What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in Spain?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in Spain, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in Spain?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage whether the rules in Spain allow you to marry there as a Dutch national.
The rules for getting married in Spain vary by region. Ask the civil status records office (Registro Civil) or court (juzgado) in the place where you live what rules apply to you.
You and/or your partner must live in Spain. If neither you nor your partner live in Spain, you cannot get married in Spain.
Same-sex couples can get married in Spain.
You cannot get married at the Dutch embassy.
Requirements for getting married for Dutch nationals
If you are a Dutch national and you want to marry, you must meet the following requirements:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. If you are under 18 and you marry abroad, the Dutch authorities will not recognise your marriage until you and your partner are both 18.
- You and your partner must not already be married to or have a registered partnership with someone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you will need the permission of your guardian or of the limited jurisdiction judge (‘kantonrechter’).
- The following family members are not allowed to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other: parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
What documents do I need to marry in Spain?
The documents you need vary by region. Ask the civil status records office (Registro Civil) or court (juzgado) in the place where you live what documents you need.
In most places you will need at least the following documents:
A certificate of legal capacity to marry shows that you and your partner are legally allowed to marry. To get this certificate, you will need to submit a number of other documents.
A declaration of marital status shows that you are unmarried. To get this document, you will need to submit a number of other documents.
More information about applying for a declaration of marital status
You can get a multilingual copy of your birth certificate from the municipality where you were born. Some regions will ask you and your partner for an acta literal de nacimiento. Other regions will also accept an international certficate (extracto de nacimiento).
More information about having Dutch documents legalised for use abroad
To get married in Spain you will need a valid passport or ID card. You can also use a copy.
You and/or your partner must live in Spain. You can get proof of residence from the municipal office in the place where you live. You will need valid proof of identity to do this.
If you are divorced, you will need an official copy of your divorce certificate. You must have the document translated.
More information about having Dutch documents legalised for use abroad
If you are a widow or widower, you will need an official (multilingual) copy of your deceased spouse’s death certificate.
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in Spain are recognised in the Netherlands.
Do I have to register my marriage in the Netherlands?
You may need to register your marriage in the Netherlands. This depends on where you live.
If you live in the Netherlands, you must register your marriage with your municipality. You will need an international marriage certificate (certificado de matrimonio plurilingüe) to do this. You can get this document from the civil status records office (Registro Civil).
If you live outside the Netherlands, you can have your marriage certificate converted into a Dutch certificate by the municipality of The Hague. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful if you ever need an extract in the future.
More information about registering a foreign marriage certificate in the Netherlands