
1.2 Civil and Religious Marriage
Under Spanish law, both civil and religious marriages are legal. People under 18 are not authorised to marry in Spain.
- Civil Marriages: The consent to get married is given to the correspondent officer pursuant to the principles of the Spanish Civil Code. The marriage shall be solemnized by the Judge in charge of the Civil Registry, by the town Mayor or the officer duly authorised, or by the diplomatic officer of the Civil Registry abroad.
- Religious Marriages: Catholic, protestant and Jewish marriage may be celebrated in Spain. The certificate of marriage issued by the Church after the ceremony must be registered with the Spanish civil registry in order to get an official marriage certificate.
Documentation required:
If you are planning to marry in Spain, be noticed that you will need the following documents:
- Your passport
- Original birth certificate
- Application to marry form
- Proof two parties are single. A form can be obtained from the civil registry of your home country
- If previously married, the original final divorce decree or death certificate.
- Certificate of residence: If you are non-resident, you may sign an affidavit before your consular officer.
- Certificate of Consular Inscription: Can be obtained from your embassy or consulate.
- Baptismal certificate is also needed when arranging Catholic marriages. The required documents must be presented to the priest performing the ceremony.
All documents from outside Spain must be officially translated into Spanish and authenticated by apostille.