Portugal is an increasingly popular destination for weddings, offering a stunning array of venues, landscapes, and traditions to make your special day unforgettable. However, planning a destination wedding in Portugal can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the country’s legal requirements for getting married.

As a team of wedding photographers in Portugal. We have dealt with all types of ceremonies. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps involved in legally getting married in Portugal, as a foreigner, so you can plan your dream wedding with confidence and peace of mind. From obtaining the necessary documentation and getting it certified, we will provide you with all the information you need to create a magical and legally recognized wedding experience in Portugal.

1. Obtain the necessary documentation: The document you need is a certificate of no impediment. To obtain a certificate of no impediment, you will need to contact the embassy or consulate of your country of origin or residence in Portugal. The certificate is a declaration that there are no impediments to your marriage, such as already being married or being closely related to your partner. You will also need to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate and a valid passport. It’s important to note that the specific documents required may vary depending on your nationality and country of origin.
   
2. Translate and legalize the documents: Once you have obtained the necessary documentation, you will need to have them translated into Portuguese by a certified translator. The translated documents will then need to be legalized by the Portuguese consulate in your country of origin or residence. Legalization is a process that verifies the authenticity of the documents and confirms that they are recognized as valid by the Portuguese authorities.
   
3. Make an appointment with a Civil Registry Office: To schedule an appointment with a Civil Registry Office, you will need to contact the office directly or work with a local wedding planner. The appointment should be scheduled well in advance of your planned wedding date, as the process can take several weeks to complete.
   
4. Attend the appointment: At the appointment, you and your partner will need to present your documentation and fill out the necessary paperwork. You may also be asked to provide additional information, such as your address in Portugal, your occupation, and your marital status.
   
5. Pay the fees: There is a fee for registering your marriage in Portugal, which will need to be paid at the time of your appointment. The fee may vary depending on the location of the Civil Registry Office and other factors.
   
6. Wait for the publication of the marriage banns: After your appointment, the Civil Registry Office will publish the marriage banns for a period of 10 days. This is a public announcement of your intention to marry and gives any interested parties the opportunity to object to the marriage. If no objections are raised during this time, you can proceed with your wedding.
   
7. Get married: After the 10-day period has passed and there are no objections, you can get married. You can choose to have the ceremony at the Civil Registry Office or at another location of your choice. It’s important to note that you will need to have at least two witnesses present at the ceremony.

In summary, getting legally married in Portugal as a foreigner involves obtaining the necessary documentation, translating and legalizing the documents, scheduling an appointment with a Civil Registry Office, attending the appointment, paying the registration fee, waiting for the publication of the marriage banns, and finally getting married. The process can take several weeks to complete, so it’s important to plan ahead and work with local experts to ensure a smooth and successful wedding.

If you would like some advice on planning your destination wedding in Portugal, then you can contact our team today.