To be legally married in Spain you must be either practicing Catholics or one of the couple must be resident in Spain.  If you do not qualify for either of these options please see below our section Other options to marry legally and celebrate in Spain.

Catholic Church Ceremony in Spain
It is very popular for foreigner couples who are both practicing Catholics to be married in the Catholic Church in Spain.

In the churches in Nerja, Frigiliana, La Herradura and Almuneacar the priest will marry you in English. 

The paperwork is organized by your local parish priest in your country of origin.  Your parish priest will liaise with the regional catholic authority of the parish that you want to be married in Spain.  It is recommended that six months (and no less than 4 months) is allowed to complete the paperwork.   The couple will be required to undertake their pre-nuptial counseling through their local parish.

A donation of €270 is required for a Catholic church marriage service. Further costs will be incurred for flowers, pew decoration, music and choir, if requested.

Civil Ceremony in Spain
To marry in a civil ceremony in Spain one of the couple must have been a registered resident living in Spain for the last 2 years.

All the documents required must be translated to Spanish by a sworn translator and legalized by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  These documents must be presented to the Town hall court at least three months before the marriage can take place.

To apply to be married in a Civil Ceremony the following documentation is required:

 • Residence card or passport (original and photocopy)
 • Original birth Certificate
 • Certificate of No-Impediment to Marriage
 • Town Hall census certificate.

Other Legal Option to Marry and Celebrate in Spain

Civil Ceremony in Gibraltar
A civil marriage in Gibraltar requires no more than 24 hours notice, but due to popularity and limited number of marriages performed each day, you should book a civil marriage two months in advance.

To apply to be married in a Civil Ceremony the following documentation is required:
 • Original birth certificate
 • Passport
 • If married before a copy of your divorce decree and previous marriage certificate.