"Santorini weddings" Laws & Paperwork

The following documents are required for Civil weddings:

As of July 18, 1982, both civil and religious marriage ceremonies may be performed in Greece according to Greek law number 1250. This law also legalized all civil marriages performed abroad between a Greek citizen and an alien prior to this date.

Previously, only religious ceremonies were recognized by the Greek state. Foreign nationals in Greece may be married either in a civil ceremony by a mayor, in a religious ceremony by a priest, or both.

Although there is no residency requirement for foreign nationals wishing to marry in Greece , the bureaucratic procedure may take several weeks to complete before a marriage certificate may be obtained.

The following documents are required to obtain a Greek marriage license for marriage ceremonies performed in Greece which involve foreigners.

CIVIL MARRIAGE

1. Wedding application for civil marriage to the community.
2. A certified copy of BIRTH CERTIFICATE along with an official Greek translation for both of you.
3. Copies from valid passport.
4. If you were married before, you must provide us with the divorce or the death certificate. Women must be at least 10 months divorced before have the right to get married again.
5. A Non Impediment certificate or single status letter  issued by your Vital Statistics Officer, of your town, that there is no impediment to the marriage (i.e., neither party is under 18 years of age, there is no existing undisclosed marriage, etc.). This certificate has to be also along with an official Greek translation.*

For minors under 18 years of age, a court decision approving the marriage is required.

*If the of Non Impediment Documentation (Affidavit Certificate) cannot be issued, there is a possibility for issuing this certificate at the American Embassy in Athens Greece during normal business days. (That means you need to stay in Athens at least one or two days.) For us citizens only.

All the above documents are required, no later than 60 days, before your arrival for safety reasons.

Translations:

If you have any difficulties translating (or no time) your certificates, Steve Delos Weddings can handle it for you, at the Ministry of Affairs, in Athens.

The charge for the translations will be $80 (US),for the first page and $20. (US),for every normal following page.

Procedure:

Having received all the above papers (officially translated), we apply to the community office on your behalf, at least 15 working days before the date of your marriage. Additionally, Steve Weddings will take care of all other paperwork.

The marriage legalization can only take place at the community office, during working hours (9:00AM - 2:00PM / Monday-Friday). If you choose a specific date, that is a holiday, then you will sign and register on the day before (Monday-Friday), but the wedding certificate will have on, the Date of your choice. After that you are officially married, according to the law.

Questionnaire

If you wish to get started with the legal processes, please fill out the following questionnaire and FAX it to:

+30 (22860) 28115
[From the USA, Dial 011 30 2286 0 28115]