|
How
to Get Married in Spain
Be sure to plan ahead
if you are getting married in Spain. Approval of a marriage application
often takes as long as 45 days. Policies and procedures will vary
from region to region, so you should consult with regional authorities
as early as possible.
You may choose to
have a civil or a religious ceremony (or both). If you decide
to have both ceremonies, the civil ceremony must be performed
before the religious marriage takes place.
Civil Marriages
Applications and/or
Documents Required: Bring along original copies of the following
(and be sure pack these in your hand luggage, never in your checked
bags):
- Application
Form: This form can be obtained from the Civil Registry
or District Court. It should be signed by both bride and groom
and include their full names, occupations, places of residence,
and the citizenship of the couple and their parents.
- Birth Certificate:
The original document is mandatory. If you were not born in
Spain, you should submit the document with an "apostille,"
an official international seal verifying a document for use
outside its country of origin. (If you live outside of Spain,
you should also have a Spanish translation of the certificate
made and authenticated by the Spanish Consulate or Embassy nearest
your place of residence. If you are in Spain, the certificate
must be translated into Spanish by an official translator.)
- Proof Both
Parties Are Free to Marry: (Fe de Solteria y Vida) Civil
Registries have a document for this purpose that can be signed
when presenting the rest of the documents.
- If previously married,
you must submit proof that the marriage has ended. Certified
documents which originated outside Spain must be accompanied
by an apostille and Spanish translations.
- Certificate
of Residence: Legal residents of Spain can obtain a certificate
of residence at no charge from the Tenencia de Alcaldía
in their district of residence. (First confirm that you are
registered with the Censo). Foreigners who are temporary residents
of Spain or have lived here less than two years may complete
an affidavit regarding their place of residence before a consular
officer.
- Posting of
Banns: After the judge has accepted all the documentation
required, banns are posted for a period of fifteen days prior
to the marriage ceremony. Banns are a public announcement that
a couple plans to marry, giving any knowledgeable citizen (such
as another wife) an opportunity to object.
After you have assembled
these documents and the ceremony is performed, the marriage is
then recorded in the Civil Registry and a Spanish marriage certificate
is issued.
Religious Marriages
Couples will need
to first obtain authorization from the Civil Authorities by presenting
the documents listed under "Civil Marriages".
Spanish law recognizes
Catholic, Protestant, Islamic and Jewish marriages as valid in
Spain without the need of a second civil marriage. Regulations
may vary depending on the religious denomination.
For Catholic marriages, the arrangements generally take from one
to three weeks. The following documents must be presented to the
priest performing the ceremony:
- Birth certificate:
Spanish translation is required.
- Baptismal certificate:
This must be issued within the six month period prior to your
wedding, and authenticated by the issuing Bishop. A Spanish
translation must be attached.
- Proof Both
Parties Are Free to Marry (Fe
de Solteria y Vida).
After a religious ceremony, you have one week to present the
church-issued certificate to the nearest civil registry. The
marriage is NOT recognized in Spain if you fail to register.
~ by Liz Stiglets
Related
Pages:
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.
|
