Wedding Paperwork

It can be utterly confusing to plan a wedding abroad, let alone having to deal with the legalities and paperwork required in a foreign country. Even for us wedding planners there is an element of uncertainty as different regions, city halls or churches might sometimes require different documents or have some more extensive or more brief (if you are lucky!) requirements. Below is a list that will guide you into the main requirements of having a civil, religious or symbolic wedding in Greece.

Civil Ceremonies
With a few exceptions, such as in Santorini, civil weddings take place on particular days and times of the week at the town/city hall where you are intending to get married. So before you set a date it is essential that you speak with the personnel at the Town Hall to establish their availability, times and dates and book your slot!

- Required documents -

· Copies of your passports

· A certified copy of each applicant's birth certificate, along with an official translation into Greek. The birth certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· If either has been married before, a divorce or death certificate with an official translation into Greek. The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) ) for each, issued from the couple’s state, which is a testament that you are legally able to marry.The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· In some few cases, a publication in a national or local newspaper in smaller towns, is required announcing your wedding. Two copies of the publication must be submitted in order for your licences to be issued.

Once these documents are assembled, your point of contact at the Town/City Hall will guide you as to whether they require you to send or supply the documentation in person to them.

Greek Orthodox Ceremonies
Greek Orthodox weddings can be performed I a Greek Orthodox between a Greek Orthodox bride and groom or a Greek Orthodox and a on a Greek Orthodox who is however Cristian and baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity.

- Required documents -

· Copies of your passports

· A certified copy of each applicant's birth certificate, along with an official translation into Greek. The birth certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) ) for each, issued from the couple’s state, which is a testament that you are legally able to marry.The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) ) for each, issued from the bride and groom’s local church, which is a testament that you are legally able to marry in a religious ceremony. The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· A Baptism certificate , issued from the bride and groom’s local church. The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· A Baptism certificate of the Best an/Maid of Honor who must be Greek Orthodox from his/her local church. The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· If either has been married before, a divorce or death certificate with an official translation into Greek. The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

· In a few cases, a certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate, along with an official translation into Greek. The birth certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.

Symbolic Ceremonies
Symbolic weddings have no legal validity under Greek law, so they can table place at any location you wish and between any religion or sex. There is no documentation required so the only concern would be to book a wedding ceremony coordinator to perform this.

If you wish to have a legal certificate however you must make sure that you legally get married I your country of residence before or after the symbolic ceremony I Greece, or through a Civil or Religious ceremony in Greece.

Important notes
· Issuance & Timings

Most authorities and churches require the documents are publishes no more than 3 months before the wedding to enforce their most recent validity. Make sure however that before you hit the 3 month mark, you have made all relevant research beforehand on how to obtain the above paperwork from your local authorities.

· The Apostille/Legalization

Any foreign legal documents which are to be translated ad submited in Greece must be officially legalised with the Hague Convention Apostille Stamp. The Apostille is a stamp or seal that signifies the document is legal and authentic.

· Translations

All legal documents submitted for the marriage which are not in Greek must be officially translated into Greek. The term official translation means that the translation has been obtained wither by a Greek consular abroad or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Greece. Please note that fees apply.

· Registration of the Marriage

You must proceed to the official registration of your marriage at the local Registar (called Lixiarchio in Greek) after the completion of your wedding, within 1 to 40 days after your ceremony. This is very important when couples choose to have a destination wedding that they must remain at the location where their wedding took place for at least the next working day (weekday) to obtain their official registration. It is also essential to note that this process requires the bride and groom to be present in person for the process. Couples are advised to have their passports with them on the day.

· Other

Some churches or town halls might require that you supply to them a legal stamp also called Paravolo in Greek, obtained by a Greek Tax office of a minimal value of approx. €18. Please ask the relevant town hall or priest if this is required.

Some churches require that all religious documents are further certified by the highest Greek Orthodox bodies in Athens (called Iera Synodos) in the case of all the Greek Orthodox documents or by the corresponding Catholic body in Athens in the case of all the Catholic religious documents.

Last but not least, do remember to always ask the City Hall, church or venue where you will be getting married of their specific requirements before assembling your wedding documentation.