Legal Requirements
Useful Information
To ensure that your big day goes off without a hitch, there are a few legal requirements to consider, whether you choose to organise a Catholic, civil, or any other religious ceremony. See below for all the information and legal documentation needed to get married in the Archipelago of Madeira.
Catholic Wedding
True architectural jewels that tell the rich history and culture of the Madeiran people, the many churches and chapels scattered throughout the archipelago offer the perfect setting to formalise your union in an atmosphere of deep spirituality and tradition. However, to hold your Catholic ceremony in Madeira without issues, having all the required documentation is crucial.
- Passport or Identification Document;
- Birth Certificate;
- Certificate of No Impediment (or equivalent), issued by your home country, confirming that the couple is legally free to marry;
- Copy of the civil marriage certificate issued by your home country or certificate for Catholic marriage issued by the embassy/consulate in Portugal;
- Baptism and Confirmation Certificates, if applicable;
- Affidavit of Freedom to Marry, obtained through two witnesses who confirm that the couple has never been married in the Catholic Church;
- Declaration of nullity for any previous marriage in the case of divorce (process conducted by an ecclesiastical tribunal of the Catholic Church for the new marriage to be valid) or Death Certificate, proving the end of any previous marriage, if one or both parties have been married before.
NOTE: This documentation must be sent by the couple’s home diocese to the Diocese of Funchal, which will then forward it to the parish church where the wedding will take place. All documents must have been issued within the past six months and be duly certified by the consulate/embassy of your home country in Portugal and translated into Portuguese. Please note, however, that these requirements may change at any time. To ensure nothing is overlooked, we recommend consulting one of our local wedding planners. The process should be initiated at least six weeks before the planned wedding date.
Civil Wedding
Documents:
- Passport or Residence Permit;
- Legalised Birth Certificate, translated into Portuguese;
- Certificate of No Impediment (if issued by your home country or obtained with consular support);
- Prenuptial agreement certificate, if signed by the couple;
- Divorce decree or death certificate proving the end of any previous marriage, if one or both of the couple have already been married in the civil registry.
NOTE: Under current legislation, anyone can get married in Portugal, regardless of nationality, sexual orientation, or country of residence, as long as there are no legal impediments. In addition to the documents mentioned, it is essential to check with the authorities in your country of origin for specific requirements for holding a wedding in Madeira. Also, bear in mind that the above documentation may change at any time, so we recommend consulting one of our local wedding planners. The process should preferably start between one and three months in advance.
Other Religions
With a long tradition of hospitality and respect for different cultures and religions, Madeira is the ideal destination for couples of all backgrounds and beliefs to celebrate their 'happily ever after'. Here, you can enjoy an unforgettable wedding ceremony, where your religious beliefs and traditions will always be honoured. However, to ensure that everything goes smoothly, we recommend contacting your religious institution directly or one of our experienced wedding planners to help guide you through the formal requirements.
