Getting Married in Portugal as a Foreigner – Legal Support & Full Assistance

Foreigners can legally marry in Portugal through either a civil ceremony or a religious ceremony with civil effect, and no residency permit is required. Whether you are tourists, non-residents, or living abroad, Portugal allows marriage as long as you complete the preliminary marriage process with the Portuguese Civil Registry and submit the correct legal documents.

However, while the law is welcoming, the paperwork is strict, time-sensitive, and varies by nationality. Missing apostilles, incorrect certificates, or wrong translations can delay or block your wedding date. This is where professional legal support makes all the difference.

⇒ Order professional legal support now and avoid costly delays or rejections.

Basic Legal Conditions to Marry in Portugal

To legally marry in Portugal, both partners must:

• Be at least 18 years old (exceptions apply only with special consent)

• Be legally free to marry (single, divorced, or widowed)

• Have no legal impediments under Portuguese law

Portugal allows:

• Two foreigners marrying in Portugal

• A foreigner marrying a Portuguese citizen

• Residents and non-residents (tourists included)

Types of Legal Marriage in Portugal

Civil Marriage

A civil marriage is performed by the Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry Office), either:

• At the registry office, or

• At an approved external venue (hotel, estate, or wedding location)

Religious Marriage with Civil Effect

A religious ceremony (for example, Catholic) becomes legally valid once:

• The church submits the marriage documentation to the Civil Registry

• The marriage is officially registered in Portugal

⚠️ Without Civil Registry registration, the marriage is not legally valid, even if the ceremony took place.

Documents Foreigners Usually Need

Exact requirements depend on nationality and registry office, but typically include:

• Valid passport or residence card

• Full birth certificate (recent issue, usually within 6 months)

• Certificate of No Impediment / Certificate of Capacity to Marry (or equivalent affidavit)

• Divorce decree or death certificate, if applicable

• Proof of Portuguese residence (only if applicable)

• Certified Portuguese translations of all foreign documents

• Apostille or consular legalisation, where required

If one partner does not speak Portuguese, a certified interpreter must attend the civil ceremony.

⇒ Our legal support service checks, prepares, legalises, and submits everything correctly for your nationality.

Step-by-Step Legal Marriage Process in Portugal

1. Document Preparation Abroad

• Request recent civil documents

• Obtain apostilles or consular legalisation

• Arrange certified Portuguese translations

2. Open the Preliminary Marriage Process

• Submit documents to the Portuguese Civil Registry

• File official forms (MP1 / MP2 for foreigners)

• Pay registry fees

• Can be done via legal representative (you do not need to be in Portugal)

3. Registry Analysis & Approval

• The Civil Registry reviews documents

• Confirms no legal impediments

• Typical timeframe: 4–6 weeks

4. Ceremony Scheduling

• Choose ceremony date and location

• Provide witnesses if required

• Interpreter arranged if necessary

5. Marriage Registration & Certificate

• Marriage is officially recorded

• Portuguese marriage certificate is issued

• Apostille available if the marriage must be recognised abroad

Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) – What You Need to Know

A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or equivalent affidavit is issued by your home country, not Portugal.

Examples:

• UK citizens: CNI issued by UK register office, apostilled, translated

• US citizens: Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry issued at the US Embassy in Lisbon

• Australian citizens: CNI via Australian Embassy in Lisbon

⚠️ Rules change frequently, and some nationalities have exceptions.

⇒ We verify exactly what your nationality requires and handle the process for you.

Apostilles & Official Translations – Common Mistakes

Most foreign documents must be:

• Apostilled (Hague Convention countries), or

• Consular-legalised (non-Hague countries)

• Officially translated into Portuguese

Mistakes in apostilles or uncertified translations are the #1 reason for registry delays.

⇒ Our legal team ensures every document is accepted the first time.

Why Order Legal Support for Marriage in Portugal?

✔ Nationality-specific document checklist
✔ Coordination with Civil Registry offices
✔ Apostille & translation guidance
✔ Legal representation for preliminary process
✔ Time-saving and stress-free
✔ Avoid rejected documents or postponed weddings

Whether you are planning a destination wedding, elopement, or symbolic celebration with legal registration, professional legal support protects your wedding date.

Order Legal Support for Your Marriage in Portugal

Planning a wedding abroad is exciting — but legal mistakes can be expensive and heartbreaking.

⇒ Order professional legal marriage support now

Contact us today to start your preliminary marriage process with confidence.

How we can help

Our Legal Document Checking Team will verify and certify that your documents are in order before you send them to Portugal through courier; nonetheless, it is the responsibility of the couple to guarantee that you have all of the necessary paperwork on time. It is critical to perform your homework and ensure that all information provided in official papers is correct and up to date. Legal papers and delivery fees are not included in our wedding packages.

To summarize, many couples prefer to marry legally in their home country and have a blessing conducted in the Algarve. This means that all documentation is completed in the country of origin, where the laws are more acquainted and the procedures may be speedier. The major event takes place here in the Algarve after the couple has officially married in their home country. Consider whether this is the best solution for you.
Whatever you pick, we are here to help you plan and organize your wedding, as well as answer any of your concerns, so that everything runs smoothly and without stress. So don’t be worried! We are here to help you.