The Service: Re-Registration, Not a Recognition Regime
A civil act registered abroad — birth, marriage, divorce, death — often needs an official footprint in Georgia too: for an estate, a pension, a status application, or simply to appear in Georgian documents. For this there is the re-registration procedure — the creation of a separate record by the Georgian civil acts registration body on the basis of the foreign document. Through this service the Legal.ge team carries that procedure end-to-end: we assess your situation, determine the required documents, handle the apostille/legalisation question and represent you before the body.
One clarification matters from the outset: re-registration is a procedure, not a recognition regime. The legal recognition in Georgia of a marriage or divorce concluded abroad is a separate subject with its own page; this page concerns the creation of a Georgian record on the basis of a foreign one. The two routes are often both needed — and drawing the line precisely is the first step of the consultation.
To Whom It Applies and at Whose Request (Article 85)
The law defines the circle precisely: the re-registration in Georgia of a civil act registered by an authorised body of another state, concerning a citizen of Georgia or a holder of a permanent residence permit in Georgia, may be performed at the request of the person about whom the act is registered in the other state; and if that person is deceased — at any person's request. This means that in opening an estate the family too may request the re-registration of a deceased person's foreign acts.
The grounds are likewise set by law: re-registration is carried out on the basis of a certified copy of the civil act record, an extract from that record, or a certificate of the registration of the civil act. Additional grounds may be defined by an order of the Minister of Justice — which is why we verify the document list for each case in advance.
Foreign Documents: Apostille or Legalisation (Article 11)
The procedure for submitting and examining applications, and the rules and conditions of registration, are determined by the law and by the Minister of Justice's order. The requirement towards foreign documentation is clear: documents issued by an authorised body of another state which must be submitted to the civil acts registration body require legalisation or certification by apostille, unless the legislation of Georgia provides otherwise. The procedure for submitting documents issued in another state is likewise determined by the Minister of Justice's order.
In practice this is the point where matters most often stall: the apostille is missing, the translation is not certified, or the document was issued in another person's name. We establish the status of each document in advance, plan the apostille/legalisation and translation steps, and assemble the package so that one visit to the body suffices. As for the outcome: a civil act record enters into force upon registration.
What the Body Does Not Do: Amending a Foreign Record (Article 82)
One boundary must be known clearly: the civil acts registration body does not introduce changes, corrections or additions into a civil act record registered by an authorised body of another state. Such a record cannot be corrected here — it was issued within the competence of that state. If there is an error in the foreign record, the route runs to the authorities of that state; on the Georgian side, what is possible is only a re-registration on the basis of correct documents. This distinction dissolves many expectations and saves time.
Marriage and Divorce: the Boundary with Recognition
Questions concerning marriages and divorces registered abroad are served by two different routes. If what you need is the legal recognition of these acts in Georgia, see our separate page "Recognition in Georgia of Marriages and Divorces Registered Abroad". If, however, a Georgian record must be created on the basis of the foreign one — that is, re-registration — this service is precisely for you: on the grounds established by Article 85, with issuance of a certificate and full representation. Where the exact line falls depends on what your specific matter requires — we determine that at the first consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions we hear most often about re-registration:
At whose request does re-registration take place?
For a citizen of Georgia or a permanent-residence-permit holder — at the request of the person about whom the act is registered; if that person is deceased — at any person's request. This is especially significant in estate matters.
Which document serves as the basis?
A certified copy of the civil act record, an extract from that record, or a certificate of registration. Additional grounds may be foreseen by the Minister of Justice's order — we establish the list needed in your case.
Is an apostille required?
Yes — unless Georgian legislation provides otherwise, documents issued by an authorised body of another state require legalisation or certification by apostille. We decide in advance between apostille and legalisation according to your country.
Can an error in a foreign record be corrected in Georgia?
No. The registration body does not introduce changes, corrections or additions into a record registered by another state's authority. Correcting it lies within the competence of the issuing state; on the Georgian side the route is re-registration on the basis of correct documents.
How We Help on Legal.ge
Contact us on Legal.ge: we will assess your foreign documents and determine whether you need recognition, re-registration, or both; prepare the documentation — including apostille/legalisation and certified translation; represent you before the registration body and collect the Georgian certificate. A foreign act enters the Georgian system with one correct step — we take that step for you.