Getting Married in beautiful Rhodes
What documents do I need in order to get married in Greece?
All documents must be translated in Greek and must have the apostil (stamp of External Affairs Ministry from the country of origin). Also must be sent to Greece a minimum of four weeks prior to the wedding taking place.
For a civil marriage
- Both parties must obtain Full Birth Certificate.
- Certificate of impediments to the marriage – the document certifies that both parties are free to marry each other and this can be obtained from the Register Office in your home town. This certificate must not be issued more than three months before the wedding day.
- Decree Absolute – if any of the parties are divorced, a Certified Copy of the Decree Absolute must be obtained. If any of the parties are a widower, a Death Certificate must be obtained.
- Adoption Certificate – necessary if any of the parties has been adopted.
- Deed Poll – if there has been any change of name by either party, a copy of the Deed Poll is required.
Catholic Weddings
Catholic Church weddings can take place only if none of the parties have been previously married, if either the bride or groom is Catholic or both have been baptized.
It is necessary to inform the Catholic Priest of their local parish of their intent to marry abroad. The Priest will provide the needed documentation and all the preparations required by the Catholic Church. As soon as the couple is in the possession of all the documentation and it has been forwarded to Rhodes to the Catholic Priest of the Church where the ceremony is due to be held.
Orthodox Weddings
In this case the marriage can be performed even if one or both parties have been previously married. But also they need to have birth and baptism certificates and to inform the Orthodox Priest of their local parish. The Priest will confirm to the couple what further documentation is required. After you obtain all the necessary documents you be required to forward them to Rhodes in readiness for the wedding.