Getting married in Spain involves a significant amount of paperwork. This guide explains the legal requirements, the application process, and the different marriage options.
Legal requirements for getting married in Spain
At least one of the partners must be a legal resident in Spain. You must prove you have lived in the country for at least two years.
Two non-resident foreigners cannot get married in Spain. If both partners are non-residents, you should marry in another country.
You must complete a legal process before you can hold a wedding. The Spanish term for this is expediente matrimonial (marriage file).
This file verifies that both partners are legally eligible to marry. It prevents forced marriages or illegal marriages.
Where you can get married in Spain
You can get married in three main ways in Spain. You can choose the civil registry, the town hall, or a notary.
The Spanish term for civil registry is registro civil (civil registry). Getting married here is free but takes several months.
You can also marry at the local town hall. The Spanish term is ayuntamiento (town hall).
Finally, you can marry before a notary. The Spanish term is boda ante notario (notary wedding).
The notary wedding option (Boda ante notario)
Notary weddings are the fastest option for expats in Spain. A law change in 2021 allowed notaries to handle the entire process.
Notaries can now process the marriage file and perform the ceremony. This saves you months of waiting at the civil registry.
However, notaries charge fees for their services. This is the main disadvantage compared to the civil registry.
Most notary weddings in Madrid are completed within one to three months.
Required documentation for marriage
You must collect several official documents from your home country. All foreign documents must be legalized and translated.
Prepare these documents for the marriage file:
- Valid passport : Bring your original passport and photocopies.
- NIE or TIE card : Your Spanish identification card is required.
- Birth certificate : The Spanish term is certificado de nacimiento (birth certificate).
- Single status certificate : The Spanish term is certificado de soltería (certificate of single status).
- Padrón certificate : The Spanish term is certificado de empadronamiento (census registration certificate).
All foreign certificates must have the apostilla de la Haya (Hague apostille) to be legal.
You must also get a traducción jurada (sworn translation) for any document not in Spanish.
Civil registry versus notary comparison
This table compares the two main civil marriage routes in Spain.
| Feature | Civil Registry (Registro Civil) | Notary (Boda ante Notario) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free of charge | €300 to €500 |
| Processing time | 6 to 12 months | 1 to 3 months |
| Location | Court building | Notary office |
| Witnesses | Required | Required |
The civil registry is ideal if you are on a budget and have time. The notary is better if you want a fast process.
Step-by-step: How to get married at a notary
Follow these steps to complete your notary marriage in Madrid.
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Gather all required documents from your home country and get them apostilled.
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Hire a sworn translator in Spain to translate your foreign documents into Spanish.
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Obtain a current padrón certificate showing your address in Spain.
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Contact a notary office and submit your documents to open the marriage file.
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Attend the notary interview with a witness to verify your relationship.
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Sign the escritura de matrimonio (marriage deed) to complete the ceremony.
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Receive the official libro de familia (family book) from the civil registry.
Average costs of getting married in Spain
The costs of a civil wedding vary depending on the chosen route. A notary wedding has several administrative fees.
The notary charges between 150 and 300 euros to process the marriage file. The marriage ceremony itself costs between 100 and 200 euros.
Sworn translations cost between 30 and 60 euros per page. Getting a birth certificate apostilled in your home country also has fees.
We recommend budgeting around 500 to 800 euros for the entire paper process.
Questions and answers
Is a marriage in Spain recognized internationally?
Yes. Spanish marriages are legally binding worldwide. You must register the marriage in your home country after the ceremony.
Do I need to speak Spanish for the ceremony?
If you do not, you need a translator. The notary must ensure you understand the legal contract you are signing.
What is a pareja de hecho?
A de facto union. The Spanish term is pareja de hecho (de facto union). It offers similar rights to marriage but is easier to dissolve.
Do I need a witness for a notary wedding?
Yes. You must bring at least one testigo (witness) to the interview and the signing ceremony.
Does marrying a Spanish citizen give me immediate citizenship?
No. However, it reduces the residency requirement for citizenship to just one year of legal residence in Spain.
What is the Libro de Familia?
An official booklet. The civil registry issues this booklet to record marriages, births, and adoptions.
Can I choose a different notary for the ceremony?
Yes. You can open the file at one notary and perform the wedding at a different notary or town hall.
How long are the documents valid for?
Three months. Your birth and single status certificates must be issued within three months of your application.
