Civil Ceremonies in Gran Canaria – The legal paperwork
In last week’s article on “How to get married in Gran Canaria” I explained that in order to legally marry in Gran Canaria via a Civil Ceremony, one or both of you need to be a resident on the island. I’m now going to go into greater detail as to the legal paperwork required in order to go about this.
As we have a multi-national readership we’re going to cover all nationalities as the necessary paperwork varies between countries.
If you follow this step by step guide, organizing the paperwork for your Canarian wedding isn’t as daunting as what you might initially think.
First you need to make an appointment to transmit all the necessary paperwork at the Civil Registry Office in your borough. They will give you a list of all the paperwork you need to bring to the appointment with you. It’s important you collect this list from them as processes and requirements may change from year to year.
As the appointment can take between 2 to 3 months to take place, it is advisable to make the appointment first and then prepare all the necessary paperwork.
Appointments can be made at the Civil Registry offices by calling between 09.00h and 13.00h Monday to Friday.
It’s also important to remember that Spanish is spoken in all official offices on the island so if you do not speak Spanish you are required to take a translator along with you.
If all the paperwork is correct by the date of your appointment, it takes around one month to receive the authorization to marry.
Once receiving the paperwork, it is then valid for up to 6 months so bear this in mind when setting a wedding date.
Citizens of France, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Holland, Dutch Antilles, Switzerland and Turkey need to present:
1) Certificate of capacity to marry from your country of origin (according to the Munich signed agreement 5 of September 1980), you can contact your consulate for more information regarding this document.
2) An International Birth Certificate or an original Birth Certificate in its own language with the Hague Apostille Stamp and a legal translation into Spanish.
3) A Certificate of registration on the electoral role in your borough (municipio) “Certificado de Empadronamiento” in Gran Canaria.
4) The original and photocopy of your passport.
For citizens of other countries including the UK and Ireland you need a few more documents:
1) The original legalized and translated Birth Certificate (issued within one year of the wedding date).
2) A Certificate of being on the electoral role in Gran Canaria for at least 2 years, or a Consulate Certificate accrediting your residency for the last 2 years whether in Spain or another country. At least one of the couple wishing to marry must be registered on the electoral role here in the borough where they wish to marry and this must be proven with a “Certificado de Empadronamiento”.
3) A Consular Certificate accrediting the publication of the EDICTS (proclamations/bands) of civil marriage in Spain (if this applies to the law in your country).
4) A Certificate of marital status, applied for via your consulate or the appropriate authorities in your country.
5) The original and photocopy of your passport and residents certificate (the green A4 paper or the older plastic ID card).
6) A witness with their original and photocopy of their passport, DNI or residents certificate.
7) If you are divorced you need your legalized and translated marriage and divorce certificates.
8) If you are a widow, you need your legalized and translated marriage certificate and partners’ death certificate.
It’s important to remember that all the documentation that is not in Spanish needs to be translated by a “Traductor Jurado Oficial” (Official Sworn Translator) and legally authorized by the corresponding authorities.
More information can also be obtained from your corresponding embassy or consulate or visit my website www.perfectweddingcompany.com.
If you have a Wedding Planner, they will help you with all your paperwork, the legalization and the official translation of all documents.
Gran Canaria is such a beautiful island to get married on. It’s well worth taking the time to organize the legal paperwork and celebrate your special day with your family and friends in this magical place!
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