Spanish Marriage Certificate

The Marriage Certificate is an official document that certifies the act of marriage between two people, detailing information such as the date, place, and details of the spouses. This certificate is essential for a wide variety of legal and administrative procedures, such as changing marital status, processing inheritances, applying for nationality, and registering children.

The Marriage Certificate is a document issued by the Civil Registry that officially certifies that two people are married. It contains essential information about the marriage, such as the full names of the spouses, the date and place where the wedding took place, and in some cases, mentions the economic regime of the marriage (separation of assets or community property).

This certificate is indispensable for certain civil and administrative procedures and can be requested at different points in life, for example, to handle separation or divorce, access widowhood benefits, or manage inheritances.

Types of Marriage Certificates

There are various types of Marriage Certificates, and the type of certificate you need will depend on the intended use. Here are the most common types:

1. Literal Marriage Certificate
   This is the most complete type of certificate, as it includes a full copy of all data recorded in the Civil Registry about the marriage. It contains details about the spouses, the place and date of the wedding, and the economic regime. This certificate is often necessary for most legal procedures.
2. Extract of Marriage Certificate
   The extract is a summary of the most important data about the marriage and can be requested in the following formats:
   • Ordinary: In Spanish.
   • Bilingual: In Spanish and the official language of the corresponding autonomous community.
   • International or Multilingual: Drafted in several languages and valid in countries that are signatories to the Vienna Convention.
3. Negative Marriage Certificate
   This certificate confirms that there is no marriage record in the consulted Civil Registry under a specific person's name.

What Is the Marriage Certificate For?

The Marriage Certificate is required for numerous legal and administrative procedures. Some of the most common are:

• Change of marital status: It is necessary to update marital status on the ID card, passport, and other official documents.
• Divorce or separation processing: It is an essential document in divorce or legal separation processes.
• Nationality or residency application: Spouses of Spanish citizens or residents may need the Marriage Certificate to apply for nationality or residence permits.
• Joint children registration: To register children born within the marriage in the Civil Registry, the Marriage Certificate must be presented.
• Access to benefits or pensions: In case of widowhood or disability, the spouse may need the Marriage Certificate to apply for benefits or pensions.
• Inheritance processing: In cases where one of the spouses has passed away, this certificate is essential for managing inheritances and assets.

How to Request the Marriage Certificate?

There are various ways to request the Marriage Certificate in Spain, depending on your preferences and the availability of services in your area. Here are the most common options:

Online Request

You can request the certificate through the Ministry of Justice, either on its website or by visiting one of its offices. For greater convenience and security in the process, we recommend doing it through a specialised company such as RegistroCivil.es. In this case, follow the steps below:

1. Access the form on RegistroCivil.es: (Access the marriage certificate form).
2. Complete the form with the required details (names of the spouses, date of the marriage, place of registration, etc.).
3. Choose the type of certificate and the format in which you want to receive it (electronic or paper).
4. Confirm the request and wait for the certificate, which may take between 1 and 2 weeks to arrive.

Who Can Request the Marriage Certificate?

Any adult with a legitimate interest may request another person's Marriage Certificate, provided it does not include sensitive information. However, in some cases, such as when the certificate contains details about the economic regime or marital agreements, it may be necessary to prove a legal relationship with the spouses or a direct interest in the process.

Cost of the Marriage Certificate

The Marriage Certificate is generally inexpensive, although additional fees may apply in some special cases, such as urgent requests or international procedures. It is recommended to check with the corresponding Civil Registry to confirm if any associated costs apply.

Delivery Time

The delivery time for the Marriage Certificate varies depending on how you request it:

• In-person: Delivery is usually immediate or within 1 to 3 working days.
• Online or by Post: The timeframe may be 1 to 2 weeks if requested online, and 2 to 4 weeks if by post.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it necessary to schedule an appointment to request the Marriage Certificate?
In many Civil Registry offices, especially in larger cities, it may be necessary to schedule an appointment to avoid long waiting times. We recommend checking with the corresponding registry.

2. Can I request the Marriage Certificate of a deceased person?
Yes, it is possible to request the Marriage Certificate of a deceased person. In some cases, it may be necessary to demonstrate a family or legal relationship to obtain it.

3. Can I request the Marriage Certificate if I was married abroad?
If you were married outside of Spain and the marriage was registered with the Civil Registry or a Spanish consulate, you can request the Marriage Certificate in Spain through the Ministry of Justice or by hiring an independent company to handle the process for you; we recommend RegistroCivil.es as a reliable platform with many years of experience in this sector.

Conclusion

The Marriage Certificate is an essential document for numerous procedures throughout life, from updating marital status to processing inheritances or applying for benefits. With several ways to request it, both in-person and online, this document is easy to obtain if the correct steps are followed. Ensure you have all necessary information and documents to avoid delays in the process.