12/21/11

Marriage Requirements in Ireland

By Jessica Marie Sullivan


Getting married is one of the most life changing decisions we make in our lives. Preparing for our wedding day can be fun, but there are some aspects in wedding planning that may be a bit stressful. A couple of which is the legalities and paperwork that we need to do in order to be officially married. Just like any other country, Ireland has its own requirements and procedures for marriage. If you are an Irish citizen or a foreign resident of Ireland intending to marry in the country, there are some requirements and procedures that you need to submit and abide.

Requirements for Marriage

One of the most important requirements for marriage in Ireland is that you must be at least 18 years old. However, there are special circumstances where you may be able to be exempt from the age requirement. One or both parties under 18 must secure a Court Exemption Order allowing them to get married. The court will require you to prove that:

* There are good reasons for your application * The granting of a Court Exemption Order is in the best interests of the parties who intend to marry

If you are seeking for a Court Exemption Order, you must contact either Circuit Family Court or the High Court for more details and information on how to proceed.

Another essential requirement is that you must have the capacity to marry. This means that you are aware of what marriage means. You must not be forced into marriage by anyone.

Notification Requirements for Marriage

Whether you are an Irish citizen or not, you must give a three-month notification before the wedding. The notification must be given to a Registrar in person by the couple.

Legal Ways of Getting Married

In Ireland, you may choose to get married in a religious ceremony or a civil ceremony. If you and your partner are of different religions, you may need to talk and check with the relevant clergy for more information on how to go about with the ceremony.

The registration process is the same regardless of what type of ceremony you would like to have. After the three-month notification, the Registrar will give a Marriage Registration Form to the couple. This form authorises them to get married. They are then supposed to give the MRF to whoever is solemnising their marriage. After the wedding ceremony, the MRF must be completed and then given to the Registrar in order for the marriage to be officially registered.




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