Please read first. This guide is general information, not legal advice. The requirements for marrying in Spain depend on your nationalities, where you live, your marital status and other circumstances, and they change. Offices can also work differently from one another. Always confirm every step with the official authorities, or a qualified lawyer, before you book anything.
The short answer
Yes, foreigners can marry in Spain, and so can same-sex couples. Spain’s rules shape the ceremony and the official file. But your own country’s rules may decide whether you are free to marry, which is why you will usually need documents from home and a plan for having the marriage recognized there afterwards.
Because the details change with your nationalities and situation, treat this guide as a map of the journey, not the route itself. The people who set the rules are listed at the end of each step.
Three decisions before you start
- What kind of wedding do you want? A legal civil marriage, a religious ceremony, or a symbolic celebration. Only some of these create a legal marriage in Spain. Our destination wedding guide explains the differences.
- Where do you live now, and where is your life after the wedding? This can affect which office handles your file, and how and where the marriage needs to be recognized.
- How flexible is your date? Paperwork and appointments set the earliest date. Choose a date range, then lock it once the authorities confirm the timeline.
The process, step by step
- Find out which office handles your file. In general, a civil marriage in Spain starts with an official file, often called the expediente matrimonial, at the civil registry (Registro Civil) connected to where one of you lives. If neither of you lives in Spain, ask the authorities and your embassy or consulate what the options are.
- Gather your documents. See the table below. Ask the office for its exact list, because it can differ by case.
- Legalize and translate them. Documents issued abroad usually need an apostille or legalization, and an official translation into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).
- Submit the file. Check whether you must apply in person, and whether both of you must attend.
- Be ready for an interview. The registry may interview each of you separately to confirm that the marriage is genuine. This is often called the audiencia reservada. Ask whether you may bring an interpreter.
- Wait for approval. Processing times vary between offices and cases, from weeks to months. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have a realistic date.
- Book the ceremony. Depending on the route, it can be led by a civil registry official, a notary, or a mayor or councillor. Ask where it can take place, because some officials will marry couples at other approved venues.
- The day itself. Bring your ID, your witnesses and, if you need one, your interpreter. Ask exactly what they need to see on the day.
- After the ceremony. The marriage is registered and you receive proof of it. Ask how to get certified copies, and what you need to register the marriage in your home country, which may include an apostille and a translation of the Spanish certificate.
Documents to gather
These are the documents authorities commonly ask foreign couples for. Your list may be shorter or longer.
| Document | What it is for | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport or ID | Proves your identity and nationality. | Bring the originals and ask whether copies are needed. |
| Birth certificate | Shows your date and place of birth and your parents’ names. | If it is not in Spanish it often needs an apostille or legalization and a sworn translation. |
| Certificate showing you are free to marry | Shows your marital status and that nothing prevents the marriage. It is sometimes called a certificate of no impediment or, in Spain, a certificado de capacidad matrimonial. | Names and formats vary by country. Ask your embassy or consulate what it issues. Documents may only be valid for a limited time. |
| Divorce decree or a former spouse’s death certificate | Only if you have been married before. It shows the earlier marriage has ended. | Expect it to need an apostille and a sworn translation. |
| Proof of where you live | Helps decide which civil registry handles your file. In Spain this is often your registration at the town hall (padrón). | Ask which proof they accept. |
| Two witnesses | People who will sign at the ceremony. | Ask how many witnesses are needed and which ID they must bring. |
Common situations
- You have been married before. Expect to prove that the earlier marriage has ended, usually with a divorce decree or a death certificate, legalized and translated.
- You are from two different countries. Each of you may need documents from your own country, and each country may have its own rules about recognition.
- You do not speak Spanish. The paperwork and the ceremony are in Spanish. Ask what the office requires for an interpreter, and plan for it.
- You already live in Spain. Your registration at the town hall can simplify some steps, but you will probably still need documents from your home country.
- You are a same-sex couple. Same-sex couples can marry in Spain. Check how your home country will recognize the marriage.
- The marriage may affect your residency or immigration status. That is a legal question. Speak to the immigration authorities or a lawyer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking the venue and flights before the legal timeline is confirmed.
- Assuming a friend’s experience applies to you. Offices and nationalities differ.
- Getting documents too early. They may only be valid for a limited time.
- Skipping translations, or using a translator who is not officially recognized.
- Forgetting to check recognition at home, and what you need to register the marriage there.
- Mixing up a symbolic ceremony with a legal marriage.
Planning the celebration around the paperwork
The easiest way to stay calm is to separate the legal part from the party. There are three popular ways to do it:
- Legal first, celebration after. Marry at a registry or notary, often privately with two witnesses, and hold your celebration at the venue of your dreams on another day.
- Everything in one weekend. The legal ceremony and the party share a schedule, which works when the official ceremony can be held at or near your venue.
- Legal at home, celebration in Spain. Marry legally in your home country and hold a symbolic ceremony and party in Spain with your guests.
Whichever you choose, give your suppliers and guests a clear timeline in two languages, and keep your date flexible until the paperwork is confirmed.
How entre.mesa can help
We are event stylists and planners, not a law firm, and we do not give legal advice. What we can do is take care of everything around the paperwork: we plan the celebration around your official appointments, recommend venues and places to stay, coordinate suppliers in Spanish, organize guest transport and the wedding weekend, and style the day so it feels like you. We are happy to work alongside your lawyer, your translator or the authorities.
Common questions
Can foreigners get married in Spain?
Yes. Foreign couples, including same-sex couples, can marry in Spain. The process, the documents and the timing depend on your nationalities and circumstances, so check them with the authorities first.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not necessarily, but the paperwork and the ceremony are in Spanish. Many couples bring an interpreter or translator, and the authorities can tell you what they require in your case.
Can we marry in Spain if neither of us lives here?
It depends on the route and on your nationalities. Ask the civil registry, a notary or your embassy or consulate whether it is possible in your situation, and where your file would be handled.
Do we need a lawyer?
Not always. Many straightforward cases are handled directly with the authorities. A lawyer who specializes in international family law is worth considering if your situation is complex, for example previous marriages, or different nationalities with differing rules.
Will our marriage be valid in our home country?
That depends on your country’s rules. Ask your embassy or consulate, or a lawyer, how a marriage celebrated in Spain is recognized and registered at home, and which documents you will need afterwards.
Keep reading: Getting Married in Spain: The Destination Wedding Guide