Marriage Registration

The registration attests to the act of marriage and the date, time, and place it is contracted. It serves as proof that the marriage has taken place, legitimising the civil status of being married.

Marriage from the moment of its celebration produces civil effects, and for the full recognition of these, registration in the Civil Registry is necessary.

The Judge, Mayor, or Official before whom the marriage is celebrated will record the registration or the corresponding certificate with their signature, as well as those of the couple and witnesses. Once this registration is completed or the certificate issued, the Judge, Mayor, or Official will provide each of the parties with a document certifying the marriage, known as the Family Book.

Who can request/present it

Those wishing to marry must first prove, in a case processed in accordance with Civil Registry legislation, that they meet the capacity requirements established by law.

If either of the parties is affected by mental deficiencies or disorders, a medical opinion on their capacity to give consent will be required.

Once the favourable order to proceed is issued, the marriage will take place as soon as service needs permit.

Capacity depends on the individual circumstances of each party. The following cases apply:

Age: they must be emancipated, meaning over sixteen years old and living independently from their parents.
Marriage can only take place with one person and not simultaneously with multiple individuals.
Kinship: those related in a direct line by blood or adoption cannot marry each other.
Criminal Impediment: those convicted as perpetrators or accomplices of the intentional death of the spouse of either party may not marry each other.
Marriage among individuals with intellectual disabilities: if the registrar believes one of the parties is affected by mental deficiencies or disorders, they will obtain a medical opinion from the Civil Registry's doctor or substitute, declaring their capacity to give consent.
Dispensation from impediments: this allows for the removal of any impediments that prevent marriage for a particular reason.

Commencement of the case file:

Procedures for civil marriage must always begin at the Civil Registry of the municipality where one or both parties are domiciled or habitually reside. If they live in different towns, they may choose whichever is most convenient.

Place of celebration:

Although preliminary procedures are conducted at the corresponding Civil Registry, the parties may decide that, once the pre-marital case is concluded, the wedding ceremony may take place in any municipality.

The physical venue for the wedding must always be within the offices or premises of the Civil Registry located in the municipal building. Alternatively, the municipal facilities designated for this purpose may be used if officiated by the mayor or delegated councillor.

In no case can weddings be held in other locations, such as restaurants, estates, or private homes.

How to request/present it

The registration must be completed in person.
Required Documentation:

Religious Marriage:

Presentation of the ecclesiastical certificate, indicating the circumstances required by law.
NOTE: For registration of Islamic, Jewish, or Evangelical Federation of Religious Entities of Spain marriages, a preliminary case file must be processed, concluding with an order confirming the capacity to marry for the last two cases and advisable for the first.
Once this case file is completed, the marriage must be celebrated within a maximum period of 6 months from the date of issuance of the certificate.

Civil Marriage:

Marriage held in the Courthouse:
The civil marriage act is the registration itself, signed by the Civil Registry officer, both parties, two witnesses, and the Secretary.
Marriage held in the Town Hall (officiated by the Mayor or delegated Councillor):
The marriage certificate will be sent to the Civil Registry of the location where the marriage took place, where the registration is completed, and the Family Book is issued.

Marriages held abroad when at least one of the parties holds Spanish nationality or acquires it after marriage:

Registration of Canonical Marriage:
- Presentation of the ecclesiastical certificate, indicating the circumstances required by law.
- Literal birth certificate of the Spanish spouse or the one who has been naturalised, issued by the Spanish Civil Registry.
- Birth certificate of the foreign spouse.
- National Identity Card of the naturalised Spanish citizen.
- Proof of the promoter's domicile in Spain.
- Declaratory sheet of data.
Civil Marriage Registration:
- Marriage certificate issued by the local foreign Civil Registry.
- Literal birth certificate of the Spanish spouse or the one who has been naturalised, issued by the Spanish Civil Registry.
- Birth certificate of the foreign spouse.
- National Identity Card of the naturalised Spanish citizen.
- Proof of the promoter's domicile in Spain.
- Declaratory sheet of data.
- The documents listed in the section on Marriages held abroad are provided for informational purposes only. During the qualification, additional data may be requested as deemed necessary by the Presiding Judge responsible for registry qualification or the Civil Registry Secretary handling the cases.

Where to submit it

At the Civil Registry where the marriage took place or the Central Civil Registry if the marriage was held abroad and one of the parties holds Spanish nationality or acquires it post-marriage.