Legal Procedures & Wedding Documents | Your Guide to a Stress-Free Wedding

Beyond romance and ceremony, marriage is also a legal act that requires attention to detail. Gathering the necessary documents and adhering to legal procedures can seem like a daunting task, but with the right guidance, it becomes a simple matter. Here you will find a complete guide to everything you need for your civil or religious wedding in Greece, so you can dedicate your energy to organizing joy, not bureaucracy.

Documents for Civil Wedding in Greece
For the issuance of a marriage license, the prospective spouses must visit the Municipality of their residential area. The essential documents usually required are:

1) Application for a marriage license (available at the Municipality).
2) Birth certificate, issued by the Registry Office of the area where your birth was declared.
3) Certificate of celibacy (or divorce/death certificate of previous spouse), obtained from your Municipality or parish.
4) Photocopy of your ID card or passport.
5) Marriage announcement form, which is published in a daily local newspaper.

For foreign citizens (non-Greek nationals), additional documents are typically required, such as a "Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage" or a "Certificate of Law" from their country of origin.

All foreign-language documents must be officially translated into Greek and certified (e.g., apostilled or by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

​It is highly recommended to consult your Embassy/Consulate in Greece and the local Greek Municipality for the exact and most up-to-date requirements.​

Documents for Religious Wedding in Greece
For a religious wedding, the process begins with applying for a marriage license at the Metropolis of the parish where the wedding will take place. In addition to the basic documents mentioned for a civil wedding (IDs, birth certificate, announcement, etc.), the following are also required:

1) Baptism Certificate, issued by the parish where you were baptized.
2) Certificate of Closest Relatives, confirming that there is no degree of kinship that prevents the marriage.
3) Marriage License from the Parish Priest.

For foreign citizens (non-Greek nationals), similar to civil weddings, all foreign-language documents (including baptism certificates and certificates of celibacy) must be officially translated into Greek and certified.

​Furthermore, specific requirements may apply based on their religious denomination and country of origin. Contacting the specific Metropolis or Parish well in advance is crucial.

Restrictions on Performing a Religious Wedding

Beyond the required documents, there are specific periods of the year, mainly due to religious fasting or holidays, during which the performance of a religious wedding is not permitted by the Church. To avoid unpleasant surprises in your planning, it is important to know these dates in advance. For detailed information on prohibited periods and exceptions, you can consult our related blog article.

Cohabitation Agreement: An Alternative Option

For couples who desire a legal commitment without the traditional wedding procedures, a cohabitation agreement (symphono symviosis) offers a modern and flexible solution. The process is simpler, typically requiring the signing of a notary document and its registration with the registry office. It provides legal recognition of the relationship and regulates matters such as property and child custody.