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The process for foreign nationals to legally marry in Cyprus is fairly straightforward. It is a civil marriage, covered by the Marriage Law
104 (I) of 2003. Application to be married must be made at a municipal office.
How to get married in Cyprus
The marrying parties must apply jointly, in person, to the Marriage Officer of the Municipality of the area in which they want to marry, and complete a
Notice of Marriage which confirms a mutual desire to marry each other.
There are various documents to be presented and criteria to be satisfied for the Notice of Marriage to be properly completed. They are the following:
- Each person must present proof of identity, age and nationality: valid passport (and possibly birth certificate). If an applicant is under 18 years of age they musty provide a letter from their parent or legal guardian stating that they approve of the marriage.
- Each person must affirm (by declaring on oath) that they "know of no impediment or other lawful hindrance to their marriage".
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Each person must prove that they are single either by showing that they have never
been married, or by proving that any previous marriage is over.
- Proof of never being married:
The person must present (if possible) an official document certifying that they have never been married. If a certificate cannot be presented, or if the Marriage Officer has doubts, the applicant may be asked to make a sworn declaration at the Registrar of a District Court that they are unmarried.
- Proof of termination of any previous marriages:
Widows and widowers must supply the Death Certificate of their deceased partner. They may be required to affirm (declare on oath) that they have not been married since.
Divorcees must present their Decree Absolute affirming that a previous marriage is legally over.
Once the Notice of Marriage is completed the ceremony must take place between 15
days and 3 months of the date on the notice. If the marriage has not taken place within three months, the marriage notice is no longer valid and the application process
must be repeated.
A marriage can take place within three days, if necessary, for a fee. Applicants can apply to the Marriage Officer or the Minister of the Interior for special marriage license that will allow a marriage within three days provided all the criteria above are met. Payment must be made in advance to secure the date for the ceremony.
The Civil Ceremony
The marriage is performed by the marriage officer in the mayor's office on the agreed date. The couple will be given a Certificate of Marriage which is recognised as valid in most countries. Further certified copies can be bought through the Marriage Officer or the Ministry of Interior.
Religious Ceremony
Once the criteria of the Marriage Notice have been met, the marriage may be performed by a registered minister of religion in church. This will have to be arranged separately by the couple planning the wedding. An alternative to this is to have the civil marriage at the mayor's office and complete the ceremony with a blessing in a church (this option is recommended by the US Consulate).
Declaring the Marriage
The Marriage Officer will forward a certified copy of the Certificate of
Marriage to the Cyprus based Embassy or Consulate of a foreign national marrying in Cyprus (if their nation is represented in Cyprus).
Any person found making illegal or false statements in their application may be imprisoned
Note: Same-sex marriage is not permitted in Cyprus.
Further information
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