Legal Marriage Information
Getting Legally Married in Ireland
Here in Ireland the Marriage Act requires that for a marriage to be considered a legal marriage, the ceremony must be solemnised (witnessed) by an authorised and registered person called a Registered Solemniser.
Solemnisers are Registered through the GRO by the approved organisation which they belong to. Typically in days of old, these organisations have been Churches and couples had two choices for marriage, a Church or the Registry Office.
The great thing for modern couples getting married in Ireland is there is now a mix of Secular, Interfaith and Mixed Faith organisations and solemnisers which really gives couples a great choice of the type of marriage ceremony they can have.
A Civil Ceremony in Ireland is led by a Civil Registrar and if you don’t want that or a Church wedding, where you have to follow the rules of a particular religion, you must book your own Celebrant/Solemniser who is legally registered with an organisation who believes the ceremony should be designed to suit the couple’s wishes
Who Can Marry You in Ireland?
Only a Celebrant who is duly authorised by the Office of Register General of Ireland and listed on the government “Register of Solemnisers” can conduct a legal marriage ceremony in Ireland. I am a Registered Solemniser and am duly authorised by the Office of Register General of Ireland to conduct legal marriage in the Republic of Ireland.
According to the Marriage Act there are 3 types of Marriages:
- Civil
- Religious
- Secular
I can conduct non-Religious ceremonies but I also have the freedom to include the couple’s beliefs what ever they may be. This means you can also have a secular humanist style ceremony without any spirituality. Or a Spiritual Ceremony incorporating elements from any faith, or you can have a Spiritual Ceremony with a Religious feel and prayers and mention God, Holy Spirit, The Divine in your ceremony as you wish.
Where can you be married in Ireland?
You can be married on land at any place which is generally open to the
public “without hindrance” and has an identifiable address, which means it must have a habitable building which is also open to the public and a postal
address.
This means there are many exciting options to explore for legal weddings. I partner with such venues for both alternative and budget weddings.
What is the legal process to be married in Ireland?
You must lodge a “Notification of Intention to Marry” (NOIM) with the HSE at least 3 months before your wedding date and no more than 12 months before. This must be done by booking an appointment with your choice of HSE office. For more info on this – click below button.
If you need anymore clarification on the process, please contact me directly. I would love to help you understand the process, in simple language and steps so it can be a seamless and enjoyable experience for both of you.
Each step we take together is one closer to your special day!