Before you start planning your wedding in Spain there are a few things you need to consider. We'll give you all the practicalities and info to make sure you'll get that dream wedding in Spain.
Start on time!
Especially for a wedding abroad it's highly recommended to start early with preparations. It entails more than you'd probably initially think. The laws and regulations in Spain are different than elsewhere.
Why get married in Spain?
- The sun shines De 300 days per year on average
- You'll get a true holiday feeling
- Beautiful white beaches
- A lot of small and romantic churches
- Great food and wine
- Low-budget flights with European carriers
And a lot more!
What specifically needs to be arranged for documentation can differ per region. A distinction is made between the religious wedding (in a church) and a civil wedding. For a catholic wedding, a statement of baptism is required. Make sure you have that available. To hold a protestant wedding, a civil wedding has to have preceded.
Civil wedding
To hold a civil wedding in Spain, at least one of the wedding partners needs to live in Spain or have the Spanish nationality. If none of these conditions are met for you, perhaps the religious wedding is more suitable for you.
Requirements for a civil wedding:
- A Spanish residence permit or NIE
- Passport
- A recent birth certificate (certificado literal de naciamiento)
- An extract from the population register (certificado de empadronamiento)
- Proof of marital state (certificado de estado civil of Fe de Vida y de Estado)
- A statement of marriage jurisdiction (certificado de capacidad matrimonial)
Do you still have questions or are you looking for more specific information? Then redirect your questions to your country's embassy in Spain (most likely in Madrid).
Religious wedding
A religious wedding that is sealed by a Spanish priest is legally binding, also in other countries. For a religious wedding a statement of baptism is required. Make sure this is not older than 6 months when handing it over. After the religious wedding the Spanish priest will provide the wedding certificate. Using this document you can now register the marriage in your country of origin. Besides that you'll also need to register the marriage in your own city or municipality.
Conditions for a religious wedding in Spain:
- None of the wedding partners may have been wed in an earlier religious wedding
- Both wedding partners must be unmarried or legally divorced
- The diocese must grant permission for the wedding
Requirements for a religious wedding in Spain:
An international version of the following documents:
- Statement of baptism
- Copy of identity card or passport
- Birth certificate
- A statement of marriage jurisdiction, an attest of absence to impediment to marriage.
A ‘same sex’ wedding
In a European country as Spain it's also legally allowed to marry two men or two women. Since July 3rd 2005 it has become possible for same sex couples to get married. Note: you can only get married for for your ‘civil status’. A ‘same sex’ religious wedding is not allowed in Spain.
Getting married in the United States of America? Read it here.