Legal framework for marriages in Cyprus
Getting married in Cyprus as a foreigner is a straightforward process under the country’s marriage laws. Cyprus recognises both civil and religious marriages, giving you the flexibility in how you choose to formalise your union.
Civil marriages
Civil weddings are conducted by a Marriage Officer at a local municipality (town hall). Couples must apply in person to the Marriage Officer of the municipality they choose, provide the required documents, and sign a Notice of Marriage.
The civil ceremony itself is brief (often about 10–15 minutes) and can be conducted in English or Greek. You will need two adult witnesses present at the ceremony to sign the marriage register, and they must bring their ID or passports for identification.
After the vows and the signing of the register by the couple, witnesses, and the Marriage Officer, you will receive an official marriage certificate. This certificate is typically in English and is internationally recognised as proof of marriage.
Religious marriages
Religious ceremonies can be performed by registered ministers of recognised faiths (e.g., Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Catholic).
For this, the couple must still fulfil the civil documentation requirements and apply through a municipality first to obtain a marriage licence. If you plan a church wedding, you’ll coordinate with both the local Marriage Officer and the church minister.
It’s important to note that a purely Catholic church ceremony in Cyprus is not, by itself, legally binding. The law requires that you register a civil marriage first.
On the other hand, an Anglican wedding ceremony in Cyprus can be legally binding without a separate civil ceremony, because Anglican ministers are authorised to register marriages with the state.
Couples of other faiths (Orthodox, etc.) should consult with both the church and municipal authorities to ensure all legal steps are covered. In all cases, once the marriage is performed and registered (whether civil or religious), it carries full legal effect.
Who is legally eligible to marry in Cyprus?
To be legally eligible for marriage, both parties must be at least 18 years old. Teenagers aged 16 or 17 can marry only with written parental consent (and in some cases, court permission) as required by Cypriot law.
Additionally, neither person can be currently married to someone else (any prior marriages must be legally dissolved), and marriages between close relatives are prohibited.
Residency requirements for marriage in Cyprus
A key legal requirement for getting married in Cyprus as a foreigner is to meet the residency period before your ceremony.
Cyprus offers two options: the Standard Notice and the Special Licence procedures. Each option has different residency rules, waiting times, and fees.
Standard notice
The standard notice is the usual marriage application process. After you submit a Notice of Marriage at the Town Hall, you must wait at least 15 days in Cyprus before the wedding can take place. This means you have to arrive about two weeks before your ceremony date.
This option has a lower application fee of about €128 for the standard marriage licence, making it budget-friendly. With this option, you can get enough time to relax, handle any final preparations, or even plan a honeymoon in Cyprus right after the wedding.
Special licence
If you cannot stay in Cyprus for the standard waiting period, the special licence (also called the Special procedure) lets you get married in Cyprus within 1 working day of arriving.
This is an express route that enables your marriage to take place as soon as the next working day after you submit your application. Some municipalities even allow a same-day ceremony in urgent cases.
Since it’s an express option, it comes at a higher fee of about €281 for the expedited marriage licence.
This option is ideal for couples on a tight schedule or those who need to get married in Cyprus on short notice (for example, due to work vacation limits or personal urgency). You’ll still need to apply in person at the municipality and have all your documents ready, but you won’t need to wait two weeks to tie the knot.
Required documents for foreign nationals
- Valid passports: Ensure your passports are valid through your wedding date (most authorities require at least 6 months' validity beyond your travel dates).
- Birth certificates: Your birth certificate should be apostilled (legalized) in the country of issue if it’s from abroad, and translated into English or Greek if originally in another language.
- Certificate of No Impediment (CNI): Also known as a single status statutory declaration, this document proves that you are free to marry (i.e., not currently married in your home country).
- Decree absolute (if divorced): If either of you has been married before and divorced, you must present the final divorce decree (often called Decree Absolute) as proof that the marriage was legally dissolved.
- Death certificate (if widowed): If you are widowed, you’ll need the death certificate of your late spouse as evidence that you are free to remarry. In some cases, you may also be asked for your previous marriage certificate to accompany the death certificate.
- Deed poll/Adoption certificate (if applicable): If you have officially changed your name in the past (e.g., via a deed poll or legal name change), or if you were adopted and have an adoption certificate, you should bring those documents.
Important: All documents must be official originals or certified copies; photocopies are not accepted. If any document isn’t in English or Greek, you’ll need to have it translated by a certified translator (and attach the translation to the original). Also, documents issued outside Cyprus must be authenticated with an Apostille stamp or other certification to be legally recognised in Cyprus.
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Step-by-step application process to get married in Cyprus
Visit the relevant town hall in person
Marriage applications in Cyprus must be made by both partners appearing together at a Cypriot municipality (Town hall). Many town halls allow you to pre-book an appointment via email or phone to save time. Be sure to choose a municipality where you plan to hold the ceremony, and arrive prepared with your partner. This in-person appearance is a legal requirement for foreigners getting married in Cyprus.
Submit all required original documents
At your appointment, submit the original versions of all required documents. The Marriage Officer will need to verify your documents and any other legal paperwork. Ensure everything is translated into English or Greek (if necessary) and apostilled as required. It’s wise to double-check the exact document list with the municipality beforehand.
Pay the marriage licence fees
The cost of getting married in Cyprus will include this licence fee, approximately €128 for a standard notice or around €281 for a special licence. Make sure to bring enough cash or confirm if the town hall accepts card payments, and keep the receipt, as it may be needed later.
Confirm and schedule your wedding date with the municipality
After your documents and fees are processed, you’ll coordinate with the marriage officer to set an official date for the ceremony. The town hall will give you a confirmation of the ceremony date and time.
Attend your ceremony
Civil wedding ceremonies in Cyprus are brief (often 10–15 minutes). Once you and your partner exchange vows at the town hall (or approved venue), the marriage officer will issue your marriage certificate on the spot. If you need extra copies (for example, to register your marriage in your home country), most municipalities can provide certified copies for a small fee upon request.
Fees and costs involved
Getting married in Cyprus is often more affordable than in many other European destinations, especially with its streamlined legal process and ceremony options.
Here are the possible costs to expect;
- Marriage licence fees: These are paid directly to the town hall when you submit your application.
- Standard notice fee: € 128.15
- Special licence fee: € 281.92
- Additional costs: Besides the legal application fee, other services contribute to the total cost of getting married in Cyprus:
- Certified copy of marriage certificate: You may need extra copies for registering your marriage in your home country. This costs about €13.67
- Certified translation services: Varies depending on language pair, document length, and urgency. But expect to pay about $25 per page.
- Apostille services: The average cost is around $100 per document.
- Venue Hire (Outside the Town Hall): If you’re planning to marry at a different venue instead of the town hall, you’ll need to pay a separate rental fee. These can range from €500 to over €3,000, depending on the setting, guest count, and vendor services included (decorations, officiant, sound system, etc.).
Pro Tip: A good way to save costs is to start early and bundle services when possible. For example, translation companies like Translayte offer both certified translation and apostille services, helping you save time and money.
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Civil partnerships and same-sex unions in Cyprus
Same-sex marriage in Cyprus is currently not legally recognised. However, since 2015, Cyprus has offered an alternative: civil partnerships (also known as civil unions) that are legally available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This means whether a couple is gay or straight, they can enter into a Cyprus civil partnership and have their relationship officially acknowledged by law.
Partners who enter a civil union enjoy nearly the same benefits as married couples in key areas of life, giving peace of mind that their union is recognised and safeguarded.
Here are some of the important rights and protections that civil partners receive under Cypriot law:
- Property & Inheritance rights: If one partner passes away, the surviving partner is treated as a next-of-kin and benefits from the same succession laws as a widow or widower.
- Tax benefits: Couples in a civil partnership can enjoy joint tax considerations and spousal deductions, which can help streamline their financial affairs.
- Healthcare decisions: You have the right to hospital visitation and can make healthcare decisions for your partner in case of an emergency, just as a married partner would.
- Next-of-Kin rights: Civil partners are legally acknowledged as each other’s closest family, with rights to be informed and to make important decisions on each other's behalf during critical situations.
While civil partnerships cover many of the same legal responsibilities and benefits as getting married in Cyprus, there are a few differences. Notably, civil partners do not have joint adoption rights, as Cypriot law currently does not permit same-sex couples to adopt children together.
Recognition of Cypriot marriages in other countries
One of the reasons Cyprus is such a popular choice for destination weddings is that marriages conducted here are widely recognised abroad, as long as they meet all the legal requirements for getting married in Cyprus. This applies to both civil and religious marriages, making it a convenient option for international couples.
It’s important to remember that recognition abroad depends on your country’s local regulations. While Cyprus ensures that your marriage is valid under its own law, your home country may require additional steps to officially register or recognise your union once you return. These requirements vary depending on the country, so it’s important to check ahead of time.
Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Some countries require registration of your foreign marriage with a civil registry or consular office upon your return. For example, UK citizens may choose to record their marriage with the General Register Office, while citizens of Germany, Canada, or India may need to register the marriage through local or embassy channels.
- An apostille may be needed. If you plan to use your Cypriot marriage certificate for legal processes in your home country (such as changing your surname, applying for a spousal visa, or updating tax documents), you may need to have your marriage certificate apostilled. This step certifies that your document is official and acceptable for use in another country under the Hague Apostille Convention.
- Additional translations may be required. If your country requires you to submit the certificate in your native language, be prepared to obtain a certified translation of the marriage certificate.
Conclusion
Getting married in Cyprus as a foreigner is a beautiful, memorable, and legally recognised way to say “I do.” From choosing your licence type and submitting your application in person to preparing the correct documents, understanding the Cyprus legal marriage process ensures your big day goes off without a hitch.
One of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of the process is making sure your documents are properly translated and certified. This is where Translayte can make your journey so much smoother. If you want to translate your birth certificate, divorce decree, or single status declaration, our team of certified translators ensures your paperwork is done right, on time and with full legal validity.
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