How to Get Married in Ireland

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Getting married in Ireland just got a whole lot easier, thanks to a law that went into effect on Valentine's Day, 2004. Couples may now marry any day of the week, any time of the day, and at any location as long as it is considered dignified. (Formerly civil ceremony vows could only be exchanged on weekdays and only within local registry offices.)

Couples still need to obtain the consent of the solemniser in regard to the time and place of the ceremony. Marriage licenses are available throughout the country.

Residency periods: There's a residency period of 15 days for your to be married in a civil ceremony. However, if you are planning two trips to Ireland (maybe for a site inspection to check out your wedding venue), you can both be in the district where you'll marry for seven days, then depart for at least 21 days but not more than a year, and then return to be married.

Paperwork requirements: If either party has been married previously, you'll need to produce either a divorce decree absolute or a death certificate, as appropriate. (If the divorce decree is not in English, you will need to provide a certified transation of the document.) Once this information is supplied, it is forwarded to the Registrar-General; this office must provide consent before the ceremony can take place. Allow two or three weeks to obtain this consent.

Church ceremonies are another option; these follow the laws of the church and may include posting of banns. To be legally married in a Catholic church, however, you must both be Catholic. There is no residency period for a Catholic wedding.

For More Information: Contact the General Register Office (Oifig an Ard-Chlaraitheora)
Joyce House, 8/11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2, Tel: (01) 6711000 Ext. 318

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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 local offices or wedding planners before making any plans.