Legalities in regard to paperwork in another country are frustrating at the least and nightmarishly horrifying at their worst. I strongly recommend that if you are not hiring a wedding planner to help you with this, then do all the research to ensure that you will have all the proper documents in order to enjoy this amazing day as you should. Each municipality has its own particular specifics and manner in which it handles this process. 

Where do you begin? 

Visit, email or call your local City Hall and ask about the paperwork involved in having a wedding in Greece. Ask them to email you the list of documents that you will need in case you forget or misinterpret something that was said. You might have to visit the consulate office in your area as well.

Following this, you must contact the municipality where you intend to marry and also ask them what documents they require as well. Request an email of the list of requirements and be pushy if you must. Having them make a list will require that they take full responsibility for the information they send you and it will ensure that nothing gets misinterpreted.

Arrange your travel itinerary.

Contrary to what was done in the past you no longer need to publish your wedding in a newspaper. Also, there is no need to be in Greece for a certain period of time prior to your wedding date. I do however advise that you arrive at least one week prior in order to properly meet with your vendors or planner and just have a quick rehearsal of the day.

Please keep in mind that following your civil wedding ceremony, you will have to book an appointment with the city hall to register your wedding in Greece before your departure.

Download this free PDF on Civil Ceremony Requirements in Greece.

I have created a free document that I am happy to share with you here. Please keep in mind that laws are changing in regard to paperwork in Europe as well as internationally. Always speak to someone who is well-informed and mention your particular situation. If you are divorced or have ever changed your name in the past for any reason you will need additional paperwork.

Once you arrive back home there might be a few steps that you will need to take care of such as registering your wedding at your local city hall and perhaps changing your last name if you wish to do so. In Greece, the last name of the bride does not change. 

Also, you might need to renew your passport, change your driving license and vehicle registration document, inform your bank, mortgage provider, credit card companies, utility companies, and more.

Don’t be afraid to ask!

I hope that I have been helpful and answered some of your questions regarding civil weddings in Greece. Also, keep in mind that you can always just sign the papers at the city hall and still have your symbolic ceremony on the beach or wherever you wish it to be!  Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have concerns about your particular situation, I am happy to help and advise you.