The Legalities
Everyone getting married in Ireland must conform to the rules relating to marriage in Ireland. These rules apply whether you are having a marriage ceremony in a registry office, a church or other religious venue, or any other approved venue.
Firstly, you must give THREE FULL MONTHS notice of your intended wedding date and it is advised that you allow longer to make sure you have all the documentation required. Once you have decided on a date you should contact one of the Civil Regsitration Offices in Donegal (telephone: Buncrana 074-9362196; Letterkenny 074-9124576; Stranorlar 074-9198554).
Following is a list of requirements need for your interview with The Registrar:
(Scroll down for further rules relating to religious marriage ceremonies and civil parternships. NOTE: If you intend to marry in a church you should obviously check with the Priest/Minister of your chosen church of availablity dates).
"MARRIAGE NOTIFICATION CHECKLIST
Requirements for your appointment to attend the Registrar’s Office to fulfil your Three Month Notification of Intention to marry.
Both parties must attend the Registrars Office and you must contact the Registrars Office to make an appointment for attendance.
IMPORTANT: If you do not bring the required documents to your interview a second appointment will be necessary.
EACH PERSON MUST BRING
- Original Valid Passport - (Must be Current) & photocopy of passport page
- Original Birth certificate stating name(s) of parent(s) & photocopy
if born outside of Republic of Ireland this cert must bear an apostile stamp, if no apostile stamp is obtainable the birth certificate should be accompanied by a letter from the relevant Embassy attesting its authenticity)
- Prescribed Fee (non-refundable fee - €200 per couple) (additional charges apply for civil marriages in outside venues)
- Nature of Ceremony - (Civil/Religious)
- Name of Solemniser and full name of Venue/Church where wedding is to take place. (Solemniser must be recorded on list of registered solemnisers – to check please go to www.groireland.ie)
- PPS Number
- Name & Date of Birth of both witnesses – (must be over 18 years of age)
- Passport Size Photographs - (for Civil Marriage Notifications only)
IF DIVORCED
- Irish Divorce – Original/Original Certified Copy signed by Court Official/Solicitor of Divorce Papers & photocopy of same. Divorce Decree under Section 5(1) of the Family Law Act, 1996
- Foreign Divorce – Please contact the Registrar prior to making your appointment
IF WIDOWED
- Original Civil Marriage Certificate and photocopy of same
- Original Death Certificate of Late Spouse and Photocopy of same
IF YOU HAVE A CIVIL ANNULMENT
- Original Civil Annulment Papers and photocopy of same. If Civil Annulment has been granted from outside the EU please contact a civil registration office for further advice
- Letter of No Appeal
IMPORTANT NOTES
In cases where any of the above required documents are not written in the Irish or English Language, Certified Translations of such documents into English must be provided. Where one or both parties to the proposed marriage has a limited knowledge of the English Language you must engage an Interpreter to accompany you to your appointment and to your marriage
ATTENDING AT THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
At the notification meeting you will be asked to sign a declaration that there is no impediment to your marriage. You will be given a Marriage Registration Form which is your license to marry. This form will be signed by you and your witnesses and Solemniser on the day of your marriage. When it is returned to any registrars’ office, your marriage will be registered and it will then be the possible for you to purchase a marriage certificate.
RE-REGISTRATION OF CHILDREN
If the parties to the proposed marriage have a child born before the intended date of marriage, please inform the registrar for advice on re-registering the birth."
~~~~~
Everyone getting married in Ireland must adhere to the above rules and requirements and for those getting married in a religious ceremony there may be further rules. You can check them under the relevant religion listed below.
RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
~ Catholic
~ Church of Ireland
~ Methodist
~ Muslim
~ Presbyterian
~
CIVIL PARTNERSHIP (applies to same sex unions only)
~ Civil Partnership Rules
Firstly, you must give THREE FULL MONTHS notice of your intended wedding date and it is advised that you allow longer to make sure you have all the documentation required. Once you have decided on a date you should contact one of the Civil Regsitration Offices in Donegal (telephone: Buncrana 074-9362196; Letterkenny 074-9124576; Stranorlar 074-9198554).
Following is a list of requirements need for your interview with The Registrar:
(Scroll down for further rules relating to religious marriage ceremonies and civil parternships. NOTE: If you intend to marry in a church you should obviously check with the Priest/Minister of your chosen church of availablity dates).
"MARRIAGE NOTIFICATION CHECKLIST
Requirements for your appointment to attend the Registrar’s Office to fulfil your Three Month Notification of Intention to marry.
Both parties must attend the Registrars Office and you must contact the Registrars Office to make an appointment for attendance.
IMPORTANT: If you do not bring the required documents to your interview a second appointment will be necessary.
EACH PERSON MUST BRING
- Original Valid Passport - (Must be Current) & photocopy of passport page
- Original Birth certificate stating name(s) of parent(s) & photocopy
if born outside of Republic of Ireland this cert must bear an apostile stamp, if no apostile stamp is obtainable the birth certificate should be accompanied by a letter from the relevant Embassy attesting its authenticity)
- Prescribed Fee (non-refundable fee - €200 per couple) (additional charges apply for civil marriages in outside venues)
- Nature of Ceremony - (Civil/Religious)
- Name of Solemniser and full name of Venue/Church where wedding is to take place. (Solemniser must be recorded on list of registered solemnisers – to check please go to www.groireland.ie)
- PPS Number
- Name & Date of Birth of both witnesses – (must be over 18 years of age)
- Passport Size Photographs - (for Civil Marriage Notifications only)
IF DIVORCED
- Irish Divorce – Original/Original Certified Copy signed by Court Official/Solicitor of Divorce Papers & photocopy of same. Divorce Decree under Section 5(1) of the Family Law Act, 1996
- Foreign Divorce – Please contact the Registrar prior to making your appointment
IF WIDOWED
- Original Civil Marriage Certificate and photocopy of same
- Original Death Certificate of Late Spouse and Photocopy of same
IF YOU HAVE A CIVIL ANNULMENT
- Original Civil Annulment Papers and photocopy of same. If Civil Annulment has been granted from outside the EU please contact a civil registration office for further advice
- Letter of No Appeal
IMPORTANT NOTES
In cases where any of the above required documents are not written in the Irish or English Language, Certified Translations of such documents into English must be provided. Where one or both parties to the proposed marriage has a limited knowledge of the English Language you must engage an Interpreter to accompany you to your appointment and to your marriage
ATTENDING AT THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
At the notification meeting you will be asked to sign a declaration that there is no impediment to your marriage. You will be given a Marriage Registration Form which is your license to marry. This form will be signed by you and your witnesses and Solemniser on the day of your marriage. When it is returned to any registrars’ office, your marriage will be registered and it will then be the possible for you to purchase a marriage certificate.
RE-REGISTRATION OF CHILDREN
If the parties to the proposed marriage have a child born before the intended date of marriage, please inform the registrar for advice on re-registering the birth."
~~~~~
Everyone getting married in Ireland must adhere to the above rules and requirements and for those getting married in a religious ceremony there may be further rules. You can check them under the relevant religion listed below.
RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
~ Catholic
~ Church of Ireland
~ Methodist
~ Muslim
~ Presbyterian
~
CIVIL PARTNERSHIP (applies to same sex unions only)
~ Civil Partnership Rules