Civil Marriages in Cyprus
Theoretically there is a residency requirement of 15 days for foreign nationals in Cyprus before a Civil Marriage can take place.
In practice it is easy to get a waiver from this requirement by seeking a special marriage licence which allows the marriage to take place within 2-3 days of application. However you must show evidence that you will be in Cyprus for a minimum of 14 days, which can be after the wedding.
Locations for Wedding Ceremonies
While most civil weddings take place in the local town hall, they can take place in any venue that has been licensed by the local Mayor.
Many venues in areas popular with overseas visitors have such licenses, so there is a good choice of venues available. However, in general getting access to them means booking a wedding package, so for those going it alone the town hall remains the most likely venue.
Residency & Application
Marriages of non-citizens in Cyprus are conducted under the provisions of the Marriage Law 104(I) of 2003.
Applications can be made only after your arrival in Cyprus, in person, at the Marriage Office of the Municipality where you will marry.
There are two ways in which you can get permission to marry in Cyprus:
- Giving notice of marriage
In case of notice, there is a minimum residency of 15 working days in the Municipality in which you will marry. - Applying for a special licence
If you apply for a special licence (for an "advanced fee", ie a higher one!) the marriage can be celebrated within 2-3 working days.
Period During Which Marriage Can Take Place
Once permission to marry is granted, the marriage must be celebrated within 3 months, at the latest, from the date that notice was given. If, for any reason, the marriage is not celebrated within 3 months, the notice given and all consequential proceedings are considered to be void.
Paperwork and Legal Declarations
- Legal identification in the form of passports and birth certificates is required. Passports must be 10 year passports with a minimum of 6 months left to run.
- Completion of a joint application called “Notice of Marriage” indicating that both parties to the marriage wish to marry each other and containing their particulars on the basis of their passport.
- A declaration on oath or affirmation before the Marriage Officer that they know of no impediment or other lawful hindrance to their marriage.
- A Certificate of No Impediment.
If the Marriage Officer has any doubt about the accuracy or genuineness of the certificate, the couple may be called upon to make a sworn declaration before the Registrar of a District Court that they are single and have never been married before or are otherwise free to marry. - Divorcees have to present the “Decree Absolute” of their dissolved marriage
- Widowed persons have to present the “Certificate of Death” of their late partner. Also they have to make a declaration on oath (affidavit) that they have not married again since then.
Age Requirements
18 without parental consent.
Fees for Marriage Licence
These fees cover obtaining a licence to marry and the issuing of one copy of a marriage certificate. They do not cover the wedding ceremony or anything else.
Standard Notice Fee:
CY£75,00 (about €130)
Advanced Licence Fee:
CY£165,00 (about €285)
Marriage Certificates
You will be supplied with a certificate of marriage by the Marriage Officer. Additional copies are available by application to the Marriage Officer or to the Ministry of Interior for a fee of CY£8,00 for each certified copy.
A copy of your marriage certificate will also be forwarded by the Marriage Officer to the Embassy or Consulate of your home country in Cyprus.