Catholic Wedding Documentation in Spain: Complete Guide for All Couples

Planning a wedding is exciting, but the paperwork can feel like navigating a maze, especially for a Catholic wedding. Don't worry, we're here to guide you step by step. Think of us as that older sister who's been through this before and is going to share all the secrets to make your journey to the altar as smooth as possible.

In this complete guide, we'll explain all the documentation you need, whether you're both Spanish citizens or if one or both of you are foreigners. By the time you finish reading, you'll have a clear understanding of what papers you need, where to get them, and how to avoid the most common problems. Take a deep breath, let's begin!

Documentation if you're both Spanish citizens

If you both have Spanish nationality, the process is fairly straightforward. Most documents can be obtained from your parish or the Civil Registry of your locality. Let's go through them one by one!

Birth Certificate

This document certifies your place and date of birth.

• Where to get it? At the Civil Registry of the locality where you were born. You can request it in person or, in many cases, through the electronic headquarters of the Ministry of Justice.
• Validity: Make sure it has a recent issue date, normally no more than six months before starting the matrimonial file.

Baptism Certificate

This is the document that proves you have received the sacrament of Baptism. It's essential for a church wedding.

• Where to get it? At the parish where you were baptized. Simply call or go in person to request it.
• Validity: Like the birth certificate, it must be recent (less than six months). It's important that the certificate indicates "for contracting marriage."

Confirmation Certificate

This document certifies that you have received the sacrament of Confirmation. Although not all dioceses require it mandatorily, it's highly recommended to have it.

• Where to get it? At the same parish where you were confirmed. If it was the same as your baptism, you can request both documents at once.

Certificate of Life and Civil Status

This official document certifies that you are alive and what your civil status is (single, widowed, or divorced).

• Where to get it? At the Civil Registry of your place of residence.

Residence Certificate

It proves where you have resided for the last two years. It's used to determine which parish corresponds to you for processing the file.

• Where to get it? At your local town hall. Most municipalities allow you to obtain it online.

DNI (National Identity Document)

You'll need a certified copy of your valid DNI. It's a simple procedure, but don't forget to check that they're not expired.

Statement or Matrimonial File

This is the heart of the process. It consists of an interview you'll have with the priest, separately and together with two witnesses (who cannot be direct relatives). The objective is to confirm that you're marrying freely and for love. For this interview, you'll need to bring all the previous documentation.

If you're also considering a civil ceremony, it's important to understand the differences in documentary requirements between both types of weddings.

Documentation if one or both of you are foreigners

If one or both of you don't have Spanish nationality, the process requires some additional steps, mainly related to document legalization. But don't panic! Here we explain everything.

Passport

You'll need a photocopy of your complete and valid passport.

Birth Certificate (apostilled or legalized)

Same as for Spanish citizens, but with an important nuance: it must be legalized.

• What is the Hague Apostille? If your country is part of the Hague Convention, you'll only need the certificate to carry the Apostille. It's a stamp that certifies the authenticity of the document for international use.
• What if my country isn't in the Convention? You'll need legalization through diplomatic channels. This involves several stamps: from the corresponding ministry in your country, from your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally, from the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country.

Baptism Certificate (legalized)

It must be requested from the parish where you were baptized and, very importantly, it must be legalized by the Bishop's office of that diocese. This step is crucial for the Church in Spain to accept it.

Certificate of Single Status or No Impediment

This document certifies that you don't have a current marriage in your country of origin.

• Where to get it? It depends on the country. Generally, it's requested from the civil registry, town hall, or through your country's consulate in Spain.
• Important: It must also be apostilled or legalized, and translated if it's not in Spanish.

Consular Registration

It's recommended that you register at your country's consulate in Spain. This facilitates many procedures and offers you consular protection.

Divorce Decree or Ecclesiastical Annulment (if applicable)

If you've been married before, you'll need the document that certifies the dissolution of the previous marriage. For the Church, only ecclesiastical annulment is valid. This document must be translated and legalized.

Matrimonial File for Foreigners

The process is similar, but the priest will pay special attention to the validity and legalization of foreign documents to ensure there is no impediment to the marriage.

Additional considerations that will save your life

Sworn Translations

Any document that is not in Spanish must be translated by a sworn translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A simple translation won't be valid.

Legalizations and Apostilles

As we've seen, this is a key step. The Hague Apostille greatly simplifies the process. Find out which procedure applies for your country of origin so you don't waste time.

Deadlines: don't leave it until the last minute!

Gathering all the documentation takes time, especially if you have to request papers from abroad. Our recommendation is to start the procedures at least one year before the wedding. The matrimonial file at the parish usually takes between 2 and 4 months to complete.

Once you have all your documentation in order, you can start planning other important aspects like choosing the appropriate protocol for your Catholic ceremony or thinking about traditional details like wedding arras and rings.

Common problems and how to solve them

• Expired documents: Most certificates are valid for 6 months. Check the dates carefully before submitting them.
• Name errors: Make sure your name and surnames are written exactly the same on all documents. A simple error can paralyze the process.
• Difficulty obtaining a document: If you have problems obtaining any papers from your country of origin, your consulate in Spain can be your best ally.

Where to get each document? A practical summary

• Civil documents (birth, certificate of life): Civil Registry or electronic headquarters of the Ministry of Justice.
• Religious documents (baptism, confirmation): The parish where you received the sacraments.
• Documents for foreigners: Consulate or embassy of your country in Spain, and the corresponding bodies in your country of origin.
• Legalizations and Apostilles: Competent bodies in the country of origin of the document.

Let us help you with the paperwork

We perfectly understand that this entire process can be overwhelming. Collecting documents, meeting deadlines, legalizing papers... it's a lot of work when you should be enjoying the preparations for your big day.

The good news is that you don't have to do it alone. At Wedded, we not only help you plan the wedding of your dreams, but we can also take care of all these bureaucratic procedures for you. Our team of experts will ensure that every document is in order and on time, so your only concern is saying "I do."