Getting Married in Spain: Requirements, Documents and Process for Foreigners

Foreigners can legally get married in Spain, including couples where both partners are foreign. Before most civil marriages can take place, the couple must first complete a marriage authorization procedure — an expediente matrimonial through the Civil Registry or an acta matrimonial before a notary — to prove that both partners have legal capacity to marry, no prohibited impediment exists, and genuine matrimonial consent is being given.

The process is more flexible than many older guides suggest. A foreigner does not automatically need an NIE just to marry, there is no single national rule saying every birth certificate must be less than three or six months old, and marriage applications are no longer handled only through the local Registro Civil.

Depending on the couple’s domicile and circumstances, the preliminary procedure can involve:

• the Registro Civil;
• a Letrado de la Administración de Justicia;
• a Spanish notary;
• a Spanish diplomatic or consular official when residence abroad is involved.

After authorization, the marriage can normally be celebrated before an authorized public official or notary, with two witnesses, and then registered in the Spanish Civil Registry.

Can Foreigners Get Married in Spain?

Yes.

Spanish law permits marriage between:

• a Spanish citizen and a foreign citizen;
• two EU citizens;
• an EU citizen and a non-EU citizen;
• two non-EU foreign citizens;
• two people of the same sex;
• two people of different sexes.

Where both partners are foreigners, Spanish law allows the marriage to be celebrated in Spain according to the form prescribed for marriages under Spanish law or, in qualifying circumstances, according to the personal law of either partner.

However, this does not mean that two tourists can simply arrive in Spain, choose a town hall and get married immediately.

The preliminary marriage authorization must be handled by the legally competent authority, and competence is closely connected with the domicile of the future spouses.

Getting Married in Spain at a Glance

Question	Answer
Can foreigners marry in Spain?	Yes
Can two foreigners marry each other in Spain?	Yes, subject to the applicable procedural and legal requirements
Can same-sex couples marry?	Yes
Is Spanish residence automatically required?	Not as a universal marriage-capacity requirement, but domicile determines which authority handles the preliminary procedure
Is an NIE always required?	No universal rule requires an NIE simply to have legal capacity to marry
Is a passport required?	Identity must be proven; foreign applicants normally use a passport or accepted identity document
Is empadronamiento always required?	Not as a single universal national document, but domicile must be established and a padrón certificate is commonly requested
Is a birth certificate usually needed?	Yes where birth data cannot be obtained directly by the authority
Must foreign documents be translated?	Often, unless an applicable exemption applies
Must foreign documents be apostilled?	Often, depending on the issuing country and applicable international or EU rules
Can a notary process the marriage file?	Yes
Are witnesses required?	Yes
Does marriage automatically give Spanish residence?	No
Can marriage to a Spaniard lead to residence?	Potentially, normally through the appropriate family residence procedure
Does marriage automatically give Spanish citizenship?	No

What Is the Expediente Matrimonial?

Before a civil marriage is authorized, Spain normally requires a preliminary procedure to establish that the couple can legally marry.

This is commonly called the:

expediente matrimonial

When handled before a notary, the equivalent procedure is generally referred to as an:

acta previa matrimonial or acta matrimonial.

The purpose is to verify matters including:

• the identities of both partners;
• legal capacity to marry;
• previous marriages;
• whether any existing marriage remains valid;
• prohibited family relationships;
• any necessary dispensation;
• genuine matrimonial consent;
• other legal obstacles to marriage.

Only after the competent authority is satisfied that the legal requirements are met can the marriage be authorized.

Can You Start the Marriage Process at a Notary?

Yes.

One of the most important changes compared with older guides is that couples are not limited to processing the preliminary marriage file through the Civil Registry.

A marriage act can also be processed before a notary competent for the domicile of either future spouse.

The notary examines the same central legal questions:

• Do both people have capacity to marry?
• Is either person already married?
• Is there a prohibited relationship?
• Is the consent genuine?
• Are the required documents valid?

If everything is satisfactory, the notary issues the corresponding favorable act authorizing the marriage.

For more information about Spanish notarial procedures, see our Notary Services in Spain guide.

Where Is the Marriage Application Processed?

The competent authority depends primarily on domicile.

Through the Civil Registry

The marriage expediente is handled by the competent authority connected with the domicile of one of the future spouses.

Under Spain’s newer Civil Registry model:

• if both partners share a domicile, the corresponding Civil Registry handles the expediente;
• if they have different domiciles, they can generally select the Civil Registry corresponding to one of them;
• if they do not make a choice, the application can be directed according to the order in which the applicants appear on the application.

Through a Notary

The notarial act is processed before a notary of the place where either future spouse is domiciled.

If One Partner Lives Abroad

Where one or both future spouses live outside Spain, a Spanish diplomatic or consular official responsible for Civil Registry matters in the relevant consular district can become involved in processing the preliminary expediente.

This is why international couples should identify the competent authority before collecting documents.

Can Tourists Get Married in Spain?

Potentially, but it is more complicated than many wedding websites suggest.

Spanish law allows marriages involving foreigners, but the preliminary authorization procedure depends on domicile.

If neither partner is genuinely domiciled in Spain, they should not assume that registering temporarily at a hotel or holiday apartment allows any Spanish Civil Registry to process a marriage application.

Depending on the circumstances, the appropriate procedure may involve:

• the Spanish consular Civil Registry corresponding to a partner’s foreign domicile;
• another competent Civil Registry;
• the law of one of the foreign partners;
• another legally recognized marriage route.

If you are planning a destination wedding in Spain while both partners normally live abroad, confirm the legal procedure before booking a venue or setting a non-refundable wedding date.

Do You Need to Be a Legal Resident of Spain to Get Married?

Marriage capacity and immigration residence are different legal questions.

A person does not become legally incapable of marrying simply because they are a foreign national.

The marriage authority is concerned with matters such as:

• identity;
• legal capacity;
• matrimonial status;
• domicile;
• genuine consent.

Immigration authorities separately determine whether the foreign national has:

• a visa;
• residence authorization;
• work rights;
• legal stay status.

Marriage itself does not automatically correct an irregular immigration situation.

Do You Need an NIE to Get Married in Spain?

Not necessarily.

The national marriage rules require proof of identity, but they do not create a universal rule stating that every foreign future spouse must first obtain a standalone NIE.

A foreign applicant will commonly identify themselves using:

• passport;
• national identity document where legally accepted;
• NIE if already assigned;
• other accepted official identification.

If you already have an NIE, the authority may request or record it.

But:

passport ≠ NIE

and:

NIE ≠ permission to marry.

For a complete explanation of the foreigner identification number, see our NIE Number in Spain guide.

Is Empadronamiento Required to Get Married?

A padrón certificate is commonly requested because the competent marriage authority needs to determine the couple’s domicile and the application also asks for information about where the future spouses have lived during the previous two years.

However, it is misleading to say that every marriage application throughout Spain always requires exactly the same padrón document issued within exactly the same number of days.

The authority may request:

• certificado de empadronamiento;
• volante de empadronamiento;
• historical padrón;
• another document establishing domicile or previous residence.

The exact document can depend on:

• municipality;
• Civil Registry;
• notary;
• residence history;
• whether one partner lives abroad.

If you live in Spain but have not yet registered your address, see our Empadronamiento in Spain guide.

Basic Legal Requirements to Marry in Spain

The preliminary procedure checks whether any legal impediment prevents the marriage.

Genuine Consent

There is no valid marriage without genuine matrimonial consent.

Both people must genuinely intend to marry each other.

A marriage created only on paper to obtain:

• residence;
• nationality;
• immigration benefits;
• another legal advantage

can be treated as a sham or convenience marriage.

Existing Marriage

A person cannot enter a new marriage while already legally married to someone else.

If either future spouse was previously married, they will normally need to prove that the former marriage ended through:

• divorce;
• annulment;
• death of the previous spouse.

Age and Emancipation

Older simplified guides often state:

“You must be 18 to marry in Spain.”

Spanish law is more precise.

The Civil Code prohibits marriage by a minor who has not been emancipated.

Most international marriage applicants will therefore be adults, but special rules concerning emancipation can exist.

Where a foreign minor is involved, the person’s national law and Spanish private international law may also require examination.

Prohibited Family Relationships

Spanish law prohibits marriage between certain close relatives.

This includes:

• relatives in the direct line by blood;
• relatives in the direct line by adoption;
• collateral blood relatives up to the third degree.

A judicial dispensation can be possible for certain third-degree collateral relationships where the legal conditions are satisfied.

Other Matrimonial Impediments

Spanish law also contains a specific impediment involving people convicted of intentional participation in the death of a spouse or person with whom the other party had an equivalent relationship.

A judicial dispensation can be available in qualifying circumstances.

These are unusual cases, but they demonstrate why the marriage expediente is a legal-capacity procedure rather than merely wedding administration.

What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Get Married in Spain?

There is no single document checklist that applies identically to every foreign couple.

The official national procedure requires proof concerning identity, birth where the information cannot be directly consulted, dissolution of previous marriages where applicable, and any necessary emancipation or dispensation.

Foreign nationals commonly need additional documents because Spanish authorities cannot automatically access civil-status databases in another country.

A typical international marriage file can therefore include the following.

Passport or Identity Document

Each foreign partner normally provides a valid:

• passport; or
• other officially accepted identity document.

Bring the complete documentation requested by the Civil Registry or notary.

If you have an NIE or TIE, include it where requested, but do not confuse these with the primary proof of nationality and identity.

Birth Certificate

A foreign birth certificate is commonly required.

The certificate should establish information such as:

• full name;
• date of birth;
• place of birth;
• parentage where relevant.

Depending on the issuing country, it may require:

• apostille;
• legalization;
• sworn translation.

Proof of Current Marital Status

The authority needs to establish that neither future spouse is currently married.

Depending on nationality and the documents available in the country of origin, this might involve:

• certificate of single status;
• certificate of no impediment;
• certificate of marital status;
• certificate of capacity to marry;
• consular declaration;
• another official civil-status document.

Not every country issues a document with the same name.

This is one reason international marriage files should be prepared according to nationality rather than from a generic internet checklist.

If You Are Divorced

A previously married applicant may need:

• previous marriage certificate;
• final divorce judgment;
• divorce certificate;
• updated civil-status certificate showing dissolution.

If the divorce took place abroad, recognition questions can arise depending on:

• country;
• type of judgment;
• whether EU recognition rules apply;
• whether additional Spanish recognition is necessary.

Do not assume that a foreign divorce judgment is automatically sufficient simply because it is translated.

If You Are Widowed

A widowed applicant may need:

• previous marriage certificate;
• death certificate of the former spouse;
• updated civil-status evidence.

Foreign documents may need the applicable apostille, legalization and translation formalities.

Evidence of Domicile

Because domicile determines which authority can process the preliminary marriage file, evidence can be important.

Possible documents include:

• current padrón;
• historical padrón;
• foreign residence certificate;
• consular registration;
• other official domicile evidence.

The application also asks for the towns or places where the future spouses lived or were domiciled during the previous two years.

Witness Information

The preliminary marriage application includes identification of witnesses.

The final civil marriage ceremony also requires two witnesses.

The authority will explain:

• which witness documents are required;
• whether the same witnesses can be used throughout the procedure;
• when they need to attend.

Previous Marriage Information

If one or both partners were previously married, the application identifies:

• previous spouse;
• dissolution of the marriage;
• relevant dates.

Make sure the information on the application matches the supporting civil-status documentation.

Do Foreign Documents Need an Apostille?

Often, but not always.

Whether a document needs an apostille or legalization depends on:

• the country that issued it;
• the type of document;
• applicable international conventions;
• applicable EU rules;
• bilateral agreements.

A Hague Apostille is common for documents issued in Hague Convention countries.

For documents from countries outside the relevant apostille framework, consular or diplomatic legalization can be required.

Certain documents circulating between EU Member States can benefit from simplified rules that remove some legalization requirements.

Therefore, never apostille documents automatically without first checking whether it is actually required.

Do Marriage Documents Need a Sworn Translation?

Foreign-language documents may need an official Spanish translation.

In Spain this is commonly called a:

traducción jurada

and is produced by an appropriately authorized sworn translator.

Typical documents that may need translation include:

• birth certificates;
• divorce certificates;
• court judgments;
• death certificates;
• certificates of marital status;
• foreign residence certificates.

Some multilingual documents or documents covered by specific EU arrangements may reduce or eliminate the need for a separate translation in particular cases.

For detailed guidance, see our Sworn Translation Services in Spain.

How Recent Must the Documents Be?

There is no universal Spanish marriage rule stating that every foreign birth certificate or civil-status document must have been issued within exactly three months or six months.

This is an important correction to many online marriage guides.

Individual authorities can require recent civil-status evidence because they need confidence that the information is current.

For example, recency can be especially important for a:

• single-status certificate;
• no-impediment certificate;
• marital-status certificate;
• residence certificate.

Before ordering expensive foreign documents, confirm:

1. which document is accepted;
2. whether a recent issue date is required;
3. whether it needs apostille or legalization;
4. whether it needs sworn translation.

This avoids paying twice for the same certificate.

How Does the Marriage Application Start?

The preliminary expediente or act begins with an application signed by both future spouses.

The application includes information concerning:

• identity;
• profession;
• witnesses;
• previous spouses where applicable;
• date a previous marriage ended;
• declaration that no marriage impediment exists;
• authority chosen for the ceremony where applicable;
• places where the applicants lived or were domiciled during the previous two years.

Supporting evidence is then attached.

Will There Be a Marriage Interview?

There can be.

Spanish marriage procedures involving foreign nationals can include personal interviews designed to confirm that:

• the relationship is genuine;
• both people understand they are marrying;
• no hidden existing marriage exists;
• no legal impediment exists;
• the marriage is not simulated solely to obtain immigration or nationality benefits.

Where the authorities consider it necessary, the future spouses can be interviewed separately.

Questions may concern matters such as:

• how the couple met;
• length of the relationship;
• where they live;
• family circumstances;
• shared plans;
• previous relationships;
• ordinary details of their life together.

The objective is not to require couples to memorize identical answers.

It is to establish genuine matrimonial consent.

What Is a Marriage of Convenience?

A matrimonio de conveniencia is a marriage in which genuine matrimonial consent does not exist and the marriage is created principally to obtain another legal benefit.

Immigration status can be one reason authorities investigate the authenticity of a relationship.

Spain does not prohibit a genuine couple from marrying simply because marriage will also create immigration advantages.

The problem arises when the marriage itself is simulated.

For example:

Genuine relationship + marriage + later residence application

can be perfectly legitimate.

But:

No genuine matrimonial intention + marriage arranged solely for immigration documents

can result in serious legal problems.

What Happens After the Marriage File Is Approved?

If the authority determines that the legal requirements are met, the couple receives a favorable decision or notarial act authorizing the marriage.

The next stage is the actual ceremony.

Where a certificate of matrimonial capacity is issued for a qualifying marriage abroad, that certificate is valid for six months.

Do not assume that every document in the file has the same validity period.

Where Can a Civil Marriage Be Celebrated?

The available authority depends partly on how the preliminary procedure was processed.

A civil marriage can be celebrated, where legally applicable, before:

• Mayor;
• authorized Councillor;
• Letrado de la Administración de Justicia;
• notary;
• Spanish diplomatic or consular official.

For example, where the preliminary act was handled by a notary, the couple can normally choose to give consent before:

• that notary;
• another competent notary;
• an authorized Mayor or Councillor.

The precise arrangements should be confirmed when the preliminary authorization is issued.

Do You Need Two Witnesses at the Wedding?

Yes.

The marriage document is signed by:

• the authorized person conducting the marriage;
• both spouses;
• two witnesses.

Witness identity documents should be checked with the authority conducting the ceremony before the wedding date.

What Happens During the Civil Ceremony?

The legal ceremony itself can be relatively short.

The authorized official asks each partner whether they consent to marry the other.

Once both give affirmative matrimonial consent, the authority declares the marriage concluded and prepares the corresponding:

• act; or
• public deed where the marriage is celebrated before a notary.

The couple can organize a larger personal celebration separately.

The legal validity comes from satisfying the statutory marriage requirements, not from the size or style of the wedding.

Can You Get Married Before a Notary?

Yes.

A notary can be involved in both stages:

Stage 1 — preliminary matrimonial act

and, where legally applicable:

Stage 2 — marriage ceremony

Couples can also process the act before one notary and celebrate before another competent notary or authorized municipal authority.

For international couples, a notarial route can sometimes provide a clearer administrative workflow, although availability, documentation and timing still vary.

Do not assume a notary can bypass missing foreign civil-status documents or legal capacity requirements.

Can You Get Married at an Ayuntamiento?

Yes, where the marriage has first been properly authorized and the chosen municipal authority is legally competent to celebrate it.

A Mayor or authorized Councillor can conduct the civil marriage.

Municipalities can have their own arrangements concerning:

• available dates;
• ceremony rooms;
• appointment systems;
• municipal charges for special venues or times;
• witness details.

Those logistical rules are separate from the national legal requirements for capacity to marry.

Can You Have a Religious Wedding in Spain?

Yes.

Spain recognizes civil effects for marriages celebrated in legally recognized religious forms when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

Depending on the religious form, a preliminary matrimonial capacity procedure may still be required.

Registration with the Civil Registry is essential for full recognition of the civil effects.

A symbolic destination ceremony that does not satisfy Spanish civil or recognized religious marriage requirements is not automatically a legally valid marriage.

Can You Marry by Power of Attorney in Spain?

Spanish law allows marriage by proxy in specific circumstances.

One future spouse can marry through an authorized representative where:

• a special authentic power has been granted;
• the power identifies the person they intend to marry;
• the competent authority accepts the power;
• the other future spouse attends the marriage personally.

This is a specialized procedure rather than the ordinary method of getting married.

International couples considering a proxy marriage should prepare the power carefully and confirm the procedure before relying on it.

How Long Does It Take to Get Married in Spain?

There is no national guaranteed processing time such as “three to six months.”

Actual timing depends on:

• Civil Registry workload;
• notary availability;
• foreign documents;
• apostilles;
• translations;
• whether one spouse lives abroad;
• additional interviews;
• previous marriage documentation;
• corrections requested by the authority;
• ceremony availability after authorization.

A straightforward case can move faster than a complicated international case, but major Civil Registry offices can experience significant delays.

Do not book a legally fixed wedding date based solely on an estimated internet processing time.

Is Getting Married Before a Notary Faster?

Sometimes, but not automatically.

A notary can provide an alternative to processing the preliminary act through the Civil Registry.

Whether this is faster depends on:

• local notary availability;
• document completeness;
• foreign-document verification;
• complexity of the case;
• whether additional evidence is needed.

The legal requirements do not disappear because the procedure is handled by a notary.

Is There a Government Fee to Get Married?

The cost depends on the route.

Civil Registry procedures and municipal ceremonies should be distinguished from:

• notarial professional procedures;
• translations;
• apostilles;
• legalization;
• foreign certificates;
• special municipal ceremony venues;
• professional document assistance.

There is no useful single nationwide figure for the total cost of getting married in Spain.

International couples should budget mainly for document preparation and, where applicable, notarial services.

What Happens After the Wedding?

Once the marriage is celebrated, the corresponding marriage document is created.

The authorized person sends the required information to the Civil Registry for registration.

The spouses receive evidence of the marriage and, after registration, can obtain the corresponding Spanish marriage certificate.

Marriage has civil effects from celebration, while Civil Registry registration provides full formal recognition and proof against third parties.

Why Is Civil Registry Registration Important?

The marriage certificate can later be important for:

• immigration;
• family residence;
• nationality applications;
• inheritance;
• pensions;
• Social Security;
• tax procedures;
• banking;
• insurance;
• healthcare;
• birth registration for children;
• other family-law matters.

Keep digital and paper copies of the marriage documentation.

Does Marriage Give a Foreigner Spanish Residence?

No.

Marriage and immigration residence are separate procedures.

A marriage can create a qualifying family relationship, but the foreign spouse must still use the correct immigration route.

The correct route depends on who the spouse is.

Marriage to a Spanish Citizen

A qualifying non-EU spouse of a Spanish citizen will generally need to examine Spain’s dedicated family residence regime.

The main current form is EX-24.

A qualifying authorization can provide:

• residence in Spain;
• employee work rights;
• self-employed work rights;
• potentially up to five years of residence.

For the current procedure, see our EX-24 Family Members of Spanish Citizens guide.

Marriage itself does not replace EX-24 approval.

Marriage to an EU, EEA or Swiss Citizen

A qualifying non-EU spouse of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen exercising free-movement rights in Spain can generally examine the EU-family residence route.

The principal form is:

EX-19

For details, see our EX-19 EU Family Residence Card guide.

Marriage to a Non-EU Spanish Resident

If both spouses are non-EU nationals and one already holds qualifying residence in Spain, ordinary family reunification may apply.

That procedure commonly uses:

EX-02

and can involve additional requirements concerning:

• sponsor’s residence status;
• income;
• housing;
• family documentation;
• visa procedure where applicable.

See our EX-02 Family Reunification guide.

If Both Foreign Spouses Have No Spanish Residence

Getting married in Spain does not itself create a Spanish residence permit for either spouse.

They still need an independent immigration basis if they intend to remain in Spain beyond their authorized stay.

Marriage is a civil-status event.

Residence is an immigration status.

Do not confuse the two.

Does Marriage to a Spanish Citizen Give Spanish Citizenship?

Not automatically.

Spain does not grant immediate citizenship simply because a foreign national marries a Spanish citizen.

However, marriage can significantly reduce the residence period required for nationality by residence.

A person who, at the time of applying:

• has been married to a Spanish citizen for at least one year;
• is not legally or factually separated;
• has completed at least one year of legal, continuous residence in Spain immediately before applying;

can potentially qualify under the reduced one-year residence period.

The other nationality requirements still apply.

Therefore:

Marriage to Spaniard ≠ automatic citizenship

but:

Qualifying marriage + qualifying legal residence + other requirements → potentially shorter nationality route

Does Marriage Change Your NIE?

No.

An NIE is your personal foreigner identification number.

If you already have one, you normally keep the same NIE throughout your interactions with Spanish administration.

Marriage can change your immigration category, but it does not normally produce a new NIE simply because your civil status changes.

Does Marriage Change Your Surname in Spain?

Spanish citizens do not ordinarily change their surnames automatically upon marriage.

For foreign nationals, name and surname questions can depend on their own national law and identity documents.

Do not assume that marrying in Spain automatically changes the surname shown in your:

• passport;
• NIE;
• TIE;
• bank account;
• tax records.

If your passport changes after marriage, corresponding Spanish records may also need updating.

What Is the Matrimonial Property Regime?

Marriage can also have financial consequences.

Do not assume that every couple married in Spain automatically falls under exactly the same sociedad de gananciales property regime.

The applicable matrimonial property system can depend on:

• nationality;
• domicile or habitual residence;
• applicable private international law;
• Spanish regional civil law;
• matrimonial agreements.

Couples can also use capitulaciones matrimoniales in appropriate circumstances to regulate their property regime.

International couples with:

• property;
• businesses;
• substantial investments;
• children from previous relationships;
• assets in several countries

should consider obtaining legal or notarial advice before marriage.

Marriage vs Pareja de Hecho in Spain

Marriage and pareja de hecho are not the same legal institution.

Marriage

Marriage is governed by Spain’s national civil-law framework and produces a recognized marital civil status.

Pareja de Hecho

Registered partnerships are heavily influenced by:

• Autonomous Community rules;
• regional registries;
• local requirements.

Eligibility, registration and legal effects can therefore vary considerably depending on where in Spain the couple lives.

For immigration purposes, Spain can also recognize certain registered and stable unmarried partnerships under specific residence routes.

A couple should therefore choose between marriage and partnership based on the complete legal situation rather than assuming one is simply a faster immigration shortcut.

Common Mistakes When Foreigners Marry in Spain

Assuming an NIE Is Always Mandatory

Identity must be proved, but an NIE is not the universal legal prerequisite often described online.

Assuming Both Partners Must Always Be 18

Spanish law specifically prohibits marriage by non-emancipated minors. Special legal rules can therefore require more precise analysis.

Thinking the Local Town Hall Starts the Whole Process

The preliminary marriage authorization can be processed through the Civil Registry/legal administration or a notary.

Assuming You Must Use the Registro Civil

A notarial act can also be used.

Assuming Any Registro Civil Can Process the Application

Competence depends on domicile.

Registering Temporarily Somewhere Just to Choose a Faster Office

Do not artificially manipulate domicile solely to move the expediente to another municipality.

Buying Every Foreign Certificate Before Checking Requirements

Confirm the exact list first.

Believing Every Certificate Must Be Less Than Three Months Old

There is no single national three-month rule for every marriage document.

Believing Every Certificate Is Valid for Six Months

Document validity depends on the document and authority.

Forgetting Apostille or Legalization

Foreign documents can be rejected if the required authentication is missing.

Apostilling a Document That Is Exempt

Check whether an EU or international exemption applies before paying for unnecessary procedures.

Using an Ordinary Translation

An official sworn translation may be required.

Assuming Marriage Automatically Legalizes Immigration Status

It does not.

Assuming Marriage to a Spaniard Gives Immediate Citizenship

It does not.

Underestimating Previous Divorce Documentation

A foreign divorce can create additional document or recognition issues.

Giving Inconsistent Information During Interviews

The authorities are checking whether genuine consent exists.

Booking a Non-Refundable Wedding Date Too Early

Complete the legal authorization process before assuming a specific ceremony date is guaranteed.

Step-by-Step: How Foreigners Get Married in Spain

The process can be summarized as follows.

Step 1: Determine Which Authority Is Competent

Establish:

• where each partner is domiciled;
• whether the Civil Registry or notarial route will be used;
• whether a Spanish consular authority needs to participate.

Step 2: Get the Exact Document Checklist

Check the requirements for:

• each nationality;
• current marital status;
• previous marriages;
• place of residence;
• foreign documents.

Step 3: Order Foreign Civil-Status Documents

Typical documents can include:

• birth certificate;
• single-status certificate;
• divorce documents;
• death certificate of former spouse.

Step 4: Complete Apostille or Legalization

Do this only where legally required.

Step 5: Arrange Sworn Translations

Translate the final authenticated documents where an official Spanish translation is required.

Step 6: Prepare Domicile Evidence

Obtain the required:

• padrón;
• historical padrón;
• foreign residence certificate;
• other domicile evidence.

Step 7: Submit the Marriage Application

Both partners sign the request and provide the required evidence.

Step 8: Complete Any Interview or Additional Verification

Attend personally when instructed.

Answer truthfully and consistently.

Step 9: Receive Marriage Authorization

The competent authority issues the favorable resolution or notarial act when the requirements are met.

Step 10: Arrange the Ceremony

Choose the legally available authority and date.

Prepare the two witnesses.

Step 11: Celebrate the Marriage

Both partners give matrimonial consent before the competent authority.

Step 12: Register the Marriage

The marriage documentation is transmitted to the Civil Registry for registration.

Step 13: Obtain the Marriage Certificate

Keep the certificate for future:

• immigration;
• nationality;
• tax;
• Social Security;
• healthcare;
• inheritance;
• family procedures.

Step 14: Complete Immigration Procedures if Needed

If one spouse needs Spanish residence, identify whether the correct route is:

• EX-24;
• EX-19;
• EX-02;
• another residence category.

Getting Married in Spain Checklist for Foreigners

Before starting the process, check:

• both partners’ nationalities;
• both partners’ domiciles;
• whether either person was previously married;
• whether any foreign divorce needs additional recognition;
• which authority will process the preliminary marriage authorization;
• whether you will use the Civil Registry or a notary;
• passports or identity documents;
• birth certificates;
• current marital-status documents;
• divorce documents where applicable;
• death certificates where applicable;
• domicile evidence;
• residence history for the previous two years;
• witness information;
• apostille requirements;
• legalization requirements;
• sworn translation requirements;
• document issue-date requirements requested by the competent authority;
• ceremony authority;
• ceremony witnesses;
• marriage registration;
• post-marriage immigration route where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Married in Spain

Can a foreigner marry a Spanish citizen in Spain?

Yes.

The couple must satisfy the applicable marriage requirements and complete the preliminary marriage authorization procedure.

Can two foreigners get married in Spain?

Yes.

Spanish law allows two foreign nationals to marry in Spain, subject to the applicable legal form, personal law and competent procedural authority.

Can two tourists get married in Spain?

Potentially, but not simply by arriving and booking a town-hall ceremony.

The couple must first establish which authority is competent based on domicile and the applicable international circumstances.

Do I need an NIE to get married in Spain?

There is no universal rule requiring every foreign future spouse to obtain an NIE simply to have legal capacity to marry.

Proof of identity is required.

Do I need a TIE to get married?

Not as a universal marriage-capacity requirement.

A TIE documents certain immigration statuses; it is not the document that creates the right to marry.

Do I need empadronamiento?

Evidence of domicile is important and a padrón certificate is commonly requested where the person lives in Spain.

The exact document should be confirmed with the competent authority.

Do I need a birth certificate?

Foreign applicants commonly need one where the Spanish authority cannot directly verify the birth information.

Do I need a certificate showing I am single?

Foreign applicants commonly need acceptable proof of current marital status or legal capacity to marry.

The document name varies by country.

How recent must my birth certificate be?

There is no universal national rule stating every foreign birth certificate must be less than three or six months old.

Check the specific authority’s requirements before ordering it.

Do foreign documents need an apostille?

Often, but not always.

The requirement depends on the issuing country, document and applicable international or EU rules.

Do documents need to be translated into Spanish?

Foreign-language documents frequently require a sworn translation unless an applicable exemption or accepted multilingual format applies.

Can I process the marriage through a notary?

Yes.

A competent Spanish notary can process the preliminary matrimonial act.

Can the notary also marry us?

Yes, where the applicable requirements and competence rules are satisfied.

Can an Ayuntamiento marry us?

Yes, after the marriage has been properly authorized and the competent Mayor or Councillor is designated to conduct the ceremony.

Do we need witnesses?

Yes.

Two witnesses are required for the marriage ceremony.

Will we be interviewed separately?

Separate interviews can form part of the verification process, particularly where authorities need to confirm genuine matrimonial consent or investigate possible legal impediments.

Can I marry if I was divorced abroad?

Yes, provided the previous marriage has legally ended and Spain accepts the necessary proof of dissolution.

Additional recognition requirements can apply in some cases.

Can I marry if I am widowed?

Yes.

You may need to provide evidence of the former spouse’s death and the previous marriage.

Can same-sex foreigners marry in Spain?

Yes.

Spanish civil marriage is available to couples of the same or different sex, subject to the same legal capacity and procedural requirements.

Can one partner marry by proxy?

Spanish law permits marriage by special power of attorney in qualifying circumstances, but the other future spouse must personally attend.

How long does getting married in Spain take?

There is no guaranteed nationwide timeframe.

Processing depends on the authority, location and complexity of the documents.

Is getting married at a notary faster?

It can be, depending on availability and the case, but notarial processing does not remove the legal verification requirements.

Does getting married in Spain give me residency?

No.

Marriage can create a qualifying family relationship, but a separate immigration application is still required.

I married a Spanish citizen. Which residence form applies?

A qualifying non-EU spouse will normally examine the dedicated Spanish-family residence route using EX-24.

I married an EU citizen. Which form applies?

A qualifying non-EU spouse of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen can generally examine EX-19.

My spouse is a non-EU Spanish resident. Which route applies?

General family reunification through EX-02 may apply if the sponsor and spouse satisfy the requirements.

Does marriage to a Spaniard automatically give citizenship?

No.

However, a foreign national who has been married to a Spaniard for at least one year, is not legally or factually separated, and has at least one year of legal, continuous residence immediately before the nationality application can potentially use the reduced one-year residence requirement.

Does the wedding have to be registered?

Registration with the Civil Registry is essential for full formal recognition and proof of the marriage’s civil effects.

Getting Married in Spain: The Best Order for International Couples

The safest approach is:

Check domicile and legal route → Choose Civil Registry or notary → Confirm exact documents → Obtain foreign certificates → Apostille/legalize where required → Sworn translation where required → Submit marriage expediente/acta → Complete interviews if requested → Receive authorization → Celebrate marriage with two witnesses → Register marriage → Obtain certificate → Complete residence procedure if necessary

The biggest mistake is reversing that order.

Do not start by booking the wedding venue.

Start by confirming whether Spain can process your marriage and exactly which documents your case requires.

Need Help Getting Married and Settling in Spain?

For international couples, the ceremony is often the easiest part.

The difficult part can be coordinating:

• foreign birth certificates;
• civil-status certificates;
• divorce records;
• apostilles;
• legalization;
• sworn translations;
• padrón documentation;
• notarial procedures;
• marriage registration;
• immigration after marriage.

Newcomer.es can help you organize the administrative steps and connect the marriage process with the procedures that may follow.

If you need official translations, see our Sworn Translation Services in Spain.

For notarial procedures, see our Notary Services in Spain guide.

If your future spouse is Spanish, see our EX-24 Family Members of Spanish Citizens guide.

If your future spouse is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, see our EX-19 EU Family Residence Card guide.

If your spouse is a qualifying non-EU resident, see our EX-02 Family Reunification guide.

For help coordinating the marriage documentation and any residence procedure that follows, contact Newcomer.es.