Getting Married in Greece: A Guide to the Required Paperwork
Greece is a popular wedding destination, known for its beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, and warm climate. If you're planning to tie the knot in Greece, it's important to know what paperwork is required to make your marriage legal. In this guide, we'll walk you through the paperwork needed to get married in Greece.
1. Documents Required in Zakynthos for UK and other Non-EU Citizens
If you're a non-EU citizen (such as the UK), you'll need to provide these documents to get married in Greece.
A long-form birth certificate, which includes the names of both parents for the bride and groom.
Certificate of no impediment to marriage.
Divorce / death certificate / adoption / change of name certificates where applied,
Passports of the bride and groom
All of these documents must be translated into Greek and certified by a notary public or a Greek consulate. You'll also need to provide two witnesses who are over the age of 18 and have a valid ID card or passport.
2. Other Documents that may be required
Whether you're a Greek citizen or an EU foreign national, you'll need to provide certain documents to get married in Greece. These could include:
A valid passport or ID card
A certificate of marriageability, which shows that you are eligible to get married under Greek law
A certificate of baptism (if applicable)
A certificate of divorce or death certificate (if applicable)
All of these documents must be translated into Greek and certified by a notary public or a Greek consulate. You may also need to provide a certificate of health, which shows that you don't have any communicable diseases.
Here at Bright & Beautiful, we can confirm what paperwork is needed for your exact personal situations and help you navigate the paperwork process
3. Preparing Your Paperwork
Before you travel to Greece, it's important to prepare your paperwork properly. You should start the process at least three months before your wedding date to allow enough time for translation and certification. You can find a list of accredited translators and notaries on the website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you have a wedding planner, such as Bright & Beautiful Weddings, they will take care of this for you.
Once your documents are translated and certified, you'll need to have them Apostilled (legalised) in your home country. This process can take up to two weeks, so it's important to plan ahead.
4. Submitting Your Paperwork in Greece
Once you arrive in Greece, you'll need to submit your paperwork to the local registrar's office (Lixiarhio) in the area where you'll be getting married. You should do this at least eight days before your wedding date, but no more than three months in advance.
The Lixiarhio will review your documents and issue a marriage license (Lithostroto). You'll need to pay a fee for this, which can vary depending on the region.
5. Getting Married in Greece
On your wedding day, you'll need to have your marriage license, your passports or ID cards, and your witnesses (along with their ID) present. The ceremony will be conducted by a Greek Orthodox priest or a civil servant, depending on the type of wedding you've chosen.
After the ceremony, you'll receive a marriage certificate (Mitroon Arrenon) in Greek. This document is legal in Greece, but you'll need to have it translated into your native language and certified by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs if you want to use it in your home country.
Tips for a Smooth Process
To ensure a smooth process when getting married in Greece, here are some additional tips:
Plan ahead: As mentioned earlier, it's important to start the paperwork process at least three months before your wedding date to allow enough time for translation and certification.
Hire a wedding planner: Here at Bright & Beautiful, we can help you navigate the paperwork process, find vendors, and plan the perfect wedding in Greece.
Understand the language: While English is widely spoken in Greece, some officials may only speak Greek. Consider hiring a translator if you don't speak the language, as the process for foreign nationals marrying in Greece is different to the process for Greek Nationals.
Know the local customs: Familiarise yourself with the local customs and traditions, especially if you're having a Greek Orthodox wedding. This will help you understand the ceremony and avoid any cultural misunderstandings. Again, a wedding planner will be very useful here.
Consider the time of year: Greece can get very hot in the summer months, so if you're planning an outdoor wedding, considering holding it later in the day and enjoying your reception under the stars.
Bring extra copies of your documents: It's always a good idea to have extra copies of your documents in case of loss, especially if you’re not hiring a wedding planner to take care of the process for you.
