaijan Amends Family Code to Simplify Marriage Regulations Abroad

The Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan's national legislature, has approved amendments to the Family Code, aligning with Article 94 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The changes, aimed at streamlining marriage procedures for Azerbaijani citizens abroad, were enacted following recent legislation from March and May 2024.

The amendments primarily focus on Articles 13.2 and 13.5 of the Family Code. Notably, the word "marriage" in these articles has been replaced with "marriage, except for the case specified in Article 13.5-1 of this code," introducing new provisions for overseas nuptials.

The newly added Articles 13.5-1 and 13.5-2 outline specific guidelines for Azerbaijani citizens intending to marry at diplomatic missions or consular offices abroad. According to Article 13.5-1, citizens can now undergo mandatory medical examinations for marriage at accredited foreign medical institutions or those affiliated with the diplomatic missions or consular offices where they apply. This examination will be at the applicants' own expense.

Furthermore, Article 13.5-2 stipulates that applications for marriage at diplomatic missions or consular offices must be accompanied by a medical certificate from the institutions specified in Article 13.5-1, confirming the completion of the required medical examination.

These changes are part of a broader effort by the Azerbaijani government to simplify and regulate marriage procedures for its citizens abroad, ensuring consistency and compliance with domestic legal standards. The amendments also aim to safeguard the health and well-being of Azerbaijani citizens by mandating thorough medical checks before marriage.

Amendments to the law were approved by the President of the Republic on June 25, 2024 and published on July 16.

For further details, the full text of the amendments can be accessed in the legislative collection of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2000, № 3 (book I), Article 126 (Volume I), and the laws dated March 29 and May 21, 2024.