Getting Married in Gibraltar
Gibraltar is one of Europe’s most popular wedding destinations, and for good reason, the simplicity. The legal process is straightforward, with both residents and non-residents able to marry or form a civil partnership under a Special Licence.
Your wedding essentially comes down to three steps: gather your documents, meet us in Gibraltar the day before, and get married. We’ll guide you through every detail.
Step 1: Prepare Your Documents
Before you travel, you’ll need to gather the paperwork the Registrar requires. All documents must be originals. Scanned copies, photocopies, and laminated certificates are not accepted. If you can’t provide the original, you’ll need a certified true copy bearing the seal of the issuing registry or court.
Documents everyone needs
- Valid passport or national ID card
- Full “long form” birth certificate showing your parents’ names (or adoption certificate)
- Proof of legal residence in your country (e.g. UK Residence Permit, EU ID card)
Additional documents by status
| Your Status | What You Need |
| Single | No additional documents needed. |
| Divorced | Final Divorce Decree or Certificate of Annulment (original court-stamped copy). Women: previous marriage certificate(s) to confirm your name history from birth to present. |
| Widowed | Previous marriage or civil partnership certificate. Death certificate of your late spouse or civil partner. |
| Changed name | Official evidence of name change (e.g. Deed Poll or Court Order). |
Translations
Any document that is not in English must be accompanied by an officially certified translation. The translation must confirm that it is a true and accurate translation of the original document and should include the following:
- A certification statement confirming the accuracy of the translation
- Translator’s full name, signature and contact details
- The date of certification
We can arrange a local court-approved translator for you.
Step 2: Meet Us the Day Before
You’ll need to be in Gibraltar one working day before your ceremony. We’ll meet you at our office at 5 Convent Place and take care of the legal formalities together.
What happens at the meeting
- We review your wedding details and complete the required affidavits
- Your original documents are submitted to the Registry Office
- You visit a Notary Public to sign a “No Impediment Affidavit” (confirming you’re free to marry)
Documents must be submitted by the morning of the working day before your ceremony (at the time given by the Registry Office). They can also be submitted up to 3 months in advance.
Please bring all original documents with you. Your wedding will not go ahead without them.
Proof of stay
The Registrar requires proof that you’re spending at least one night in Gibraltar (the night before or after your ceremony). Any of the following will work:
- Proof of stay letter from Hotel or Airbnb confirming the couple’s stay, including their full name and confirmation of payment
- A statement from a Gibraltar resident confirming you’re staying as their guest (including their address)
Visas
Non-EEA nationals may need a visa to enter Gibraltar. Check your requirements at gibraltarborder.gi/visa. Please note we are unable to assist with entry requirements.
Step 3: Your Wedding Day
Arrive at your venue at least 15 minutes before the ceremony with your passport or ID. The Registrar will brief you on the order of service and ask you to check the marriage register for accuracy.
The ceremony
- Conducted in English, approximately 30 minutes in total
- Includes the legal declarations and signing of the register
- You may exchange rings and include readings or poems (submitted to the Registrar for approval beforehand – no religious content)
- If either of you doesn’t speak English, you must provide a certified interpreter. The Registrar will not proceed unless both parties fully understand the declarations. We can arrange an interpreter for you.
Witnesses
You need two witnesses aged 18 or over who speak English. They can be friends, family, or colleagues. If you need us to provide witnesses, we’re happy to arrange this for a small fee.
After Your Wedding
Your official Gibraltar marriage certificate will be sent by registered post directly from the Registry Office. It typically arrives within 4–5 weeks. The certificate is issued in English with Spanish and French translations included.
Need immediate proof? You can request a Confirmation Letter on your wedding day for an additional fee. This serves as temporary proof of marriage (useful for visa applications, for example) while you wait for the official certificate. It does not replace the full marriage certificate.
Apostille: If you reside outside the UK, we recommend obtaining an Apostille stamp on your certificate for international recognition. We can arrange this for you.
Good to Know
- All Registry Office fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, including in cases where documents are incorrect or a ceremony is cancelled.
- The Registrar may, at their discretion, request additional documents beyond those listed above.
- Delays of more than 10 minutes may result in your ceremony being postponed until the Registrar is next available.
Quick Links
Hour Weddings
5 Convent Place, Gibraltar
Tel: +350 200 71335 | WhatsApp: +350 5800 9685
Email: info@hourweddings.com
Civil Status & Registration Office
Email: marriages.diha@gibraltar.gov.gi | Tel: +350 200 60247
Borders & Coastguard Agency
Winston Churchill Avenue, Gibraltar GX11 1AA
Tel: +350 200 65465 | Email: visas.diha@gibraltar.gov.gi
www.gibraltarborder.gi/visa