Below some useful information about how to get married in Greece. What are the procedures and what documents do you need to have.

How to get married
Under Greek law, Greeks and foreign nationals may be married in either civil or religious ceremonies. While there is no residence requirement for foreigners wishing to marry in Greece, they shoud be in possession of a residence permit or a tourist visa. This does not apply to EU nationals.

Civil Marriages
Couples wishing to marry must submit (in person) the documents listed below to their local municipality (dimarchio) or to the president of their community (proedros kinotitas) to apply for a marriage licence. Marriage licences are issued seven days after the application is submitted and are valid for six months. Civil ceremonies may be performed anywhere in Greece.

The couple must submit another application to the mayor or the president of the community in which they wish to be married. This official then sets the wedding date. Two witnesses, provided by the couple, must attend the wedding ceremony. One of the witnesses may act as an interpreter. Witnesses must present offical identification cards or passports.

Religious marriages
The documents listed below must be submitted to the priest who is to perform the ceremony. Foreigners also need to submit an official translation of their baptism certificate or another document showing they are of Orthodox Christian faith. If they are not, they will have to be baptised into the Orthodox Church. The priest will apply for and obtain the marriage licences.

The document required for the marriage licence

• A Greek ID card or a valid passport or other travel document.
• Cerified photocopy of both the bride's and groom's birth certificate with an official translation form the Grrek foreign ministry (if it is not in Greek).
• If applicable, a document verifiying the termination of a previous marriage (death certificate or final divorce papers) with an official translation (if it's not in Greek).
• Confirmation by the foreigner's consulate in Greece that there is no impediment to the marriage; for instance that there is no existing marriage an that neither party is under 18 years old.
• The wedding must be announced in a Greek daily, and a copy of the announcement must be submitted. It should be in Greek with names written in Greek characters. This is not neccessary in small towns.
• There is also a fee of 15 euros.

Registration of a marriage
All mariages, civil and religious, must be registered at the local vital statistcs office (lixiarchio) within 40 days of the ceremony.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
First Line: [to Toula] Gus Portokalos: You better get married soon.
You're starting to look... old!