How to perform a civil marriage in Cyprus.
How to perform a civil marriage in Cyprus.
Civil marriages in Cyprus are governed by the Marriage Law (N. 104(I)/2003).
Civil marriages can take place between Cypriot citizens, Cypriots with foreigners and between foreigners.
The civil marriages are under the jurisdiction of municipalities.
Thus any couple may choose any municipality to perform the marriage.
The certificates/documents required are:
From Cypriots and/or residents of Cyprus:
1. Affidavit at a Registrar of the District Court
2. Statement from the Ministry of Interior (MIGRATION)
3. Divorce Certificate(DecreeAbsolute)
4. Death Certificate of Spouse (if applicable)
5. Copy of Birth Certificate
6.Passport
7. ID Card
In relation to the affidavit, which is needed for Cypriots, Europeans or third country nationals it has to describe the applicant’s marital status (single/ divorced/widowed) and the name of the person that the applicant intends to get married to. In case of divorce or widowhood it must be stated that the applicant has not been married since the divorce/death of his/her spouse. The affidavit is valid only for 1 month from the date made. The original document should be submitted to the Civil Weddings Registry with the application form in order to get the relevant non-marriage certificate.
In order to receive the certificate of non-marriage it is necessary that both applicants appear personally at the Civil Registry and Migration Department and submit the relevant application and original affidavit. In case of divorced or widowed persons the relevant documents (finalized divorce papers or death certificate of spouse) should be presented. The Non-marriage certificate is valid for 2 months from the date of issue.
Foreigners:
1. Recent Certificate of marital status from a Governmental Authority ( i.e. Town Hall, Ministry of Interior, Registry Office, Embassy etc)
2.Birth Certificate
3.Divorce Certificate
4.Death Certificate of Spouse (if applicable)
5. Passport or European ID Card
Non-marriage certificate (single/ divorced/widowed), for foreigners, is issued by the competent authority of the country of origin of the applicant. This certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. In case this certificate is not issued in English it must be translated in English or Greek language. The original Non-marriage Certificate and the translated document must be presented together.
Furthermore, the non-marriage certificate must be duly certified as follows in case the country of origin of the applicant has signed the Hague Convention of 1961, it has to be certified with the Apostille stamp. In case the country of origin of the applicant has not signed the Hague Convention of 1961, it has to be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin of the applicant and then by the Embassy/Consulate of Cyprus in his/her country. Or it can be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin of the applicant and then by the Embassy/Consulate of that country in Cyprus and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus.
In relation to European and Third country nationals, original certificates are needed, translated in English or Greek language, by a formal authority in the country of origin of the applicant or by the Press and Information Office in Cyprus.
Once the aforementioned formalities have been completed, the marriage must be celebrated within 15 clear days at the earliest, or within 3 months at the latest, from the date the notice is given. If, for any reason, the marriage is not celebrated within 3 months, the notice given and all consequential proceedings are considered to be void. In fact, interested persons, in order to have a civil marriage by notice should stay in Cyprus for about 20 days. Prescribed fees: € 128,15 (CY£75,00)
In case of urgency, however, or if they so wish, the interested persons may apply to the Marriage Officer to fix an earlier date, by paying advanced fees. In this case the marriage can be celebrated within 2-3 working days.Prescribed fees for this case: € 281,90 (CY£165,00)
For more information on this matter you may contact our law firm.