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Getting married in Spain or registering as a pareja de hecho

Many international couples get married in Spain. It is a common procedure, but with quite a lot of paperwork, especially when one partner is a foreigner.

Where to get married

• At the Registro Civil or the town hall, after a preliminary file.
• Before a notary: since 2017, notaries can process the file and perform the marriage.
• A religious wedding with civil effects, depending on the faith.

The usual documents

• Birth certificate and a certificate of no impediment (proof that you are free to marry), issued by the authorities or consulate of your country.
• Passport or NIE and padrón certificate.
• Foreign documents apostilled or legalised, with a sworn translation into Spanish.
• If you were married before: divorce decree or death certificate.

Pareja de hecho

The Spanish equivalent of a civil partnership is registered with your autonomous community. The requirements vary a lot from one region to another (time living together, joint padrón registration, a child in common…).

Next step: residency

Marriage or a registered partnership with an EU or Spanish citizen gives the right to residency as a family member. The authorities check that the relationship is genuine.

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