MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS TO GET MARRIED IN MALTA

The Maltese wedding license is legally recognised in UK, Ireland, Europe, USA, Australia and all other countries.

The Marriage Registry regulates all weddings celebrated throughout the Maltese islands, whether religious or civil. The Marriage Registry also registers weddings taking place abroad on the occasion that either of the spouses is a Maltese citizen.

The Law - Marriages in Malta are subject to the provisions of the Marriage Act, 1975, which became effective on the 12th August 1975.

The minimum age permitted by the Laws of Malta for a person to get married is sixteen years old. In the case where a person is over sixteen years of age, but younger than eighteen, the parents have to provide written approval of this wedding. The parents will be asked to provide their identity cards.

Capacity to marry - Finally, may we draw your attention to Section 18 of the Marriage Act, 1975, which states that:

A marriage, whether celebrated in Malta or abroad, shall be valid for all purposes of law in Malta if:

(a) as regards the formalities thereof, the formalities required for its validity by the law of the country where the marriage is celebrated are observed;

(b) as regards the capacity of the parties, each of the persons to be married is, by law of his or her respective domicile, capable of contracting marriage.

Because of this Section of the law, may we remind you that, should it be necessary to comply with any marriage laws in order that your marriage may also conform to the laws of your country of domicile, it is your responsibility to take care of such requirements.

The full requirements and guideline will be emailed to you once the wedding is confirmed

One should note that in Malta the Law does not provide for marriage by Special Licence. The above mentioned nine-weeks period is reduced in special circumstances only. It is in the discretion of the Marriage Registrar whether or not to accept the reason for a late application. The fact that a couple is applying from abroad is not in itself a good enough reason for the Registrar to reduce the nine-week period. Before the request is made, ensure that you have a confirmed date and time for your wedding. If, for any reason, the venue for the wedding needs to be changed, advise us no less than three weeks in advance.

Your partner and you have to declare on oath, on the same day, that there are no legal bindings or any other reasons to keep you from getting married. The bride will also be asked whether, once married, she would like to keep using her maiden surname or use her husband’s. The bride must be certain of her decision, as the law does not permit changes.

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