Marriage
This guide is intended to assist you with planning your journey towards the wedding day if getting married abroad
The different issues are addressed in the context of norms in the Diocese of Cork and Ross, Ireland. Getting married abroad introduces several other issues. These are not insurmountable once their relevance is appreciated. However, it is impossible to cover all the issues due to the range of locations, dioceses, rites, languages, etc. We hope to cover here some of the core issues.
Please note that no responsibility is accepted for the fact that local circumstances are subject to change and requirements of local jurisdictions vary. Always check with the relevant civil or ecclesiastical body before making decisions.
Who Will Recognise Your Wedding?
The most important dimension is to recognise that marriage has two sets of implications. Catholics will want their Church to recognise that they are married. As Irish citizens, couples will also want the Irish State to treat them as a married couple. Hence, marriage has to aspects: religious and civil.
In Ireland, both are traditionally blended into one ceremony because of a law that recognises certain ministers of religion as registrars of marriage for the purposes of the law of the land as well as the laws of the Church. Hence, couples that marry according to the rites of the Catholic Church in Ireland do not have to attend a ceremony at the registrar’s office also.
This is not always the case abroad. In some countries, a Catholic Church wedding ceremony is only recognised by the Church. Accordingly, the first significant issue that needs to be addressed is whether your wedding will be properly registered by the Catholic Church and by the State in the country in which you propose to marry. If the answer to both is yes, then your marriage will naturally be recognised by the Catholic Church in Ireland and will also be recognised by the Irish State.
The couple is responsible for ascertaining the answer to this question before making any arrangements.
Booking A Wedding Abroad
In theory, you may celebrate your wedding in any Catholic Church that is authorised by the local diocese if the officiating priest or deacon is authorised by the local bishop. Each local diocese has a list of such churches. You need to contact the particular diocesan office for further information. The Church in Ireland does not keep a list of such churches or priests!
If you are getting married abroad, you may be able to provide your own priest to officiate. If not, you will normally be either assigned one (Roman venues) or you need to ask for one to be assigned to you.
If you are planning a wedding abroad, it is your responsibility to ensure that a duly authorised Catholic priest is available to officiate. [Irish dioceses do not have lists of such priests, you need to contact the relevant diocesan office abroad.]
This is a list of some of the popular venues for weddings abroad:
Rome
Rome has the advantage of having a number of Irish priests based in either the seminaries, houses of study, the Vatican or religious orders who have churches in Rome. As a result, the ceremony normally will be in English.
The Pontifical Irish College
The Irish College is run by the Irish Bishops and provides seminary formation, post-graduate accommodation and pilgrim accommodation as well as being a venue for weddings. There is detailed information about getting married at the Irish College on its website at: www.irishcollege.org
San Silvestro in Capite (Pallotines)
The Basilica of San Silvestro was designated as an English language church by Pope Leo XIII and entrusted to the care of the Pallottines, a community founded by St Vincent Pallotti in 1839. The Pallotine Fathers also have houses in Ireland. Telephone: 00 39 06 6797775
Spain
The first issue you have to address is identifying in which diocese in Spain is the proposed venue for your wedding located. This includes resorts in mainland Spain, some Mediterranean resorts and the Canary Islands. The website of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference has a map of Spain and the islands which indicates the dioceses.
General points
If you ask the local Spanish diocese to provide a priest to officiate at your ceremony, be aware that the ceremony may not necessarily be in English (you may be asked to exchange your vows with the aid of an interpreter), it may be bi-lingual, and it may not include Mass in every instance. You need to check these issues yourself with the officiating priest.
The Islands
Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca are each separate dioceses. The Canary Islands are divided into two dioceses. The Diocese of Canarias includes the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerte Ventura. The Diocese of Tenerife includes the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma.
See the Spanish diocese map here (with contact details at the foot of the page)
[Language tip: “Arzobispado” means the Archbishop’s office. “Obispado” is the Bishop’s Office. “Más información” means more information, and usually is a URL.]
The Premarriage Course
Couples who celebrate their wedding abroad are not exempted from the need to undertake adequate pre-marriage preparation. This is because the focus of the preparation is not on the wedding day – it is on preparation for married life. The priest who completes your pre-marriage papers is responsible for ensuring that you are prepared for this life-long commitment.
Most couples choose to satisfy this requirement by furnishing evidence that they have participated in an approved pre-marriage course.
See separate section on providers of premarriage courses in our area
Planning the Marriage Ceremony
The premarriage course will not deal directly with all the issues involved in preparing the ceremony. This is done with the priest or deacon who will be officiating at your wedding. You should ask the officiating minister abroad what options are available to you. These vary from country to country and from culture to culture.
Church Papers
Each Catholic getting married needs a completed Prenuptial Enquiry Form which will be provided by one of the priests of your current parish. This takes about 20 minutes to complete and is usually done by appointment. Both people do not need to be present unless you already live in the same parish.
If your partner is not a Catholic, your priest will need to apply to the bishop for a ‘dispensation’ - a formal recognition of your marriage. Your local priest will process this for you. Allow extra time for this process.
When meeting with the priest to complete the papers - at least four months before the wedding, - you need to bring:
- A Certificate of Baptism from the church where you were baptised, which has been issued in the six months prior to the date of the marriage.
- A Certificate of Confirmation from the church where you were confirmed (not required if your Certificate of Baptism includes a record of Confirmation).
- Letter(s) of Freedom: Needed if you lived for more than six months in a parish other than your current one since you were aged 16. (Obtainable from a priest of the relevant parish(s); not needed for college years.)
- Evidence of pre-marriage preparation. (A Certificate will be issued to you at the end of the course.)
The priest who completes the premarriage papers of the groom forwards them to the priest who completes the premarriage papers for the bride. The latter then forwards both sets of papers to the Diocesan Secretary. The papers are checked thoroughly to ensure that they comply with local Church law and norms and are then forwarded onwards by registered international mail or courier (You may be asked to contribute to the cost of sending the papers abroad in this fashion.).
If the marriage is being celebrated in Rome, the papers are sent to the Church authorities of the venue where the marriage is to be celebrated. These take them to the Diocesan Office in Rome where they are checked and —if all is in order - permission for the marriage is granted.
For other venues abroad, the papers are sent to the bishop’s office of the place where you intend to marry. The diocesan authorities with jurisdiction over the venue for the marriage are asked to give permission for the marriage to go ahead and, if so, they forward the papers to the parish priest of the venue.
These papers are stored at the parish where you get married after the ceremony and an entry detailing your marriage is made in the church’s Marriage Register. The church where you were baptised is also notified and an entry is made in your baptismal record. The parish church of the place of your marriage will later be able to supply you with a church certificate of marriage.
State Requirements
If you are getting married abroad, be sure to check well in advance of making arrangements as to what the civil authorities of that country require for the civil registration of your marriage. Most European countries (including the civil authorities in Rome) require a letter from the Irish government to the effect that you are free to marry.
You need to notify the Department of Foreign Affairs, (Marriage Abroad section), 80 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.
Once your marriage satisfies the requirements of another jurisdiction and is registered there, it is recognised here in Ireland (but is not registered here).
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my partner is not baptised?
The Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church is normally celebrated between two members of the Church who are free to marry, and is celebrated in the presence of a duly authorised priest and two witnesses in a Catholic church. The local bishop may permit deviation from some of these, including the requirement that both parties be baptised Catholics.
The formal name for what the bishop does in this circumstance is he gives a “dispensation from disparity of cult”. Your local priest makes the application on your behalf to the bishop if your proposed spouse is not a baptised Christian. This is done on paper only and does not require that you engage in any formal process. The dispensation is then enclosed with the rest of the required premarriage papers. My proposed spouse is not Catholic but is a member of the Church of Ireland. How will this affect our plans to marry in church? If your proposed spouse is not Catholic but is a baptised Christian and a member of the other Christian Churches (e .g. Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) Catholic Church law requires that the local bishop issue a “permission for a mixed marriage”. Your local priest submits the application on your behalf. This process is straight-forward but will require an extra few weeks. Discuss the issue with the priest preparing your premarriage papers in good time.
See also the Anglican Church information on “mixed marriages”
You may also get advice from the Association of Interchurch Families
I was baptised in England but I am not confirmed. Can we still celebrate Christian marriage?
In order for the marriage to be valid, you must be fully initiated in to the Church, i.e. you need to have celebrated Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. An adult can celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation after due preparation in their local parish either as part of the usual ceremony presided over by the bishop or at a special ceremony presided over by the parish priest—who can be delegated by the bishop.
Ask your local priest for more information.
What is the charge for the use of the church?
In general, most churches do not require a fee for marriage ceremonies. However, a donation that is given to offset the costs of keeping and running the building is always appreciated. As well as preparing the church by cleaning it, the church running costs include light, heat, decoration and insurance for you and your guests.
Some smaller churches and chapels that are not parish churches have set fees because their primary income is from these, e .g. Honan Chapel, UCC.
What should we pay the priest?
Priests do not charge hourly rates or fees. They rely on the voluntary offerings of the faithful. These offerings are made at set times throughout the year (parish dues) and at times when particular services are rendered (baptism, marriage, blessings, funerals, etc).
It is helpful to note that you will receive the following services/supports from the priest(s) involved in your wedding plans:
a) Time spent at initial meeting to arrange dates/venue.
b) Time spent preparing and planning the ceremony (and booklet) with you.
c) Time spent conducting the rehearsal.
d) Time spent ensuring that all necessary paperwork is in order.
e) Time spent preparing the church and officiating at the ceremony on the day.
Having considered these factors, the decision is left to the discretion of the couple.
Where is the list of banned music for weddings?
It doesn’t exist! What does exist is a vast repertoire of music and hymns spanning the centuries which capture some of the essential values associated with the Sacrament of Marriage, Christian living and married life. Many of these themes are also reflected in contemporary church music.
In selecting someone to lead the music, ensure that they are versed in appropriate music and hymns. Also ask your priest for assistance.
I am married already but it was in America and was only for a month. Now I want to marry the person I am with for the past two years. Can we marry in church?
The particular question raised here is whether you are ‘free’ to marry. In other words, in your present circumstances, are there any impediments which would prevent your marriage from being valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
The critical question, therefore, is: did you already contract a valid marriage in the eyes of the Church?
If you did, and if the spouse is still alive, then may not be free to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. If you contacted a marriage only in the civil forum and if there are no obligations still arising from that union, then you may be free to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage.
You need to make contact with your local priest who will be in apposition to contact appropriate authorities to help you assess whether you are free to marry in Church or not.
Do I have to print a booklet for the ceremony?
No. The booklet is an optional extra. Consult the priest/deacon who will officiate before you plan any booklet. If you print a booklet it should have a clear purpose, e.g. to assist the congregation in participating fully in the ceremony. That would indicate that it should contain the words of the hymns and other texts needed for responses.
There is no point in printing in a booklet every single word that is going to be spoken, read or sung at the ceremony - most people prefer to be able to look at what is happening rather than read it.
The people proclaiming the scripture readings should have prepared them so that the congregation can hear the Word of God without also having to read it!
Can I have a Church blessing on my wedding day?
This is a phrase which is becoming current in conversation but whose precise meaning remains a mystery! In general, there are no restrictions on blessings for members of the Catholic Church. [Clergy regularly ask God’s blessing for people who are ill, travelling, new-born, troubled, doing exams, moving into a new home … and in a wide variety of circumstance.]
When Roman Catholics celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage, part of the ritual is a prayer whereby the couple asks God to “bless our marriage, keep us faithful”. Each couple who celebrates the Sacrament of Marriage is recognised by the Church as being validly married.
If you are not free to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage for whatever reason, the Church cannot recognise your union as a valid marriage - even if the law of the land does. It is often in this circumstance that couples speak of a “blessing” as if it were an accepted alternative to a sacramental marriage. There is no provision in the rites of the Church for such a “blessing”.
Nonetheless, ministers of the Church will always seek to be sensitive to particular circumstances and all people are encouraged to participate as fully as they can in the life of the Church. However, rituals which have the appearance of or the same structure as a Marriage ceremony are forbidden when one or both parties are not free to marry.
What is a Papal blessing?
The Sacrament of Marriage is a very public event and it also has implications in the whole Christian Community. The couple is undertaking to give witness to the love of God by expressing their love for one another and for all people. The whole Church rejoices with the couple in their love and in their prayer for a happy life together.
Many couples wish to have this expressed in the Papal Blessing. This is a parchment script which is signed in Rome on behalf of the Pope, in which the Pope prays for the couple’s happiness. It is customary to have it read at the end of the Wedding Ceremony.
Couples can order it (at least four months before the date) from one of the retailers who process them. The couple needs a signed and stamped letter from a priest indicating that they are Catholic and they supply all the details to the retailer. [In Cork, contact Veritas, Carey’s Lane, or Roman House, North Main St.]
Can a priest who is a friend of mine officiate at my wedding?
Yes, provided he is in good standing with the church and is also on the register of solemnisers maintained by the General Register Office. Priests who are not part of the Diocese of Cork and Ross and who do not hold an appointment in the diocese will be asked to produce a “celebret” to the parish priest or dean of the church where the wedding is to take place. [This is a ‘certificate’ from the priest’s bishop or superior indicating that he is authorised to celebrate the sacraments.]
In order to legally officiate at a marriage in this diocese Irish law requires that a priest who is normally resident in another country needs to be registered on the list of temporary solemnisers with the General Register by the diocese. The priest needs to send the following information to The Diocesan Secretary, Cork & Ross Offices, Redemption Road, Cork. Email the Secretary
(1) The priest’s full name, address, telephone number and date of birth.
(2) A testimonial letter from the priest’s bishop or religious superior,
(3) The place and date of the marriage,
(4) The names of the parties to the marriage.
The couple may not be issued with a Marriage Registration Form until the priest is registered as solemniser.
What is the three months notice about?
It is Church law that you need to give at least three months notice to the parish priest of the place where your wedding will take place. This is to allow for sufficient time for all the necessary formalities to be completed.
The Irish State also requires that similar notice be given to the Registrar who will be responsible for registering the marriage in civil law.
What if my marriage papers don’t arrive in Mexico?
If you are getting married in a church abroad and you have completed all the papers at home but they did not arrive, do not panic! If the papers have been sent from the Bishop’s Office in Cork but have not arrived at their destination, the Office will issue a declaration to the corresponding diocese abroad that the papers are in order and that the wedding can proceed.
Planning The Ceremony
The pre-marriage course will not deal directly with all the issues involved in preparing the ceremony. This is best done with the priest or deacon who will be officiating at your wedding. This text is designed to act as a guide to the central issues and it also outlines what paperwork is required by the Catholic Church and by the State.
Make It Yours
There are several ways in which you can create a special atmosphere for your marriage ceremony. The overall structure of the ceremony has options; there is a rich array of appropriate music and hymns; you can compose particular prayers which express your needs or you can use ones which are preprinted in the authorised texts; and there are several formats for exchanging marriage vows. You may not want to be original with every aspect of the ceremony but you can personalise it so that it will reflect you as a couple and your faith journey.
Most couples will have contact with a number of priests in the preparation of your marriage (see also “Pre-marriage Papers” ). The priest whom you choose to officiate at the ceremony will have a central role in planning the ceremony with you. It is advisable that you make contact with him at least three months in advance and prior to making any other arrangements that affect the ceremony - such as printing booklets. Having made this journey with many others he will also be able to offer advice and assistance.
Format
While most couples will want to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage in the context of the Eucharist, some couples may deem it appropriate for them to celebrate their marriage without Mass. In this case, a Liturgy of the Word is planned along with the Rite of Marriage. This option offers the same opportunities for involvement in the ceremony as a ceremony with Mass. This option may be especially appropriate for couples of mixed religion. Consult your priest for full details.
[An overview of all the options available and about which choices need to be made in consultation with your celebrant can be viewed and/or downloaded The Wedding Ceremony Planner.]
Scripture Readings and Prayers
The part of the wedding ceremony which includes readings from the bible is one of the places where participation by your family and friends may be appropriate. A few points are worth noting:
- It is best to select readers who have read in church before. Others will be under pressure and probably will require more preparation so that they may do justice to the reading.
- There are usually four scripture texts: two readings which can be read by people of your choosing, a psalm which may be sung or recited, and a gospel which is read by the priest or deacon. Choose your scripture texts in consultation with the officiating priest or deacon. [References to a selection of suitable readings are given here. You need to ensure that the version of the readings you use is either the Jerusalem Bible or the Revised Standard Version.]
- The Prayer of the Faithful is comprised of short intercessions and may be appropriate to family members and relations whom you wish to include in the ceremony. You are also welcome to compose your own prayers of intercession - for deceased family members, for people who have made a special contribution to your lives, for absent friends, etc.
- If there is another text from somewhere other than the bible which you would like included in the ceremony, it may be more appropriate to have it as a reflection after Communion.
Music
The music and hymns you choose for your ceremony will say a lot: to the guests, about whether they sit and watch or actively participate in the ceremony; to the atmosphere, whether it’s to be prayerful and engaging or fragmented and distant. A wide variety of appropriate material has been published. Choose a singer/musician who is familiar with these and with the guidelines of the Irish Bishops’ Conference. Many churches have organists and cantors who will be available to you by arrangement with them.
Choose music which will be appropriately part of your ceremony and will complement it rather than compete with it. A wide variety of appropriate Church Music in print and tape/CD is available at Veritas shops. See Veritas
Floral Arrangements
Many churches have altar societies who will be happy to assist you. Ask one of the priests or the sacristan about the local practice - it varies from place to place. Florists whom you may contract should ask about local practices before doing their work. If there is another wedding on the same day, enquire whether the other couple may wish to share the flowers and cost. Please note that floral displays should not conflict with the liturgical season. Extravagant displays may be inappropriate at any time but are especially out of place during the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday).
Candles
The ritual involving the lighting of three candles is an option. If you wish to include it in your ceremony, check with the priest whether you need to provide candles and a candelabra. If you purchase your own wedding candle it could be lit in your home annually on your anniversary. (Ensure that someone collects it from the church after the ceremony!)
Rings and Coin
The wedding rings are a sign of your commitment to one another and a reminder of the Lord’s unending love. They are blessed as part of the ceremony before you place them on one another’s fingers.
The Rite also provides for the exchange of suitable gifts or coins as a symbol of your commitment to complete sharing. You may use small gifts which are known only to the couple. Traditionally, a coin was used and was given by the groom to the bride. It is now considered more appropriate to have two coins and to have a two-way exchange.
Lights, Camera
Professional photographers and videographers are able to ensure they capture well lit images without intruding on the ceremony with movement or additional flash light.
They’ll know where to place themselves so that they capture strong images without themselves becoming a feature.
The less movement they need to do during the ceremony the better. If they are not familiar with the church where you are getting married, ask them to attend the rehearsal with you.
Ushers
Many of the people whom you invite to your marriage ceremony will be unfamiliar with the particular church. Some will tend to remain at the back. It is worth asking a couple of people nominated by you to act as ushers in the church. These would simply welcome people and encourage them to come to the front of the church as they arrive and so create an intimate atmosphere for your special celebration rather than having people scattered around the church. They could also distribute ‘button holes’, booklets, etc, to people.
Booklets
Printed Mass booklets are not a necessary part of the ceremony. Their only possible use is to enhance the participation of the people. If you choose hymns which the congregation can sing, it may help if they have the words in a leaflet or booklet. However, if all the singing is by a soloist, there’s no point in printing the words. Similarly, a booklet which has every spoken word of the ceremony in it can be a distraction.
Plan your ceremony first in conjunction with the officiating priest, then decide if a booklet will enhance it or detract from it. Don’t copy somebody else’s booklet - you may end up copying their mistakes too! Your priest will help and advise.
Altar Servers
You are not obliged to have altar servers at your ceremony. However, their presence is a visible reminder that your marriage is not private, that it involves the whole parish community which the young people also serve. You may have young relatives who would like to serve at the ceremony. Otherwise, check with the church about local arrangements.
Papal Blessing
Some couples like to have their special day enrolled for prayers by the Holy Father at the Vatican. It is also a reminder that your marriage concerns the entire Christian family.
Further information and application form
Signing of Civil Registration Form
Each couple needs to receive the Marriage Registration Form from the local registrar of marriages. After you have exchanged your consent and the formal ceremony is complete, you will be asked to sign the registration form which you will be given to take to the local registrar of marriages. The priest and your witnesses also sign this form. Most couples prefer to sign it in the sacristy but it may also be signed in the main body of the church. (It is inappropriate to use the altar for this purpose since this is reserved for the Eucharist, but a separate smaller table may be used.) It is the couple’s legal responsibility to ensure that the marriage is registered with the civil authorities within one month of the wedding taking place. The priest registers the marriage in the local parish register and notifies the church(es) of baptism of the fact that you got married.
Offerings
Some churches have set fees which you are required to pay for the use of the church on your wedding day. Most parish churches do not have a fee for the use of the church but a voluntary donation towards the upkeep of the church is appreciated.
It is also customary to provide an offering for the sacristan at the church, and altar servers. (Most sacristans are not paid to work afternoons. If they set up the church for your wedding, a gratuity is appreciated. How much? Usually €20 is adequate.) The offering for the priest is part of his annual income. Most priests spend significant time with you in completing papers, discussing the ceremony, doing the rehearsal and officiating at your ceremony on the day. On average, this may amount to 12 hours of work. He will also do background preparation to help ensure that all that you require, what the church requires and what the state requires are in order for your marriage. Your offering should reflect your means. It should also reflect what the other professional services you use on the day will cost. (How much? The minimum recommended is €120.)
Guidelines for paying the church organist were provided by the National Liturgy Centre in 2002. The relevant extract reads: “The minimum suggested fee is €100, but should be higher when the musician is required for a rehearsal or when music has to be purchased or learned. It is well established practice that where a church professionally employs an organist, he/she is normally entitled to receive a ‘displacement’ fee when the marriage couple wish to use an organist of their own choice.”
Rehearsal
A meeting with the officiating priest or deacon in the church a few days beforehand can help put people at ease. Its primary value is for the couple as it helps to clarify the sequence of events and to outline what happens and where in the church. It may also be appropriate for readers and others to practise their particular contribution to the ceremony.
Time
Prompt arrival at the church shows respect for your partner, the ceremony, your guests, and others who wish to use the church later. Being late also puts a strained atmosphere on your ceremony. Please be on time.
Church Papers
Each Catholic getting married needs a completed Pre-nuptial Enquiry Form which will be provided by one of the priests of your current parish
This takes about 20 minutes to complete and is usually done by appointment. Both people do not need to be present unless you already live in the same parish. Each Catholic party to the marriage needs to have one completed by his/her priest.
If your partner is not a Catholic or is a non-Catholic Christian (has been baptised in a non-Catholic Christian church whose baptism is recognised by the Catholic Church e.g. Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist) the priest completing your premarriage papers will need to apply to your bishop for a ‘dispensation’ or permission. (This is because it is understood that the Sacrament of Marriage is normally celebrated by two Catholics.) Your priest will process this for you. Allow extra time (usually about two weeks) for this process.
When meeting with the priest to complete the papers - at least a month before the wedding, - you need to bring:
- A Certificate of Baptism from the church where you were baptised, which has been issued in the six months prior to the date of the marriage.
- A Certificate of Confirmation from the church where you were confirmed (not required if your Certificate of Baptism includes a record of Confirmation).
- Letter(s) of Freedom: Needed if you lived for more than six months in a parish other than your current one since you were aged 16. (Obtainable from a priest of the relevant parish(s); not needed for college years.)
- Evidence of pre-marriage preparation. (A Certificate is normally issued to you at the end of the recognised courses.)
The priest who completes the pre-marriage papers with the groom-to-be forwards his papers to the priest who completes the papers for the bride-to-be. He then forwards both sets (if applicable) to the parish priest or priest-in-charge of the church where the marriage is to take place.
These papers are used to fill in the information required for the State’s Registration of Marriage Form and they are then filed at the parish where you get married. An entry detailing your marriage is also made in the church’s Marriage Register. The church where you were baptised is also notified and an entry is made in your baptismal record. The parish church of the place of your marriage will be able to supply you with a church certificate of marriage.
State Requirements
Following the commencement of Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, anyone notifying a Registrar after 5 November 2007 of their intention to get married in Ireland must give 3 months notification in person to the Registrar. This applies to all marriages, whether solemnised by a Registrar or according to religious rites and ceremonies. The Registrar does not have to be the Registrar for the district where you live or where you intend getting married.
You need to make an appointment with the Registrar in order to give the notification. In order to ensure the notification is given at least 3 months before the date you intended getting married on, it is advisable to arrange the appointment well in advance. When you make the appointment with the Registrar you will be informed what information and documents you need to bring with you.
When you attend the Registrar you will have to make a declaration of no impediment. The Registrar will issue an acknowledgement to both of you and the proposed solemniser of the marriage confirming the date of receipt of notification. If all the information required has been supplied and there is no impediment to the marriage, the Registrar will issue you with a Marriage Registration Form (MRF). The couple must present this MRF to the priest solemniser in advance of the wedding day.
At the end of the wedding ceremony you will be asked to sign the Marriage Registration Form. This is witnessed by your best man and bridesmaid, signed by the priest, and returned to the couple. The couple must return this MRF to the registrar no later than a month after the marriage ceremony. The marriage is registered for the state by the local registrar and the local registrar will then be able to supply you with a civil certificate of marriage.
For up-to-date information and all matters relating to civil registration of marriage in Ireland consult the General Register Office
