Is it possible to get married in a Portuguese castle hotel?
Weddings in Portugal are quite lengthy affairs; stamina is the keyword. Any of the castle and palace hotels are well-equipped to host any sort of reception you wish.
Types of weddings in Portugal
Portuguese law recognizes both religious and civil marriages as legal. All marriages need authorization from the civil authorities. For religious marriages, documentary requirements from one’s religious denomination may be required as well. Marriages in the Catholic Church can include the civil ceremony. Allow several weeks to fulfill the paperwork requirements for both civil and church weddings.
Civil marriages
The Civil Registry (Conservatórias do Registo Civil) handle civil marriages. You must use the registry in the district where you claim residency. To marry in Portugal you must meet the following requirements:
- Proof of residency Either the bride or groom must be a resident of Portugal for 30 days before notice of the forthcoming wedding can be given. Foreign residents must produce a residence permit. Those with temporary residency must show a valid passport.
- This must be issued in the last six months (three months if marrying in the Azores).
- A certificate of “No Impediment” (Certificado de Capacidade Matrimonial). This can be issued by your embassy.
- Consular Certificate (US citizens) The embassy provides a certificate based on the US citizen’s registration at the consulate and a letter explaining that US birth certificates do not list previous marriages.
If married previously, you must provide proof of the termination of the marriage by either a divorce decree or death certificate.
All documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified by a Portuguese notary public. Embassies do not offer translation services but can provide a list of translators.
Catholic marriages
To marry in the Catholic Church you must provide the following documents:
- A letter from your parish priest, giving permission for the wedding to take place and stating that premarital classes were attended.
- A letter from the bishop of your parish, giving permission for the wedding to take place and certifying that no impediments exist.
- A prenuptial inquiry form. This is a questionnaire including personal and religious data that you fill out with your parish priest. It must have final signatures and seals from your local bishop.
- Certificates of baptism, first communion, and confirmation, also stamped by the local bishop.
- If either the bride or groom is not Catholic, you still need a document issued by the local bishop giving permission for the marriage to take place in a Portuguese Church
- In the event the Portuguese priest is unable to perform the civil portion of the marriage, you will have to do that separately and present the original civil wedding certificate.
All original copies must be sent to the Portuguese Curia.
Anglican churches in Portugal are not licensed to perform marriages. You must have the civil ceremony first.
Many people opt for symbolic wedding ceremonies or religious blessings.
Before leaving Portugal, you must stop by the Procuradoria Geral da República, Rua Escola Politecnica, No. 140, Lisboa, to have your Portuguese marriage documents certified. This is your proof of marriage once you leave the country.