Marriage and citizenship: foreign spouses in Cabo Verde

Marriage between foreign nationals, or between a Cabo Verdean and a foreign spouse, follows the general rules of civil marriage in Cabo Verde, set out in the Civil Code of Cabo Verde (1997). Marriage creates a full legal bond between the spouses, but it does not confer nationality automatically: nationality follows its own rules, in the Nationality Law (Law No. 33/X/2023 of 22 August).

Requirements of civil marriage

• marriageable age and full legal capacity of the intending spouses;
• a declaration of will made before the competent authority;
• the absence of impediments (a subsisting prior marriage, kinship within the prohibited degree, among others provided for by law).

The process starts with the marriage process at the civil registry, with publication of the banns (editais) and verification of the requirements, followed by the celebration.

Marriage of foreign nationals in Cabo Verde

• foreign nationals may marry in Cabo Verde, observing the impediments of the law and the documentation of their civil status;
• foreign documents may require legalisation or an apostille;
• the property regime may be fixed by a prenuptial agreement (convenção antenupcial), within the legal limits; failing an agreement, the default (suppletive) regime of the Civil Code applies.

Marriages celebrated abroad

Marriages celebrated outside Cabo Verde require transcription in the civil registry to produce effects in the country, a service provided by the Cabo Verdean state. Without transcription, the marriage produces no internal effects.

Marriage and nationality

Marriage does not make the foreign spouse automatically Cabo Verdean. Acquisition of nationality through marriage requires, in the terms of Law No. 33/X/2023, a minimum marriage duration of 5 years, in addition to the other legal requirements:

• being of age;
• habitual residence;
• civic suitability;
• means of subsistence.

The law’s regulation is set out in Decree-Law No. 29/2024. Requirements and procedures change; always confirm the current steps with the official channels.

Key points

• civil marriage requires a prior process at the civil registry;
• marriages celebrated abroad are transcribed in the civil registry to produce effects in Cabo Verde;
• marriage does not confer nationality automatically;
• nationality through marriage requires, in the terms of the law, a minimum of 5 years of marriage and fulfilment of the other legal requirements.

When to speak with a lawyer

Legal support is useful for international marriages, transcription of marriages celebrated abroad, the choice of property regime, and preparing the nationality application through marriage. The directory lists residence and nationality lawyers.

This page is general information, not legal advice.