Legal Weddings in Ireland
Where to start?

This is the most common question I get asked by couples who just don't know where to start the process.

Once you have got your date confirmed as outlined and have booked me with the €90 deposit (all that's due till 60 days before your ceremony) we start the process of creating your ceremony script together.
I pass on the login details for the couples section of my site and there you will find sample ceremonies and elements to help you start the process. When we chat on zoom I run through a typical ceremony explaining the elements then send you on your first draft for you to customise and change as you wish.
 
If it's a legal ceremony you want then the following is the normal sequence of things to start your planning.
 

• Choose a Date - Think about what day of the week works for your plans, most venues weekend dates are booked out first so it's never too soon to decide the date for your big day. Currently lots of weddings are happening on any day of the week so you are not tied to the traditional Fri or Sat dates.

 

• Pick your venue - Getting the venue you want is the first big hurdle for most couples. As a Legal Solemniser I can sign your Marriage Registration Book ( The Green Folder ) for you on the Day of your Wedding but you need to have completed the steps below to get things moving with the HSE on the Legal side.

 
What do I need to have for the HSE?
 
Before you start the Process with the HSE you will need some details ready - Your Date, venue, Solemniser and Witnesses details for starters.
 
It can be difficult to get an appointment depending on where you are located, Dublin is quite busy for example, so you may need to go outside your county to find a date for your meeting that's available always phone the Office as they may be able to fit you in - Click [Here] to get the details for the offices countrywide,
 
​Remember you need to give a minimum of 3 months notification (but the sooner you start the better you can start up to 1 year before your date) unless in exceptional circumstances where you can get an exemption from the Court Clerk's Office.

If you are abroad you can start the process by email by calling the office and they will send on the forms but you will need to appear in person at least 5 Days before your Ceremony date so allow for that in travel plans.
 
                             Link here to -    [ Book your HSE appointment Online ]
 
Here is the HSE Checklist.
 

• What to bring to the notification appointment

• Bring a valid photo ID and a photocopy of the photo page of one of the following:

• passport

• refugee card/asylum card issued by the Department of Justice and Equality

• national identity card from an EU country that accepts national identity cards as a travel document
   

• You will also need:
   

• the original and photocopy of your birth certificates

• proof of address - original and photocopy dated within last 3 months

• your PPS numbers

• If your documents are not in English or Irish you must provide translations.
   

• Ceremony details
   

• You need to provide the following information about your ceremony:

• the type of ceremony (civil, religious or secular) - (Secular for me)

• name and address of the proposed venue

• name of registered Solemniser

• Check your Solemniser is on the list! (I am down near the end of the file with the other Humanist Association Celebrants currently 4 pages from the End) -

• [Check Here]

• name and date of birth of both witnesses aged 18 or older

• You can change the Witness on the day of the ceremony if needed there is a space on page two for amendments.
   

• If you are divorced

• You will need an original or certified copy, and photocopy, of your divorce decree. If there is a stay order on the divorce decree, bring this too.

• Contact the civil registration service for advice if you divorced in another country.
   

• Widow, widower or surviving civil partner

• If you are a widow or widower, you will need the original and photocopy of any:

• civil marriage certificates

• civil death certificate of the spouse or civil partner who has died
   

• If you are a surviving civil partner you will need the:

• original and photocopy of any civil partnership certificates

• original and photocopy of any civil death certificate of late civil partners
   

• In a civil partnership

• If you are in a civil partnership registered in the Irish state, contact a civil registration service if you want to get married.

• If you are in a civil partnership registered in the Irish state, bring the original and a photocopy of the civil partnership certificate.
   

• Previous civil partnership

• If you have a civil partnership dissolution, you will need the final decree of dissolution.
   

• If you have a civil annulment

• You will need the:

• original and photocopy of the civil annulment court order

• court letter and photocopy confirming that an appeal has not been lodged against the nullity order
   

• Not a citizen of Ireland or an EU member state

• If either of you is not a citizen of Ireland or an EU member state, you will need to confirm your immigration status.
   

• Bring one of the following:

• Original letter from the Department of Justice and Equality confirming your immigration status

• refuge or asylum card from the Department of Justice and Equality

• immigration visa or stamp or Irish residency permit

• passport - if you are a UK citizen
   

• You may need to attend an interview and the marriage appointment.

• The interview is held in English or Irish. You must provide an interpreter if you want to speak another language at the interview.

• You will also need to do this at the ceremony.

• Interpreters must be from an independent verifiable translation or interpretation service.
   

• What to do next?
   

• Once you have your "Green Folder" you bring that with you on your wedding day and give it to your Celebrant before the ceremony starts.
   

• Then during the ceremony the following happens

• You both sign the MRF on the indicated lines (Party one and Party two)

• The two witnesses sign on the appropriate lines
   

• What if I need to change some details?

• There is a space on page 2 of the MRF to allow changes of Date / Venue / Solemniser and Witnesses.
  Anyone over 18 can be a legal witness.
   

• After the ceremony you have 30 days to bring the form back to the registry office and hand it in.

• Then you can get a copy of your marriage certificate in person or online.

• Link - https://www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/order/marriage-certificate/ 

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Please note - Returning the MRF form back to the HSE is the couples responsibility not the Celebrant!

Make sure you keep track of it after the ceremony I recommend having it dropped back to your room or kept somewhere safe!

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Disclaimer - I do my best to ensure this information is kept up to date but check with the HSE for any changes or additional requirements - Visit The HSE main page here - www2.hse.ie/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/getting-married/how/

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More info -