A complete guide to the legal requirements for a wedding in Cyprus or Greece

Have you been thinking about how wonderful it would be to exchange your wedding vows overseas, overlooking the sea? You may be concerned that it would be a complicated procedure but it really isn’t. If you’d like a destination wedding, don’t be put off by the legal requirements. It is really very easy and BookYourWeddingDay.com is here to help! The key to a successful wedding in Cyprus or Greece is to make sure you have all the documentation you need with you, so here’s our handy checklist to make sure you know exactly what paperwork you need to take with you and how long you need to be in the country before your ceremony can take place.

Getting married in Cyprus

You will need:

1.    Valid Passports (Must have within 3 months from the wedding date)
2.    Full Birth Certificates
3.    Marital Status Certificate (Also known as Sworn Affidavit or Single Status Statutory Declaration) - with an apostille → The date on the document needs to be within 3 months prior the wedding not before 
4.    Decree Absolute (if applicable) - with an apostille
5.    Death certificate of the deceased spouse & previous marriage certificate (if applicable) - with an apostille
6.    Deed Poll (if applicable) - with an apostille
7.    Adoption certificate (if applicable) - with an apostille
8.    Evidence of parental consent (if applicable) - with an apostille

*Important Notes:
 
1. You must bring the original documents with you upon arrival to the country. Keep in mind that the registrar might need to keep all or some of the documents at the local Town Hall. If you like you can send for an apostille stamp true copies of the original documents required apart from the marital status certificate that needs to be the original (a solicitor can provide true copies).

2. The Marital Status Certificate is a Freedom to Marry certificate which can be produced by a UK-based solicitor, on their letter headed paper. Your documents must be signed and stamped by the solicitor no more than 3 months prior the wedding date. In case the solicitor does not have a letterhead, they can attach their business card on the certificate.

3. Apostille Stamp certificates can be acquired via the UK Government’s Legalization Office. You can find all information and the process in the following link www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

4. All types of wedding ceremonies require the presence of two witnesses who should have copies of their passports with them.

*Witnesses can be provided by the Town Hall if required.

5. Couples from non-EU countries need to get an Apostille Stamp on each of their wedding certificates after the ceremony in order for the certificate to be valid in their country. This procedure is mainly done by the Town Hall or Independent service providers at an extra charge (costs ranging from €35-€60, depending on the number of certificates and if these may need to be sent to the couple by post if they do not stay for many days).
 
Minimum residency period: at least 1 working day (excluding weekends) prior to the wedding day. (*couples need to visit the Town Hall in order to sign their marriage application).
 
*Note that for Cyprus, you can login to your booking up to 3 months prior to your wedding day to upload your legal documents and the town hall’s registrars will review and then approve them online for you.

Getting married in Greece

You will need...

1.    Valid Passports
2.    Full Birth Certificates
3.    Certificate of No Impediment - with an apostille
4.    Decree Absolute (if applicable)
5.    Death certificate of spouse & previous marriage certificate (if applicable)
6.    Certificate of Changing Name (Statutory Declaration)
7.    Deed Poll (if applicable)
8.    Adoption certificate (if applicable)
9.    Evidence of parental consent (if under 18 years old)

*Important Notes:

1. Based on Greek law, all foreign papers need to be officially certified with Apostille Stamp and officially translated into Greek by:
a) The Translational Department of Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, or
b) The Greek Embassy / Consulate in applicant’s country, or
c) A Greek lawyer in Greece
2. If you live outside your native country, the Certificate of No Impediment needs to be applied for in the country in which you have stayed for over 21 days.
3. You must bring the original documents with you upon arrival to the country. Keep in mind that all documents must stay in the local Town Hall.
4. All types of wedding ceremonies require the presence of two witnesses who should have their passports, or Greek identification cards with them, as well as photocopies.
*Witnesses can be provided by the Town Hall if required. 
5. The Marriage Certificate needs to be officially certified with Apostille Stamp by the local Town Hall in order to be able to register your wedding in your country (cost varies depending on each island’s local authorities).
6. The Translated Marriage Certificate can be ordered and sent to the couple as a legal proof of the marriage upon request (cost varies). Alternatively, you can arrange to issue this at your country.

Minimum residency period: 4 working days (excluding weekends) prior to the wedding day.
(*couples need to visit the Town Hall in order to sign their marriage application).

*Note that for Greece, you can login to your booking up to 4 months prior your wedding day to upload your legal documents and then BookYourWeddingDay.com will liaise with the town halls and you will be notified online for the approval of your documents. It is suggested that all documents are uploaded at least 4 weeks prior the wedding in order to be reviewed.

Book Your Destination Wedding Today

So you see, it’s not as complicated as perhaps you first thought, so the next step is to browse BookYourWeddingDay.com and start gathering ideas for the perfect venue for your ceremony! You can check Real-Time Availability and when you’re ready to book you’ll receive Instant Confirmation. These are exciting times and you just can’t beat a magical sun-filled destination wedding!
If you have any questions whatsoever, please do get in touch! Our platform offers online chat support 24/7 and our knowledgeable team would be happy to help you in any way.