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How To Get Married While On Vacation in Europe & North America

If you are considering running off for a destination wedding in Europe, Canada or the U.S. and similar destinations, here are some legal requirements you need to know before you rush off to Greece, Italy, or Victoria. Whether you’re eloping or going abroad, it’s important to make sure you have all the right documents, certifications, and people required to be able to “finalize” your marriage and to make it legally binding.

Read our article: Exotic Wedding Destinations: Etiquette and How-To for more information on how to plan and execute a great destination wedding!

Read our article: Getting Married in Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii for regulations in these countries.

Country

Residency

Application

Documents/Requirements

Europe

Britain

7 days and 15 day waiting period

 

Passports or certified copies of birth certificates

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Greece

None

 

Passports & certified copies of birth certificates

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Certificate from consulate stating that there is no impediment to marriage

Two announcements of marriage in a local Greek newspaper (one for each person)

Documents should be prepared and translated by your local Greek consulate

Greek law does not provide for religious ceremonies for certain interfaith marriages (Christians to non-Christians; Jews to non-Jews)

Proof of religion (i.e. baptismal certificates) may be required

Italy

None

 

Passports & certified copies of birth certificates

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Declarations “atto notorio” sworn by 4 people before Italian consulate officer attesting that they know of no reason to object to marriage under the laws of the couple’s home country

Declaration sworn to by both parties that there are no obstacles to the marriage under U.S. law

Some documents must be translated into Italian with special apostilled* seals from state which the documents were originated

If one party is a citizen or resident of Italy, additional requirements may apply depending on city/region

Scotland

None

Notice must be sent to registrar 15 in advance (no earlier than 3 months). Bride or groom must meet with registrar in advance

Passports & certified copies of birth certificates

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Certificate of no impediment

 

Austria

none

Apply in person at Vital Statistics Office (Standesamt) with required documents (listed to the right)

Passports & certified copies of birth certificates (with names of parents)

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Certificate of residence (driver’s license, tax form)

Marriage license executed before a consular officer at your country’s embassy – stating that parties are free to marry the other according to laws of country

Documents must be apostilled* by Austrian officials

Documents (except for passports) must be translated by an official translator

France

One party must be resident for 40 days and will be asked for proof of residency (electric bill, rent paid, etc)

 

Passports & certified copies of birth certificates

French residency permits

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Documentation showing that both parties are free to marry each other in accordance with the laws of their own country

Medical certificate less than 2 months old

Both parties must obtain a pre-nuptial medical certificate attesting that individual was examined by a doctor

Proof of domicile in the city of marriage (telephone bill, rent bill, etc)

All documents must be officially translated into French

 

Spain

 

Approval takes 45 days

Application Form obtained from Civil Registry or District Court

Apostlled* copies of birth certificates

Proof both parties are free to marry

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Certificate of residence

Posting of Banns, posted for 15 days prior to marriage ceremony giving public announcement of the couple’s plans to marry

Canada

All provinces and territories

 

None, but administrative procedures can take 2-4 weeks to complete

Possible enforced waiting period between issuing a license and the ceremony, depending on the territory

Apply for marriage license in person together

Passports & certified copies of birth certificates

Proof of divorce or death certificate of former spouse (s) (if remarrying)

Visit: www.travelcanada.ca for more information

United States

All states

None, but receiving license can be up to 3 days.

$15-90 on average

Each state in the United States has its own regulations and requirements

Please visit here for a listing of each state and its requirements.

 

* “Apostilled” or “apostillized” means authentication, certification, legalization – usually done by a notary public or lawyer
* This information is valid as of Jan/15/08.

European Wedding

 

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