How to Get Married in Greece

Valid American Marriage Licenses are accepted in Greece provided that they do not contain restrictive statements. For example, "THIS LICENSE IS VALID FOR COUNTY X" or "MARRIAGE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, ETC."

If one of the parties to be married in Greece is not an American, the American should ascertain that complete information (full name, birth data, names of parents, etc.) is contained in the marriage license to avoid difficulties in its being accepted in Greece.

Applications and/or Documents Required to Obtain a Greek Marriage License: Bring along original copies of the following (and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked bags):

Passport or other travel document

Certified copy of Birth Certificate

If previously married, a certified copy of the divorce decree, or a death certificate if married ended due to death of spouse.

Confirmation that there is no impediment to the marriage. This confirmation is issued in the form of an Affidavit of Marriage signed under oath before a Consular Officer in Athens or Thessaloniki, and must be completed in English and Greek.

A copy of the newspaper in which the wedding notice was published. Wedding notices should be published in one of the local newspapers in the Greek language (and the names should be phonetically written in Greek and not in Latin Characters) before the application for a marriage license is submitted. In small towns where newspapers are not published, notices are posted by the mayor or president of the community at the City Hall Community Office.

Please Note:

All civil documents (birth, death, divorce, etc.,) must be endorsed with an official Apostille Stamp that can be obtained from the Secretary of State of the issuing state.

All documents in English (except passport) must be officially translated into Greek. This may take up to a week, so plan to give yourselves extra time.

Residency Requirements: none, however, the paperwork may take up to several weeks to process.

Either a civil or a religious ceremony (or both) may be performed in Greece.

Civil Marriages:

• All documents must be taken in person to the City Hall (Demarchio) or the President of the Community (Proedros Kinotetos).
  
• The marriage license is issued seven days after the submission of the application and is good for six months.
  
• The civil ceremony may be performed anywhere in Greece.
  
• Upon issuance of the marriage license, the concerned persons must jointly submit another application to the Mayor or President of the Community where they will marry. The official then sets the date for the wedding ceremony.
  
• Two witnesses, provided by the marrying couple, must attend the wedding ceremony, one of whom must serve as an interpreter. Witnesses should have their passports or Greek identification cards with them.
  

Religious marriages:

Please note that Greek law does not provide for the religious marriage of a Christina to a non-Christian.

All documents must be taken to the priest who will perform the ceremony. The priest will then apply for and obtain the marriage license.

Protestant Church

• Church requirements:
  • Both parties must show evidence of the Christian faith and baptism.
  • The couple must meet with the Pastor for a series of pre-marital counseling sessions, or must have a letter from their Pastor declaring that the counseling has been received.
  • The couple is responsible for making arrangements to have flowers in the church and/or the services of an organist.
  • One of the persons involved must be a Protestant, and neither can be of the Greek Orthodox faith.
  • Two witnesses must be available to attend the wedding ceremony.

Roman Catholic Church

• Church requirements:
  • Each party must present the following certificates: baptism (from the church in which it was performed), confirmation, and freedom to marry.
  • Banns need not be posted in the case of non-residents of Greece.
  • Special privilege is required in the case of mixed marriages. The non-Catholic party to the marriage must obtain certificates of birth, baptism, and freedom to marry form his or her church. Divorce is not recognized.
    

   

Jewish Faith

• Clerical Requirements:
  • A certificate of freedom to marry, issued by the senior Rabbinate of the area of residence, must be presented.
  • A Jewish marriage ceremony may be performed only if both bride and groom are of the Jewish faith.
    

Registration of Marriage:

• Marriages of American citizens in Greece must be registered at the Vital Statistics Office (Lixiarhio) of the city where performed. This applies to all marriages, whether civil or religious, and must be done within 40 days following the ceremony.
  
• Marriages can be registered by either spouse, or by a third party who is in possession of a power of attorney signed before a Notary Public.
  
• Marriages which are not registered have no legal validity.

~ by Liz Stiglets

Related Pages:

• wedding regulations in other destinations

Note: Lovetripper.com provides the above information for guidance purposes only. Couples should verify all information with the consulate from their respective countries and with the local offices before making any plans.