Malta Wedding

Welcome to our guide to getting married in Malta. Before you go into depth about the specifics for your wedding in Malta we have an article that we suggest you read first.

Getting Married Abroad - Overview

In Malta you could have a Civil Ceremony, Religious Ceremony or perhaps consider a Blessing.

Civil Ceremony

Civil Ceremonies are legally recognised in Malta. The local Registrar can perform the ceremony in the local Register Office or in a licensed venue such as a hotel, castle or Palace. Please check with the Marriage Registrar that your chosen venue is acceptable, upon which you can expect to pay an additional fee if you marry in a venue other than the local Register Office. The ceremony will be conducted in English, after which you have the opportunity to personalise your ceremony by having a short reading. You are required to have two witnesses present who are no less than eighteen years old.

Religious Ceremony

Malta is recognised as a Roman Catholic country with ninety-one percent of Maltese people belonging to the Roman Catholic religion, although Anglican Church weddings can be celebrated. Religious weddings are legally binding provided the couple comply with the requirements of the local Public Registry in Malta.

Catholic Church Wedding

Couples seeking to have a Roman Catholic wedding in Malta should contact the curia, the marriage section on 00356 21 245350 and ask to speak with Dun Tarcis Delicata with regards to the required paperwork.

The bride and groom should allow six months before their wedding date to prepare the required church documents. You should contact your local parish priest in the UK to obtain the following documents:

Pre-nuptial Investigation forms
Affidavits of Freedom to Marry for both bride and groom
Baptism and Confirmation Certificates (this can not be issued more than six months in advance)
Priest’s written statement that pre-marital instructions have been given
Permission by the Ordinary or his delegate for marriage for marriage to be celebrated outside his Diocese (in this case Malta)
Any required dispensations from the Diocese of the Catholic party
ises in the case of a mixed marriage (that the other non-Catholic part will not obstruct his/her future children from being brought up in the Catholic faith, if the Catholic spouse so wishes)

Once the documents have been completed they are then forwarded by your local parish to the Chancellory (or your Bishop’s administration offices). They are then checked and they forwarded onto the Maltese Curia (Archbishop’s administration). Here the documents will again be checked and finally be forwarded on to the local parish priest in Malta, who is to perform your wedding.

There will be an administration fee to pay, associated with the above process, and a contribution fee.

Restrictions

It is most unlikely that a couple will be allowed to have a Roman Catholic wedding if either party have been previously divorced. However you may still wish to ask
Dun Tarcis Delicata will regards to the possibility.

Anglican Church Weddings

One or both parties must be baptised Anglican if you wish to have an Anglican wedding. Please contact the Senior Chaplain Revd Tom Mendel on 00356 21225714 for further details.

Religious Blessing

You may want to consider a religious blessing, bear in mind the ceremony will not be legally binding so you may want to have a Civil Wedding in the UK before you fly out to Malta. This option is popular with partners where one or both have been previously divorced.

Whatever type of religious ceremony you opt for there are officiates who are able to perform the wedding ceremony in English, however if your ceremony is conducted in Maltese you should arrange to have an interpreter present if neither of you speak Maltese.

Residency Stay

There is no residence requirement however couples are required to visit the Marriage Registry in Valletta to finalise the paperwork before their wedding day, so it may be advisable to fly out 2-3 days earlier. You will both need to have your passports with you.

Certificate of No Impediment

First both marrying parties must apply for a Certificate of No Impediment from their local Register Office in the UK. This process takes 21 days, during which time banns will be published in the register officer. Provided there are no queries arising from your application you will be given a Certificate of No Impediment. The certificate will be valid for 3 months from the date of issue.

Basic Documentation

If you intend to marry in Malta you will need the following documentation:

A copy of the full birth certificate for both the bride and groom authenticated by a solicitor (lawyer or notary). You are also required to bring the original full birth certificate with you to Malta. Under Maltese Law the original birth certificate along with all the other completed legal documentation must remain in Malta. You can obtain a copy of your full birth certificate from your local registry office in the UK for a small fee. It would be wise to do this before you hand over your original in Malta.
A copy of valid passports for both the bride and groom authenticated by a solicitor.
A photo copy of valid passports of two witnesses.
An affidavits / statutory declaration confirming single status also know as a Certificate of Celibacy.
If previously married, a copy of the Certificate for your first marriage authenticated by a solicitor which should then be accompanied by a copy of the Decree of Absolute authenticated by a solicitor.
If widowed a copy of a spouses death certificate and a copy of the previous marriage certificate must be authenticated by a solicitor.
An Affidavit by 3rd person drawn up in the presence of a solicitor, stating that since the death of former spouse / date of divorce, one did not re-marry (if applicable).
If you have changed your name by Deed Poll or you were adapted, proof is required which then must be authenticated by a solicitor.
Parent consent required in the form of Statutory Declaration/affidavit authenticated by a solicitor.
Complete form RZ1 certificate (Application Form), which does not need to be authenticated by a solicitor.
Complete RZ2 certificate (Declaration Form). The bride and groom must each complete a separate form, both of which need then be authenticated by a solicitor

All the basic documentation with the exception of the (originals) should be forwarded to the Marriage Registry in Malta not less than 7 weeks prior to the wedding day, but not more 3 months.

If you are having a Church wedding you will also need to provide the Marriage Registry with the following information:

The date of the wedding.
The church where the marriage is to be performed.
The name of the priest or minister who is the perform the ceremony.
The name which the bride will be using after she is married (either her maiden name of her husbands name).

Marriage Certificate

You must apply for your Marriage Certificate at the Civil Status Section, Public Registry, in Valletta. For a fee you can obtain a full copy of the original Act of Marriage. Please contact the Civil Status Section in advance so they can advise you on the necessary paperwork.

Although your marriage in Malta is legally binding, you will not be able to register it back in the UK. This however in no way makes your marriage invalid.

For further information contact:

Malta High Commission

Malta House
36-38 Piccadilly
London W1V 0PQ
Tel: 0207 292 4800

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London

Tel: 0207 270 1500

Marriage Registry Office

197 Merchants Street
Valletta
Tel : (356) 2122 1775
Fax : (356) 2122 8247
E-mail : pubreg.marriage@gov.mt
Website: Malta Marriage Registry

Civil Status Section,
Public Registry,
26 Old Treasury Street,
Valletta

For details on Church weddings, contact:

Curia Marriages Office

P.O. Box 29
Valletta VLT 01
Tel: 00356 21 245350
Fax: 00356 21 242971

For details on Anglican Church weddings, contact:

Senior Chaplain Revd Tom Mendel

Assistant Chaplain Revd Peter Wolfenden
Chaplaincy Office
St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral
Independence Square
Valletta VLT 12
Malta
Tel: 00356 21225714
Fax: 00356 21225867
Website: Anglican Chaplaincy in Malta and Gozo
Email: anglican@onvol.net

For more information in the Maltese Islands visit Malta Tourist Office

IMPORTANT

Whilst every effort to ensure that the above information is correct, it may be subject to change at any time. Please always check with the official authorities before proceeding. If you notice some outdated information please let us know.