Documentation and legal requirements - Santorini
The information below is intended as a guide, as documentation and legal requirements change regularly. Please check with your Wedding Coordinator and with the relevant embassy before arranging your documentation.
Legal requirements
Minimum residency period prior to wedding: 7 days (excluding day of arrival, weekends and bank holidays) – your holiday must be a minimum of 2 weeks.
Witnesses required: 2. Witnesses must not be related to the bride or groom. Witnesses can be provided by the Wedding Planner.
Minimum Age: 18 (If under 18, see below).
Marriage Certificate issued in local language? Yes. This is usually issued one or two days after the ceremony although on occasion it has to be posted back to the UK which can take up to 12 weeks. The certificate can be translated into English on return.
Other requirements: You will be required to pay a tax of approximately €30 per couple once in resort.
Documentation requirements
The following documents must be obtained in the UK and sent to Sovereign no later than 12 weeks before departure. We need two photocopies of the following documents. All original documents must be taken to resort – photocopies of documents are not accepted in resort.
Full 10-year British passports? Yes
Birth certificates? Yes – full.
If never previously married:
Single status statutory declaration? No.
Certificate of No Impediment? Yes. A Certificate of No Impediment must be obtained from your local Registry Office in the UK for both the Bride and Groom (a joint one will not be accepted). This must be issued within 3 months of your return date.
If divorced: Decree Absolute. Bride must have been divorced for at least 300 days and must produce her previous marriage certificate in addition to her decree absolute.
If widowed: Spouse’s Death Certificate and previous Marriage Certificate
If adopted: Adoption Certificate and short Birth Certificate.
If name changed: Proof of deed poll. This is also required for divorcees or widows who have reverted back to their maiden name.
If under 18: Parental consent in the form of an affidavit or statutory declaration, stamped and signed by a solicitor.
Certification / Legalisation / Translation of all documents? Yes. Prior to departure, all documents (except passports) must first be sent and legalised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The documents must then be officially translated into Greek. All documents, including the translated copies, must be sent to the Greek Consulate in London to be stamped and legalised. This process can take up to 3 – 4 weeks. Charges will apply for these processes.
In Santorini you need to arrange final documentation and Marriage License applications. Costs for transport to and from the Town Hall will be incurred, payable locally.
