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Dli Beannaithe - Irish Marriage Laws

In 2004, the Irish Government introduced the Civil Registration Act, and once passed by the Oireachtas, it was to deal with amongst other issues, the area of marriage registration in Ireland.

The intention of this Act was to modernise and simplify current legislation in place in Ireland.

Now, this legislation has finally come into effect as and from November 5th, 2007.

Whether getting married in a church or by civil registration, it is important to note that the emphasis now transfers to the couple themselves to ensure the legislation is fully complied with, and indeed the legwork will now also fall to the couple.

Important Information For YOU!!

Please note the following points which apply irrespective of where the ceremony is to take place:

* Civil Registrar of area where marriage is to take place should be notified a minimum of 3 months in advance of intended date of marriage;

* Venue MUST be available on date chosen by the couple;

* Couple must now present themselves in person to Registrars Office - notification by post will no longer be acceptable;

* 150.00 euros Fee Payable To Registrar;

* Couple must bring following documentation to Registrars Office when giving notification:

1. Photo ID (preferably a passport or driving license);

2. Proof of Address (e.g. utility bill);

3. PPS Numbers;

4. Names & Dates of Birth of Witnesses;

5. Name of Venue where they wish to be married;

6. Either party previously married must provide an original final divorce decree is required;

7. If previous partner is deceased, then the death certificate will be required as well as the marriage certificate from first marriage is also required.

Couples from outside Ireland

Couples from outside Ireland are advised to give themselves more than the required minimum of 3 months notice to ensure all paperwork is in order and readily available as may be requested by the Registrars Office.

Church Ceremonies Information

If couple are getting married in Church, please note the follwong requirements IN ADDITION to those as outlined above;

* Name of church must be supplied;

* Church must be available on chosen notified date;

* Name of Officiating Priest/Cleric required and is also available on chosen notified date);

Summary

Thereafter, again irrespective of where the ceremony is to take place, once officiated over by a registered Solemniser, the following shall occur;

* A Marriage Registration Form (MRF) shall issue to both the couple and the registered Solemniser by the Registrars Office;

* No MRF = No Marriage!!

* Couple MUST present their MRF to Solemniser BEFORE ceremony to ensure details are correct, and this is encouraged to happen as early as possible before marriage due to take place;

* Any changes in ANY detail for whatever reason MUST be notified by the couple to the Registrars Office as soon as possible to accomodate and ensure the re-issuing of a new MRF;

Post-Ceremony

* Solemniser ensures that MRF is signed by couple, both witnesses and by Solemniser themselves;

* Couple must now ensure within 1 MONTH of ceremony that this signed MRF is registered with ANY Registrars Office.

Fr Seosamh O Riain