How To Get A Copy Of Your Greek Wedding License

Greece is a popular destination for weddings, known for its beaches, music, and food. The bureaucratic process to obtain a marriage certificate can take several weeks. The requirements for a marriage license vary depending on the city or island where the wedding will take place. However, some standard documents that may be required include a passport, birth certificate, divorce decree, death certificate, and affidavit of marriage. It is important to contact the local City/Town Hall in Greece to confirm the specific requirements and procedures. After the wedding, it is necessary to register the marriage at the Vital Statistics Office (Lixiarcheio) to be legally recognized.

Requirements for US citizens

US citizens can marry in Greece through a civil, religious, or combination ceremony. The bureaucratic process to obtain a marriage certificate can take several weeks, so it is important to start the process as early as possible. Here are the requirements for US citizens planning to get married in Greece:

Documents

Each party to the marriage will need a copy of the following documents:

• A birth certificate with the Apostille stamp certifying the copy. The Apostille must be obtained in the United States, and an official translation into Greek is required.
• Proof of freedom to marry, or an affidavit of marriage, notarised in both English and Greek. The fee for the notarization of the affidavit is USD $50 or the Consular Exchange Rate Euro equivalent.
• If applicable, a death certificate or final divorce decree for previous marriages, with an official translation into Greek.
• A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI), which must be completed in English and Greek and notarised at the applicable Embassy.
• A copy of the local newspaper where the wedding notices were published. In Greece, it is customary to state your intent to marry in a local newspaper or at the local community office or town hall at least eight days in advance of your wedding day.

Additional Requirements

• US citizens may be required to present a marriage license issued by their State of residence in the United States.
• If one of the parties is a Greek citizen, a copy of a wedding notice published in a Greek local newspaper that predates the marriage license application.
• Two witnesses must be present at the wedding ceremony, one of whom will act as an interpreter. Witnesses should carry passports or Greek IDs.
• For a religious ceremony, you may need to present your baptism certificate and marriage certificate to the member of clergy who will perform the ceremony.

Where to Submit Documents

Submit the required documents in person at the City Hall (Demarchio) or President of the Community (Proedros Kinotitos) where the marriage will take place. If both partners are foreign nationals, each submits a separate set of documents. The marriage license will be issued eight days after the submission of the application and will be valid for six months.

Registration

After receiving the license, the couple jointly applies to the Mayor or President of the Community to confirm the wedding ceremony date. Marriages in Greece, whether civil or religious, must be registered at the local Registrar's Office/Office of Vital Statistics (Lixiarcheio) within 40 days of the ceremony. Marriages that are not registered are not considered legally valid.

Civil vs religious ceremonies

In Greece, couples can opt for a civil ceremony, a religious ceremony, or a combination of both. Both types of ceremonies are legally recognised in Greece. Here is a detailed breakdown of civil vs religious ceremonies:

Civil Ceremonies

Civil ceremonies are non-religious, legal marriage ceremonies. They are typically presided over by a legal official such as a judge, justice of the peace, magistrate, or notary public. A civil ceremony will usually follow the routine order of a religious ceremony, including a procession, vows, ring exchange, and a proclamation. Couples may choose a civil ceremony because it allows them more control over the ceremony's structure and content, as many religions do not allow couples to write their own vows. Civil ceremonies can also be held in any location, such as on a beach or in a forest, which may not be permitted by religious clergy.

Religious Ceremonies

Religious ceremonies are performed by a religious official, such as a priest, rabbi, or minister, and are usually held in a house of worship. These ceremonies are steeped in tradition and ritual, with scripture readings, songs, and specific vows. Couples who choose a religious ceremony often do so because of their faith and the importance of tradition. However, religious ceremonies may offer less flexibility in terms of personalisation and are generally bound by the rules and customs of the religion.

Choosing the Right Ceremony

When deciding between a civil or religious ceremony, couples should consider their own beliefs, traditions, and the level of personalisation they desire. It is important to remember that either type of ceremony can be deeply meaningful and recognised in the eyes of the law.

Translation and legalisation of documents

If you are planning to get married in Greece, you will need to submit a range of documents to the Greek authorities. These documents will need to be translated and legalised.

Firstly, you will need to submit a birth certificate with the Apostille stamp certifying the copy. This document must be translated into Greek and can be certified by a lawyer, a foreign ministry's translation department, a certified translator, or the Greek consulate from your home country.

You will also need to provide proof of freedom to marry, or an affidavit of marriage, notarised in both English and Greek. This document can be obtained from the U.S. Embassy in Athens and will cost USD $50 or the Consular Exchange Rate Euro equivalent. If both parties are U.S. citizens, both must sign an affidavit and pay a fee of $100 for both.

In addition, you will need to provide a decree of absolution of your previous marriage, if applicable, and a copy of the local newspaper where your intent to marry was published.

All of these documents must be translated into Greek and legalised with an Apostille stamp by the British Foreign Office (FCO). The cost of legalising each translation is the equivalent of 30 Euros in GBP.

If you are a student studying in the UK or have completed your studies there, you may need to have your UK qualifications translated and verified for submission to the Greek authorities. This can be done through the British Council Greece, which offers translation and verification services. The cost of translation services in Greece is around €100, and the estimated legal fees for a Greek wedding are €7 for the affidavit of marriage and between €200 and €500 for documentation costs.

Obtaining official copies of wedding licenses in Greece

If you need to obtain official copies of wedding licenses or marriage certificates in Greece, you can do so through the civil status records office (*lixiarhio*) in the municipality where the marriage took place. You can request official copies of the following documents:

• Birth certificate (lixiarhiki praxi genniseos)
• Marriage certificate (lixiarhiki praxi gamou)
• Death certificate (lixiarhiki praxi thanatou)

Registration of marriage

All marriages in Greece, whether civil or religious, must be registered at the local Registrar's Office/Office of Vital Statistics (Lixiarcheio) within 40 days following the ceremony. Late registrations will incur a fee. Marriages that are not registered are not considered legally valid.

Registration can be done by either spouse, or by proxy with a power of attorney. Once registered, a marriage certificate will be issued within three days and can be picked up or sent by mail.

If you have a marriage certificate issued by a Civil Registry Office abroad, you will need the following documents:

• A legally certified marriage certificate issued in the foreign country
• An official translation of the marriage certificate
• A birth certificate of the Greek spouse or both spouses, issued within the last six months
• A Family Status Certificate of the Greek spouse(s), indicating Greek citizenship, issued within the last six months

The marriage is registered at the Special Civil Registry Section by either of the spouses, or by a duly authorized third party, or by a qualified lawyer duly authorized, or by any person who has a legitimate interest.

If you have a religious marriage certificate issued by a church abroad, you will need the following documents:

• A certificate issued by a church abroad where the ceremony took place, officially translated if not issued in Greek. The certificate must be certified by the respective Church Authorities in Greece.
• An order from the Athens Prosecutor on registering the marriage
• A Family Status Certificate issued within the last six months by the Civil Register on the registration of the Greek spouse or of both spouses if they are both Greek citizens
• Receipts of fees paid to the Public Financial Service
• The applicant must have a valid identification document or passport

The marriage is registered at the Special Civil Registry Section by either of the spouses, or by a duly authorized third party, or by a lawyer duly authorized, or by any person who has a legitimate interest.

Residency requirements

You do not need to be a citizen or resident of Greece to get married there. However, if you are marrying a Greek citizen or resident, they must hold a valid residence permit.

If you are a foreigner who is permanently residing in Greece, you should possess a residence permit. U.S. citizens can stay in Greece for up to three months without a residence permit. You must obtain a stamp in your passport showing the date and place of entry upon arrival in Greece or another Schengen country; otherwise, you will not be permitted to marry in Greece.

The New Greek Immigration Code (Law 5038/2023 – former Law 4251/2014) provides the possibility of granting a residence permit to third-country (non-EU) nationals who are family members of a Greek citizen. These foreigners can get permanent residency in Greece (residence permit – type O.3), provided that they are staying in Greece.

To apply for a residence permit, the third-country citizen must be staying lawfully in Greece, which means they must have entered either with a Schengen visa or with a permanent or temporary residence permit. The issuance of this residence card is not subject to government fees and it is valid for five years.

The application for a residence permit must be submitted to the Department of Aliens and Immigration of the Decentralized Administration of the place of the foreigner’s residence within three months from the date of entry into the country and two months from the date of the marriage, otherwise a fine of fifty euros must be paid.

To obtain a residence permit, the spouse of a Greek citizen must submit to the competent Decentralized Administration a certified copy of their passport, along with the relevant visa or temporary or permanent residence permit, marriage or civil partnership registration certificate, a copy of the Greek citizen’s ID, and the third-country citizen’s health insurance certificate. The residence permit is granted for five years and, upon expiry, the third-country national may request a ten-year residence card (residence card type M.2) if the marriage is still valid and there has been no absence from Greece for a period beyond six months per year or an unjustified absence beyond twelve months. If these conditions are not met, the renewal of the residence permit will last for another five years.

Frequently asked questions