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Registering a marriage in Spain

How a marriage performed in Spain gets registered, whether it's a civil ceremony or a religious one with civil effect.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-15The expediente matrimonial process commonly takes a few months, so it's worth starting well ahead of your planned ceremony date.

This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.

Overview

If you marry in Spain — whether in a civil ceremony or a religious one recognised as having civil effect — the marriage is registered with the Registro Civil covering the place of the ceremony, regardless of the nationality of either spouse.

Requirements

  • Applies to any marriage taking place in Spain, civil or religious with civil effect
  • Before the ceremony, an expediente matrimonial (a preliminary file confirming both parties are legally free to marry) must be completed with the Registro Civil or before a notary

Step-by-step process

  • Start the expediente matrimonial process before your ceremony date, submitting each party's identity and civil-status documents
  • If either party is foreign, provide a certificate of no impediment to marry (fe de soltería or equivalent) from their home country, apostilled and translated as needed
  • Attend any required interview as part of the expediente process
  • Once the expediente is approved, hold your ceremony (civil or religious with civil effect)
  • The officiant forwards the marriage record to the Registro Civil, which formally registers it

Required documents

  • Passports or NIE/DNI for both parties
  • Birth certificates for both parties, apostilled and translated if foreign
  • Certificate of no impediment to marry, apostilled and translated if issued abroad
  • Proof of address (empadronamiento)

Common mistakes

  • Starting the expediente matrimonial too close to the planned wedding date, given it commonly takes months to complete
  • Not apostilling and translating a foreign certificate of no impediment before submitting it

Practical tips

  • Requirements and processing times can vary between Registro Civil offices — confirm your specific office's current document list before you begin
  • Request several original marriage certificates once registered, since many later procedures (visas, name changes, tax filings) will ask for one

How Tuchati can help

Tuchati can help you understand what your specific nationality combination requires for the expediente matrimonial and keep the timeline on track.

Registering a marriage in Spain — Help Centre — Tuchati