What makes a difference between civil marriage and
religious marriage? It is still a marriage and the commitment is the same
either it is held in a city hall or in a church.
One is not less than the other in sentimental value.
The reason of choosing one or the other is a completely personal matter and as
a couple you don’t have to answer to anyone for choosing either one or the
other marriage.
The arrangements, the ceremony, the wedding feast and
the cheerfulness afterwards are equivalent to those of a classic, traditional
civil wedding, with the sole difference that it takes place in a smaller scale.
We will be responsible for making the arrangements with the city hall for you.
CIVIL WEDDING DOCUMENTATION
Here is a list of the required documents that you will need to provide. All documents should be originals. Photocopies are not accepted.
1. Full Birth Certificate endorsed with an Apostile stamp. Both Certificate and Stamp shall be translated in Greek.
2. Photocopy of passport
3. A single status letter or letter of no impediment endorsed with an Apostile stamp. Both Certificate and Stamp shall be translated in Greek.
Additional Cases:
· If you have been widowed, the Death Certificate of your former spouse endorsed with an Apostile stamp. Both Certificate and Stamp shall be translated in Greek.
· If you are divorced, a decree absolute bearing the court's original stamp authenticated endorsed with an Apostile stamp. Both Certificate and Stamp shall be translated in Greek.
· Deed Poll documents if you have changed your name endorsed with an Apostile stamp. Both Certificate and Stamp shall be translated in Greek.
The wedding license is issued within eight days and is valid for six months.
We require that you send us the original documents at least five weeks before the desired wedding date, so that we do the required administrative work in good time.
It is very important to remember, that all needed documents should be issued the earliest three (3) months before the wedding day. In case the issue date is more than three (3) months before the wedding day, then they are not valid anymore!
The wedding date can only be officially booked once the license is issued, although there is the possibility for making a tentative booking after the submission of the application.
Normally, the desired wedding date is available for booking as the Town Hall staff is flexible and willing to do their best to secure the date you required.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In all / either of the above cases, the required documents have to be legalized (with Apostille (Hague) Seal), translated into Greek and certified by the Greek Embassy. Information about Apostille offices globally in http://www.apostilleinfo.com/
Once we receive your documents, we will then:
· Arrange for an advertisement to be placed (for one day) in the local press, stating the concerned parties intention to marry, a copy of which is displayed at the Town Hall for 8 days, according to the Greek Law. Another copy of this ad is also saved for your benefit and use.
· Submit for and on your behalf the documents to the local Registrar's Office to apply for your civil wedding license. This has to be done, according to the Greek Law minimum three months in advance of your proposed wedding date. A stamp duty and a license fee are payable at this stage that is why we normally require at least 50% of the total wedding fee to be paid to us in advance.
· Within 2 weeks of the documents being submitted, your wedding license is issued, which is always valid for the next 6 months. Your wedding may take place as soon as the license is issued.
· With all the documents and the newly issued wedding license in hand, we submit it to the local Town Hall to have your proposed civil wedding date confirmed and booked.
· Your civil wedding takes place at the local Town Hall in the presence of 2 witnesses (we will stand in for you in case you haven't any with you).