Greetings to all of you who are getting married soon. Have you arranged your perfect wedding yet? Spain is a sunny nation with incredible beauty around every corner.
Planning your big day in this country, especially if you are not from Spain, requires more than just picking a perfect wedding venue. Here, we will take a look at the regulations, examine the specifics of the law, and learn about the lure of mixed marriages in this remarkable nation.
You want your wedding, whether civil or church, to be unique and unforgettable. Here's what to expect when you get married in Spain.
All You Need to Know When Getting Married In Spain As A Foreigner
"I Do" in Sunny Spain: Guide to Getting Married
Methods for Organizing a Mixed Marriage: Helping You Navigate the Spanish Law
Are you prepared for tracking some paper trails? If you are from a foreign country and want to change your marital status, you must arrange all the documents before entering into a mixed marriage in Spain.
It sounds overwhelming to collect marriage, birth certificates, and civil status along with other identity documents, doesn't it? But try not to worry.
We're here to guide you through the requirements and make sure you're prepared for this legal journey. Seeking legal advice from a lawyer specializing in family law will not be necessary. We've got you covered.
There are different ways of getting married in Spain when you are not a local. Civil weddings, catholic weddings, or a blessing are the most common ones. Our wedding planners will be able to advise on the best options for you, but here you can find a few details to be able to navigate it properly.
Civil Weddings in Spain
When organizing a civil wedding in Spain, there are numerous stages to take, but don't worry—our team of wedding planners is available to walk you through each step of the complicated process in an easy-to-understand manner.
There are legal requirements and criteria for foreigners getting married in Spain. Future partners must, first and foremost, be older than eighteen. This is a basic prerequisite, regardless of whether the future spouses are EU citizens or Spanish nationals.
Keep in mind that, regardless of your citizenship status, you cannot legally get married in Spain if you are not living here. Therefore, we advise that the legal part of your marriage be completed in your country of birth. After that, we may plan an incredible ceremony in Spain.
But, checking and ensuring correct legal residency in the country is crucial if one of the partners is not a Spanish citizen. This refers to a visa or residence permit that allows an abroad visitor to legally stay in Spain.
Consult the appropriate Spanish consulate or immigration officials beforehand to make sure you have the required legal resident status. It is possible to learn what type of residency permit you require, all the documents you need to apply with, and how long the process will take.
Remember that this process might take weeks or even months, so it's advisable to get started as soon as possible to prevent needless delays to your wedding day.
Now that you are "legally ready" you go to the civil registry office. Again, nothing too complicated here, but you will need some supporting documentation.
Step One Before the Big Day: Legal Residence Permit
How to Get Married in Spain: From Registration Forms to Vows
Imagine that your dream wedding in lovely Spain is about to take place. But there are a few phases you must take before you can say "I do."
Every step matters, from the legal procedure of filling out the initial form to securing a reserved hearing at the civil registry. Let's simplify these steps so that your journey to the altar flows as naturally as a Flamenco beat.
Submission of the Required Documentation in the Civil Registry
Oh no, paperwork. It doesn't seem like much fun, does it? Let's sort through this pile of papers, including residence permits, birth certificates, and all the prepared documents. We have to ensure that your great love story is approved by Spanish law.
The papers provided to the Spanish Civil Register (Registro Civil) for marriage may differ from region to region, however below are some general suggestions to follow.
You should be aware that before attending the civil registry appointment, the authorized translator should translate the text of the original document, including passport, birth certificate, and other required material into Spanish.
Translations often bear the seal and signature of the translator, thus verifying their authenticity. In some cases, especially if documents are used in official proceedings such as marriage, it may be necessary to attest the translation.
On the day of your appointment at the Civil Registry, dress comfortably, and don't forget to bring all the prepared documents in a safe folder. You will be greeted by an officer who will check all the forms and documents to make sure they are correct.
Once all of the paperwork is in order, you will be asked to sign the appropriate marriage file. It is the formal confirmation of your consent to the wedding. If all goes well, you will receive a marriage certificate. This is your "green light" to design and carry out the ceremony.
If a hearing is required, it may cause a delay in obtaining a marriage certificate. You may be offered an appointment for a reserved hearing on the same day you go to the civil register.
Hearing at Local Civil Registry Office
Following your successful online wedding appointment procedure, there is one more crucial step left: the civil registry office hearing. A lot of Spanish civil registries demand that couples appear in a hearing before their official marriage.
Don’t worry, this isn’t anything serious, but a chance to express your feelings to the registrar and confirm your intentions before the big day.
Typically, "marriage registration" or "civil marriage" refers to the "hearing" that takes place at the local civil registry office before the wedding. You will have the chance to clarify that you are getting married of your own free will and to give an explanation for your desire to get married in Spain.
To ensure that you are aware of the moral and legal obligations that come with marriage, the registrar may ask you a few questions. Simply truthfully stating your goals and feelings is adequate; prepared responses are unnecessary.
This is the moment the registrar will inform you if he has any questions or if further paperwork is required. You will be given a certificate at the end of the hearing verifying that you made it through this step.
Now you are even closer to your special day, the hearing at the registry office becomes just another story that you will recount with a smile one day.
The Day of Civil Wedding in Spain
You will be joined by two witnesses, who are usually close family members or close friends. Once you've said your vows, exchanged rings, and signed the paperwork, you'll be legally married. Just to remind you one more time, you are permitted to get married in a civil ceremony in Spain only if you are a Spanish citizen.
Catholic Weddings in Spain
Wondering if your love story can unfold in Spain even if you're not a resident? The answer is yes!
The wedding day approaches, brimming with emotion and excitement. Whether you've decided to marry a Spanish citizen or a foreign partner, arranging the event will be an exciting experience.
Also, if you prefer tradition and a spiritual event, a church wedding is the best option. Catholic weddings, for example, typically call for specific preparation, vows, and prayers, with witnesses and guests present.
The ceremony is generally enhanced with music, religious symbolism, and candlelight. We emphasize that the divorce decree can be particularly difficult in the Catholic Church, which places a high value on marriage's permanence.
Here are some basic instructions that you will need to follow to have a smooth church wedding:
Step 1: Start at home
The marriage file, also known as the "Expediente Matrimonial" in Spanish, should be the first thing you do in your state's local church. Speak to your local priest to find out all the details, but usually, those are the documents they will ask you to bring, to create the “Expendiente Matrimonial” or "Marriage File"
- Certificate of baptism
- Each party's birth certificate
- Status (married or single) and survivor certificate.
- The pre-marriage course completed
- The use of identity cards
- Bring two reliable witnesses
Step 2: ''Magic'' at the local church
When your local church wraps up the marriage file, it will be sent to the bishops of your state. After approving the local episcopate, it's time for the paper to set out for Spain. The Spanish Archbishop will receive the approval, give his blessing, and send you the coveted "Alegato V."
Step 3: Make it official
Hold on, there are tiny amounts of money, usually in the range of 30 and 90 euros. Once that has been settled, take your Alegato V card and show it to the Spanish parish priest who will be in charge of your ceremony.
Step 4: Dotting I's and cutting T's
Here's where the paperwork comes in: The Hague must apostille, or certify, any documents you send to Spain, including marriage files from your own country.
Ensure that you obtain a duplicate copy of any documents that are not in Spanish, along with a certified translation.
So there you have it! A helpful guide that will assist you through the requirements for your sunny Spanish Catholic wedding. Once you've completed that, go say "¡Sí, quiero!"
Blessing Ceremony in Spain
If you are not a legal resident in Spain and you are not looking for a catholic wedding, the best option will be to sign the legal documents back in your country and team up with a local planner who can organise a beautiful blessing for your family and friends, so you avoid all the paperwork but still having a fantastic ceremony in your dream place.
Conclusion: Turning Dreams into Reality
As you embark on the journey of getting married in Spain as a foreigner, remember that love knows no borders. With all the required documents, legal advice when needed, and the Spanish sun as a witness, your dream wedding awaits.
May your love story in Spain be as vibrant and enduring as the rich cultural tapestry that surrounds you. Viva el amor!
