Marriage Law in the Republic of Ireland

Any couple proposing to marry should contact their local Registration office and make

an appointment to meet the Registrar to give him/her their marriage notification.

While only three months notice is required by law, couples are advised to contact the Registrar well in advance before their intended date of marriage to ensure they can get a timely appointment.

When they visit the Registrar’s office, the couple must also pay the notification fee of € 150 and provide evidence of their name, address, age, marital status, and nationality.

All couples will need to produce the following:

  •     Passport or Driving License as ID
  •     If either party is divorced, original final decrees in respect of all previous divorces
  •     If widowed, death certificate of the previous spouse and the civil marriage certificate for their first marriage
  •     Their PPS Numbers (where applicable)
  •     Fee of € 150

All Couples will need to provide details of:

  •     The intended date of marriage
  •     Whether they require civil or religious ceremony
  •     The names and dates of birth of witnesses
  •     Details of the proposed solemniser and venue

All couples will have to complete:

  • A Declaration of no impediment stating that they are not aware of any lawful impediment to the proposed marriage

The Registrar will give the couple, and the proposed solemniser (in the case of Christian marriage, that is the priest or deacon), a confirmation of the date on which the notification has been received. [It should be noted that this acknowledgement is for record only and is not intended to be a license or certificate signifying the approval of the Registrar concerned to any proposed marriage.]

Once satisfied that all the required details have been provided and that the couple are legally free to marry, the Registrar will issue them with a Marriage Registration Form.

The Marriage Registration Form is a critical document, as it is effectively the civil authorisation for the marriage to proceed. All couples wishing to marry in the Republic of Ireland (whether with a religious or a civil ceremony) must first be issued with this Marriage Registration Form, otherwise the marriage cannot be civilly registered. This form should be given to the Priest prior to the church wedding ceremony.

[alert_green] Click here to print the Marriage Law in the Republic of Ireland checklist[/alert_green]

For further information please contact:

Civil Registrar
Community Care Centre
Cork Road
Waterford

Opening Hours: 9:30 – 1.00 and 2:00 – 4:00 Mon- Fri
Phone:             051 842824 / 051 842825 
Fax:                  051 842811

Or

General Register Office
Government Offices
Convent Road
Roscommon

Phone: 090 6632900
LoCall: 1890 252076
Fax: 090 6632999
http://www.groireland.ie