WEDDING PAPERS TO GET MARRIED IN GREECE

Wedding Papers to get married in Greece!

Organizing your wedding abroad can be complicated, but it shouldn’t be. If you follow the steps for paperwork that every country requires and you are organized then everything will be much easier. Greece is known for its beaches, sun, light, food and music and that’s why it is the perfect destination for a wedding to remember. We have prepared a list of the basic paperwork for a wedding in Greece. There may be differences by region or by different event selection so this list is a guide to start searching for the right documents. Make sure that you have ask the church, the City Hall or the venue where you will be getting married of their specific requirements before assembling your wedding documentation because different documents or fees might be required.

Civil wedding documents

1. Passport Copies.
2. Full Birth certificate of Bride and Groom, along with an official translation into Greek. Certified by Apostile stamp required.
3. Certificate of non-impediment to marriage, for both of you, along with an official translation into Greek. Certified by Apostile stamp required.
4. If has been previous marriages, you need to get a Divorce Certificate from Civil Authorities, along with an official translation into Greek. Certified by Apostile stamp required.
5. Official document from the Court, if you have change your name.
6. In some 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 to be issued your licenses.
7. Once these documents are assembled, you have to contact the Town/City Hall and they will guide you where they require to send your documents or supply the documentation in person to them.

Orthodox wedding documents

1. Passport Copies.
2. Baptism records. You have to be both baptized as Christians, in order to have an Orthodox wedding ceremony in Greece.
3. Birth certificate of Bride and Groom. The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.
4. Certificate letter from your local church of non-previous marriage, officially certified by the bishop of area of residence. The certificate should have an Apostille stamp of the Hague Convection in order to be officially translated into Greek.
5. Certificate of non-impediment to marriage, for both of you, along with an official translation into Greek. Certified by Apostile stamp required.
6. If has been previous marriages, you need to get a Divorce Certificate from Civil Authorities, along with an official translation into Greek. Certified by Apostile stamp required.
7. Official document from the Court, if you have change your name.
8. Greek Orthodox Church does not performs Religious weddings of a Christian to a non-Christian.
9. In some 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 to be issued your licenses.

Catholic wedding documents

1. Baptism records.
2. If has been previous marriages, you need to get a Divorce Certificate from Civil Authorities, along with an official translation into Greek. Certified by Apostile stamp required.
3. Confirmation certificate.This document proves that there are not any impediments for your wedding and must be obtained from the priest who baptized you and must be dated 3 months before your wedding date.
4. Freedom to marry certificate.
5. You must obtain a written permission from your bishop, saying that he gives you his permission to have your Catholic wedding Ceremony out of your Parish and especially in Athens, Monemvasia, Santorini etc

Symbolic Ceremonies

• Greece is a very popular destination for elopements and weddings . Know for its beaches and sun, bright light islands and great music, tasteful food and fabulous locations. So symbolic weddings are very popular too but they have no legal validity under Greek law. There is no documentation required and they can take place at any location you wish and between any religion or sex. But If you wish to have a legal certificate you have to get married legally in your country of residence before or after the symbolic ceremony in Greece or you can choose to have a Civil or Religious ceremony in Greece.

Some extras but important

• Translation. All legal documents submitted for the wedding, if are not already in Greek, must be officially translated into Greek. This means that the translation has been obtained by a Greek consular abroad or by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Greece. Note that fees apply.
• Apostille Stamp: This stamp refers the legalization and validity of your documents for international use. The Apostille Stamp is necessary for birth certificates and Certificates of Non-Impediment to marry issued by the Municipality where the person is registered.
• Timing. Most authorities and churches require publishes 3 months before the wedding to ensure their validity. Make sure you have made all relevant research in time on how to submit the above paperwork list from your local authorities.
• Registration. In Greece the local Register is called Lixiarchio and you have to proceed in person within 1 to 40 days after your ceremony. This is very important and you must remain at the location where your wedding took place for at least the next working day to submit the official registration. Make sure you have been informed about the working days and times of Register Office.
• Fees. You can check here the fees for document translate from Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

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