How to get legally married on your wedding day in Ireland.
As a registered Solemniser with the HSE, I can legally marry you any day of the week in your venue at a time you choose. I have outlined the process of obtaining the legal paperwork required in order for me to legally marry you at your venue. Below is a general overview, but if you have specific questions, please feel free to reach out and I would be happy to help you in any way I can.
How to get legally married in Ireland.
In order to get legally married in Ireland, you must give notice to the HSE (Health Service Executive). They are the government body responsible for registering all births, deaths and marriages in the country. It's a fairly straightforward process, but they key is giving notice in plenty of time and having all your required paperwork in order.
How to give notice:
You must give a minimum of three month's notice to the registrar. Some offices are set up to accept appointments online through their portal www.crsappointments.ie If you cannot see any slots available for the office you wish to work with, here is a link to all the HSE civil registration services in Ireland: Click Here
Documents Required:
Bring a valid photo ID and a photocopy of the photo page of one of the following:
-
passport
-
refugee card/asylum card issued by the Department of Justice and Equality
-
national identity card from an EU country that accepts national identity cards as a travel document
You will also need:
-
the original and photocopy of your birth certificates (if your birth certificate was issued in Ireland, the office will have access to it or you can order a replacement birth certificate in the office or via the website www.certificates.ie
-
proof of address - original and photocopy dated within last 3 months
-
your PPS numbers (if applicable)
NOTE: If your documents are not in English or Irish you must provide translations by an approved translation service. Check with the HSE office in advance to ensure the service you intend to use is acceptable to them.
You need to provide the following information about your ceremony:
-
the type of ceremony (civil, religious or secular)
-
name and address of the proposed venue
-
name of registered solemniser
-
name and date of birth of both witnesses aged 18 or older
If you are divorced:
You will need an original or certified copy, and photocopy, of your divorce decree. If there is a stay order on the divorce decree, bring this too. If your divorce has been finalised in a country other than Ireland, it can take anything up to 12 weeks to have this recognised so make sure to mention this when you are giving your notice of intent to marry.
You will find more information on the office HSE website here
There is a €200 euro fee payable to the HSE when you present in person to give your notice of intent.
Once you make your appointment, you both attend the meeting and bring the originals of the required paperwork and ID to the meeting. The meeting should take about 20 minutes and if everything is in order, the registrar will issue you with a green folder which contains your MRF (Marriage Registration Form) this is EXTREMELY important and your ceremony cannot proceed without it. I always suggest putting reminders in your phone daily for the 3 days leading up to your wedding day to ensure the green folder is on site in your venue.
After your ceremony takes place, your celebrant and witnesses will sign the paperwork along with the couple. This is then returned to the HSE office where you received it from. Anyone can drop it back in, you then pay €20 to received your marriage certificate.
If you are living abroad:
You can contact the office you wish to deal with, they will send you a marriage notification form that you return to them. Once this is received and acknowledged by the registrar, this takes care of your 3 months notice of intent. You then make an appointment a minimum of 5 working days or less by prior agreement of the registrar to meet with the registrar, answer a few questions and present your original documentation.
Please note - You will need to attend an interview with the registrar if you are an EU national marrying a non-EU national or if one of you is a foreign national.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the author assumes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies. The author shall not be held liable for any losses or inconveniences arising from the use of this information. For the most up-to-date and accurate details, please consult the official websites and relevant authorities directly.