If you have just got engaged and you want your “I do” to be civil, you are in luck. Up until now, couples that wanted to get married civilly had to carry out all the paperwork with the Civil Registry, which meant long waiting times and delays.
But finally, things have changed! Now, notaries, people that marry couples at weddings, can also process the marriage record.
Yes! It will no longer be necessary to go to the Civil Registry to carry out the paperwork and formalities to get married officially. Really? Well, we will tell you everything here…
Let’s begin!
But first… what is the marriage record?
The marriage record is essential for marriage in Spain. It is a procedure that confirms that the couple has fulfilled all the requirements for marriage. That is, no legal hindrance to saying “I do” exists, for example if they are relatives, minors, or already married to another person, or that it is a marriage of convenience.
In short, a piece of paper that confirms that the couple are only walking to the altar for the motivation of love.
Leaving behind the delays of the collapsed Civil Registry
One of the main inconveniences for couples that wanted to celebrate their civil marriage had to face were the long delays that occurred at the Civil Registry, since it was the only place which could carry out the marriage record procedure. Well now that is over!
What has changed with this new method?
The only thing that has changed is that the procedure has been streamlined, which will mean that the steps to reach the altar will be quicker.
That’s right! And even though this procedure can now be carried out at notary offices, those who desire can continue going to the Civil Registry.
A more direct and personalised experience
Going to the notary office will ensure a more direct and individualised experience, whether you are both single, one separated, one widowed, one born in another country… Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to ask the notary any doubts you have related with the ceremony.
Regional and Civil status and Marriage economic regime
As well as the marriage record, at the notary office they will add the regional and civil status (condition or marital status that every citizen has in order to be a resident and be assigned to a determined territory), which is fundamental to find out which of the current legislation in the autonomous communities of Spain will apply to the couple. Likewise, they will also confirm the matrimonial economic regime of the marriage: separation of property or community of property.
How will it be carried out?
The couple that are going to get married do not have to choose a notary for the creation of the document, but they must go to the Notary College in the area in which one of them is a registered citizen and ask there to be assigned someone.
When they have a notary, they must request an appointment and this is when they will be notified which documents they need to present. Birth certificates and previous marriage certificates (in case they exist) will be requested. After this, in the town hall, they should request a certificate of residency and find two witnesses that can be present on the day of the marriage.
If one or two members of the couple are foreign, they must make these requests via immigration and verify that it is not a fraudulent union.
Afterwards, individual interviews with the bride, groom and witnesses will happen so that the notary can establish if there are any obstacles to the union.
It should be pointed out that the marriage will be officiated by the same notary, by another person that the couple choose, a mayor or by a city councillor.
And… How much does this procedure cost?
The notary certificate which will include the marriage record will have a minimum cost of 30,05 euros, but depending on the documentation that you have to incorporate and all the transactions that are necessary to carry out, the amount can be greater and can reach up to 200 euros.
On the other hand, the opening and creation of the Marriage record in the Civil Register is a completely free procedure.
The marriage deed costs around 120-150 euros. And although celebrating the wedding in the office of the notary is always cheaper, if the notary himself has to move, the price will increase.
You decide where you get married!
Although the notary office can handle the marriage record, this does not mean that the couple have to get married there later, but can do so in the court, town hall or have a religious ceremony. Only you decide!
Do you know which documents you need to get married in a church?
So now you know, if you want to speed up the formalities to get married, don’t hesitate to head to a notary to process the marriage record. Avoid delays of up to three months!
At Perfect Venue, we can help you with all the procedures so that you don’t have to worry about anything!
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