How to Get Legally Married in Greece | A Real Guide for Foreign Couples
Many couples want their marriage to actually be legal in Greece, not just symbolic. That is a fair goal. But it comes with real paperwork. This guide breaks down exactly what you need, step by step. I wrote it after years of photographing weddings across Greece, working alongside couples who went through this process themselves.
Legal or Symbolic? Decide This First
Not every couple needs a legal ceremony in Greece. Many marry legally at home first, then celebrate symbolically here instead. I cover that choice in full in my guide to symbolic vs. legal ceremonies in Greece. This guide is for couples who want their actual marriage registered in Greece, so it focuses only on the legal route. If you are eloping rather than hosting a full wedding, my complete guide to eloping in Greece covers the rest of the planning process.
The Documents You Need
Requirements shift slightly by municipality. But most Greek registrars ask for the same core documents.
- Valid passports for both of you
- Birth certificates, usually less than six months old, with an apostille
- A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI), or your country’s equivalent
- Certified Greek translations of every document
- Proof of marital status, such as a decree absolute if either of you was married before
- Publication of your intent to marry in a local Greek newspaper, required in some municipalities
Confirm the exact list with the dimarchio (municipal office) handling your wedding before you start collecting anything. It saves a second trip to get one more stamp.
Americans, This Part Is for You
The United States has no single office that issues a Certificate of No Impediment. This catches a lot of American couples off guard.
Instead, you need an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry. You sign this in front of a US consular officer or a Greek notary. The nearest US Embassy or Consulate can help.
Book that appointment early. It is usually the longest lead time in the whole process.
The Process, Step by Step
- Gather your documents at home
- Get an apostille on each one
- Get certified Greek translations
- Submit everything to the local municipality or your consulate in Greece
- Wait out the public notice period, usually about a week
- Book your registrar and confirm your ceremony date
How Early to Start
Start at least two to three months before your wedding date. Some nationalities need longer.
If your home country is slow with apostilles, start even earlier. I always ask couples about their legal plans as soon as we begin working together, so nothing catches them by surprise later.
What It Costs
Expect to pay more than a symbolic ceremony. Certified translations, apostilles, and registrar fees add up.
Most couples budget an extra 1,000 to 3,000 euros on top of their symbolic-ceremony costs, depending on how many documents need translation.
Is a Greek Legal Marriage Valid Back Home?
Yes. A civil marriage properly registered in Greece is recognized in the US, the UK, Australia, and most other countries.
Greece is part of the Hague Apostille Convention. That is exactly why the apostille step matters so much.
Still, confirm the exact registration steps with your local registrar or a family lawyer once you are home. Rules do shift by country, and I am a photographer, not a lawyer.
Planning Your Legal Wedding in Greece
I have photographed weddings across the Greek islands since 2018, working alongside couples through every part of this process, legal and symbolic. If you are planning a legal wedding in Greece and want a photographer who understands the paperwork side too, I am happy to help you think through the whole thing, not just the photos. Start with my guide on planning a destination wedding in Greece if you have not picked a location yet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Marriage in Greece
Not usually. Many couples handle it themselves. A wedding planner familiar with Greek paperwork can also help.
Yes. Greece legalized same-sex civil marriage in February 2024.
The paperwork itself can move in a week or two once everything is submitted. Gathering documents at home takes far longer, so start there.
You will likely need a sworn affidavit instead, the same route American couples take. Check with your embassy in Greece.
Yes. Many couples do exactly this: legally married quietly at home or at a Greek registry office, then a full symbolic ceremony here for the celebration. Read more in my guide to symbolic vs. legal ceremonies.
Mostly, yes, but small differences exist. Always confirm with the specific dimarchio (city hall) handling your marriage.
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About
Vasilis Liappis is a Greece wedding and elopement photographer based in Athens and Karpathos. His work has been recognised by Junebug Weddings, ProWed (Top #5 Greece 2023), Fearless Photographers, and MyWed (Top #5 Greece 2025). He photographs love stories across Santorini, Mykonos, Tinos, Karpathos, Crete, and beyond.
