How to Get Married in Portugal
Searching for an awesome venue for a destination wedding? Look at Portugal. Portugal is a beautiful place and popular for destination weddings. Endless beaches, great food, and friendly people; all this and the perfect weather make Portugal the place to go for your destination wedding. Before you run off to get married in Portugal, there are a few things you need to know. Marrying overseas is not impossible. There are just a few rules that you have to follow so that your day will be perfect.
Garden wedding overlooking Atlantic oceanThe most important thing you have to know is your wedding in Portugal will be based on the Portuguese law. Religious and civil weddings are perfectly legal and binding. But you can’t get married in a consulate by a consular of another country in Portugal. That said, here is what you need to know.
Wedding in the garden with a beautiful view of the oceanDocuments
You must have the original copies of your documents with you. They must contain an Apostille stamp, which shows that the documents are valid. If your documents are only in English, you need to have translated copies made in Portuguese. The documents you need with you include:
· Your passport, or your Resident’s Card if you live in Portugal
· A fully translated birth certificate, which must be obtained 6 months to your wedding date. If you want to get married in Azores, your translated birth certificate should be issued 3 months to the wedding date.
· MP1 and MP2 Forms, which both you and your partner need to fill.
· A certificate called Certificate of No Impediment. This certificate is proof that you and your partner are free to get married in Portugal, and the marriage is binding wherever your home is. You can apply for this at consulates in Portugal, or in the Department of Foreign Affairs in your home country. The validity period of this certificate is just 3 months.
· A divorce or death certificate if this isn’t your first marriage.
· A fee, which changes constantly, so check with your embassy before going to Portugal.
Romantic wedding on the terrace with a marina viewFor a Catholic wedding, the extra papers you will need include:
· A formal letter from your parish priest, allowing you to marry in Portugal
· A letter-headed letter from the parish Bishop
· A letter proving you have completed the necessary PRE CANA rites, with a certificate
· Baptism, confirmation, and first communion certificates. All these papers must be stamped by the office of the parish Bishop.
There are other documents you will need. You can inquire from your parish priest if you are Catholic or want a Catholic ceremony.
Wedding on the terrace with pool and golf viewYour Religious Wedding
Ø Your wedding will be done in Portuguese.
Ø If you have been divorced, and the marriage hasn’t been annulled officially, you cannot get married in a church in Portugal.
Ø Your wedding has to be conducted within 3 months of getting approval.
Ø You should be aware that some Anglican and Scottish churches in Portugal do not have licenses to conducted marriages.
Wedding in the perfect and beatiful gardenYour Civil Wedding
Ø All civil weddings are legal and binding. You are also required to have a civil ceremony if you are getting married in any other church except Catholic.
Ø The wedding will take place in the Registry Office, conducted by the Registrar, in Portuguese
Ø You can have a translator if you want
For more information, you can check the website of the Portuguese Embassy. Destination weddings require a lot of paperwork, but in the end are totally worth it.
Beach wedding with amazing sea views