If you’re planning your very own Aegean wedding adventure, there are some legal requirements that you’ll need to be aware of. The entire process of getting legally married in Greece can take several weeks, therefore many couples engage the services of a local wedding planner who can help with the application process. Check with the local municipality which documents they can lodge on your behalf and which steps require you to attend in person.
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Legal Requirements
Requirements can vary slightly in each region or island, so couples are advised to obtain specific advice from the locality in which they plan to marry. Non-residents can marry in Greece; couples should confirm with the municipality what evidence of lawful entry or residence is required for their circumstances. Both civil and religious marriage ceremonies are legally recognized in Greece, subject to the applicable legal requirements. Foreigners wishing to have a religious ceremony should also confirm their eligibility with the religious organization concerned. The legal minimum age for marriage in Greece is 18 years for both men and women, however it is possible for younger couples to marry with a court order.
Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex civil marriage has been legally recognized in Greece since February 2024. Religious ceremonies remain subject to the rules of the relevant religious organization.
Obtaining a Marriage License
Couples should confirm with the municipality whether a wedding notice must be published in a Greek language newspaper, and check the required wording, publication and timing before arranging it. Where a notice is required, ask how your names should be written in Greek.
Documentation Required
The following documents are commonly requested for both the bride and the groom. Confirm the exact documents, how recently they must have been issued, and any Apostille and translation requirements with the municipality before arranging them. For those who plan to marry in both a civil and a religious ceremony, check with the Town Hall and the religious organization whether separate sets or additional documents are required.
1. A valid passport.
2. A certified copy of the applicant’s Birth Certificate with an Apostille stamp affixed, along with an official translation into Greek. The translation must be completed through a route accepted by the municipality. Greece’s former Foreign Ministry Translation Service has been abolished; a register of certified translators is available through gov.gr. Note: an Apostille authenticates the origin of a public document, rather than the accuracy of its contents. It is issued by a designated competent authority in the country where the document originated.
3. If either applicant has been married before, you’ll need evidence of the termination of all previous marriages via a Death Certificate or Divorce Decree with Apostille stamp affixed, along with an official translation into Greek.
4. Proof of Freedom to Marry – This varies depending upon your nationality, and may be called an “Affidavit of Marriage”, “Certificate of Non-Impediment”, “Certificate of Marital Status” or “Notary Public Statement”. In some instances, this can be applied for once you arrive in Greece, however minimum residence or waiting periods may apply, so you should contact your country’s Embassy in Greece well in advance to determine the requirements. The accepted document, issuing authority, notarization, Apostille and Greek translation requirements depend on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm these with the municipality and the relevant authorities for your nationality before applying.
5. A copy of the newspaper in which the wedding notice was published, if required by the municipality.
Advice for Australian, British, and US Citizens
The documents used to show that you are free to marry depend on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm the accepted documents, where they must be issued, and any legalization and Greek translation requirements with the municipality where you plan to marry.
Australian Citizens
The Australian Embassy in Athens advises Australians to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI). The acceptable place of issue can vary, so confirm whether your CNI should be issued by the embassy in Greece, DFAT in Australia, or another Australian mission before applying. Also confirm the municipality’s legalization and translation requirements.
British Citizens
Use the GOV.UK overseas marriage document service to check which documents apply to your circumstances, such as a Certificate of No Impediment or a marital status affirmation. Confirm with the Greek municipality which document it accepts and any legalization and translation requirements before applying.
US Citizens
The US Department of State explains that the US government cannot certify your marital status, although some countries accept a sworn statement of eligibility to marry. Ask the Greek municipality which evidence it accepts, and check any required notarial arrangements with the US Embassy in Greece. Do not assume that a marriage license issued by a US state can replace the documents required for a wedding in Greece.
Civil Marriage Ceremony
The required documentation (listed above) must be submitted to the relevant municipal office. Confirm whether your wedding coordinator can submit it on your behalf or whether you must attend in person. Confirm the license processing time and validity with the municipality. The national procedure for foreign residents describes a one-week processing period and six-month validity; couples visiting Greece for their wedding should confirm which application procedure applies to them. The couple must then submit a joint application to the Mayor or President of the community where they would like to marry, who will then confirm the date of the wedding ceremony. The civil ceremony can take place at the Town Hall, Mayor’s office or another pre-approved venue such as the couple’s hotel or resort, and is often performed by the Mayor. Confirm that your particular venue is approved for a legal ceremony before booking it. The ceremony is typically conducted in Greek, therefore a translator may be required if neither the bride or groom speak the language. Two adult witnesses are normally required. Confirm their eligibility, the identity documents they must bring, and whether a witness may also act as your interpreter with the municipality.
Religious Marriage Ceremony
Confirm the required documentation with the priest or religious official who will perform the ceremony, and ask who is responsible for obtaining the necessary marriage permissions. Additional requirements and waiting periods will vary, depending upon the relevant church, and couples are advised to contact the priest as early as possible to determine what is required for their particular religion. Greek Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish ceremonies are all possible in Greece.
Registration of the Marriage
Once the wedding ceremony has taken place, the couple has 40 days to register the marriage at the local Registrar’s Office/Office of Vital Statistics (known as the Lixiarhio). This applies to both civil and religious ceremonies. A marriage can be registered by either the bride, the groom, or by a third person, provided that they are in possession of a notarized ‘Power of Attorney’ authorizing them to do so. Once registered, ask the Registrar when your Marriage Certificate will be issued and how it can be collected or delivered. Late registration is possible, but additional charges apply. Marriages that are not registered with the Lixiarhio are not legally valid.
NOTE: The information contained in this article is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Couples should confirm the requirements with the Greek municipality where they plan to marry, as well as seeking guidance from their own Embassy or relevant national authorities. For religious ceremonies, also confirm the requirements with the religious organization concerned. These requirements may vary, depending upon your own personal circumstances.
Photography: 1. The Lux Traveller / 2. 1843 Magazine / 3. Hand Luggage Only / 4. KimKim
Further Reading;
Find Your Wedding Vendors in Greece;
1 comment
I want to details