Weddings in Spain?

Question

I am looking to get married in Spain. I have just looked at the British Embassy website for details and procedures and it all sounds quite complicated and scary, with a lot of translating of our Birth certificates e.t.c. as we are not Spanish residents. I was hoping that someone may have got married in Spain or know someone that has and could give me further information on the procedures e.t.c and hopefully put me at ease. Many Thanks.

Answer 1

It's your wedding!  You would best do your own research -  there are many, many websites devoted to destination weddings in Spain.  If the foreign language requirements sound complicated and scary, perhaps you would be better off choosing an English language destination.

Here is a random assortment of sites you might find useful:

http://www.idealspain.com/Pages/Informat...

http://www.weddingsinspain.net/

http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/informat...

http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriagelic...

N OTE:  As daunting as it may sound, your embassy's instructions are spot on.  As Nike says, "just do it."

Answer 2

Spanish law appears to permit foreigners who are not Spanish legal residents to marry in Spain. The different autonomous communities in Spain, however, interpret this law differently. Outside Madrid, it may be required that one party be a citizen or resident of Spain. For this reason, the  consult beforehand with the regional authorities of the area where the person wants to marry. In general, legal and valid marriages abroad are also legally valid in other countries. Should the parties contracting marriage have any questions about the validity of a marriage performed abroad, they should contact the the country  of domicile of the parties

are both from another country ? such as the UK ?

come back and tell me so if you wish?

CIVIL MARRIAGES

An application for civil marriage may be made at the Civil Registry if it is in Madrid or to the District Court of the bride or groom's residence if outside Madrid.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Application form

An application for marriage may be obtained either from the Civil Registry or the District Court.

Birth certificate

A birth Certificate must be an original document bearing the Apostille of the Hague.

A translated copy of the same authenticated by a Spanish consulate must be provided.

Proof of freedom to marry

The Civil Registry of Madrid issues a document called the proof of freedom to marry.

If there is no equivalent document can be produced then a sworn statement to the effect that the parties are single and free to marry, signed before an the consul of the persons willing to marry needs to be signed and that can be used.

Certificate of residence

A document showing the proof of residence may be obtained at the Junta Municipal of the Tenencia de Alcaldia in the district of residence.

If a person is not a permanent resident in Spain, he/she can sign an affidavit before the consul of his/ her country indicating his/her place of residence for the last six years.

Posting of Banns

It means a declaration in public of the intent to marry. If the same is not valid in the country of a person that the embassy or consulate may issue a letter explaining it is not required.

If one party was previously married- a marriage certificate

If a person is already married he/she must present the previous marriage certificate and proof showing the marriage no longer exists (a divorce decree, an annulment certificate or a death certificate).

The documents must be original, bear the Apostille of the Hague, translated into Spanish and the translation authenticated.

TIME.

It may take the Spanish authorities 30 to 45 days to approve a marriage application.