A lot of hard work and planning goes into your wedding day

we are here to help

...but don't forget the legal requirements!

T o contract a valid marriage in this State the parties to the marriage must: have
the capacity to marry each other; freely consent to the marriage; and, observe
the marriage notification process as required by the laws of this State

All parties must be over 18 years of age. Persons aged under 18 must obtain the per-
mission of the Circuit Family Court or the High Court to get married.

The couple must contact the Office of the Registrar and make an appointment with
Registrar to give notification of intention to marry (notification must be given at least
3 months in advance of the ceremony and couples are advised to do so at the earliest
possible stage).

Documents Required when giving a Notification of Marriage

1. Passport or Driving Licence as a photo ID.
2. Birth Certificate (Civil, not Church cer-
tificate). Is it Possible to give less then 3
3. If either party is divorced, original final months notice to the Registrar?
decree of divorce. Yes it is. An exemption from this require-
4. If either party has a civil partnership ment may be sought from the High Court or
dissolution, original dissolution. the Circuit Family Court under section 33 of
the Family Law Act, 1995 in certain circum-
5. If widowed, death certificate of the pre- stances.
vious spouse and the civil marriage cer-
tificate for their first marriage. It is an informal procedure which will be held
in private, and you may apply in person
6. If a surviving civil partner, the death without a solicitor should you choose. There
certificate of the previous civil partner is no court charge for the application.
and the civil partnership registration
certificate. Before the court will grant the exemption you
must show:
7. If party to a civil partnership or mar-
riage that was annulled by an Irish
1. that there are good reasons for your
Court, the final decree of nullity and a application
letter from the relevant court confirm-
ing that no appeal was lodged. 2. that the granting of such an Exemp-
8. PPS Numbers (where either or both of tion Order is in the best interests of
the parties to the intended marriage.
the parties have one).
9. Fee of €150.
If you are granted a Court Exemption Order,
O'HANLON & O'DOWD you still have to make arrangements to meet
Solicitors Additional documentation may be required in the Registrar at least 5 days before you get
married.
Unit 6c some cases. The Registrar will advise what is
Crestfield Centre required in each case.
Glanmire
Co. Cork
Additional Details Required:
1. The intended date of marriage,
Phone: 021 4824426 2. Whether the couple require a civil or religious ceremony,
E-mail: info@ohod.ie 3. The names and dates of birth of the two witnesses, and
Web: www.ohod.ie 4. Details of the proposed solemniser and venue
5. The couple will also both have to complete a About Letters of Freedom
declaration of no impediment stating that
they are not aware of any lawful impediment For a religious ceremony couples are often requested to get
to the proposed marriage. This should be a letter from the parishes they have lived in since 18 years
signed by couple in the Registrar’s presence. old stating that there is no record of them having contracted
marriage in their marriage registrar. This is sometimes diffi-
6. Marriage Registration Form (MRF), This is cult where either party has lived in many different places or
issued to the couple by the Registrar when the in a foreign country. An alternative to this is to swear an
notification process is complete. This is the affidavit before a Solicitor attesting that you have never been
married religiously or civilly in any jurisdiction.
couple’s civil licence to marry. It is a crucial
document and your marriage cannot be civilly
registered without it. The MRF should be
given to the Registrar or religious solemniser
solemnising the marriage prior to the cere-
mony.

Solemnisation and Registration Process

Marriage by Civil Ceremony

1. Marriages by civil ceremony may take place at

the Office of a Registrar of Civil Marriages. If
you wish to have a civil ceremony at a venue
other than a Registry Office, you must contact
the Registration Office and apply to have the
venue approved. Please note there will be ad-
ditional fees for civil marriages at venues
other than registry offices.
2. The ceremony must be performed in the pres-
ence of two witnesses who should both be
over 18 years of age. At the end of the cere-
mony, the Registrar, the couple and the wit-
nesses must all sign the MRF.

Marriage by Religious Ceremony

1. Marriages by religious ceremony may be performed
according to the customs and ceremonies of the
church. However, all the civil requirements must first
be complied with and the couple must have been is-
sued with a MRF by a registrar which they must
show to the person solemnising the marriage.
2. The ceremony must be performed in the presence of
two witnesses who are both over 18 years of age.
3. The couple must make two declarations: that neither
of them knows of any impediment to the marriage
and that they accept each other as husband and wife.
4. At the end of the ceremony, the solemniser, the cou-
ple, and the witnesses must all sign the MRF. The
completed MRF should be given to a registrar (not
necessarily the registrar who issued it) within 1
month of the ceremony, so that the marriage can be
civilly registered.
Important points about your Will
It is important to make a will because if you do not,
the law on intestacy decides what happens your
property. This may not reflect your wishes.
If you have children, it is particularly important to
have a will that deals with the situation of both
parents dying and that appoints guardians and
trustees.
If you already have a will and you then marry or
enter into a civil partnership, your will is revoked,
unless it was made in contemplation of that mar-
riage or civil partnership
Call us today at (021) 4824426 if you wish to dis-
cuss the best way to make provision for your loved
ones.