What couples need to do

• Make an appointment to meet with any Civil Registrar to give AT LEAST THREE MONTHS notice of your intention to marry – in advance of your proposed date of marriage.As this is a new requirement, the sooner you make your appointment the better to ensure that you get it sorted within the three months.
  • Before meeting with the Civil Registrar, you must have the Church booked and know the name of the Priest who has agreed to celebrate your marriage.
  • You will need the following information and documentation for your meeting with the Civil Registrar:

• Photo identity (preferably a passport or driving licence)
• Names and dates of birth of witnesses (Bridesmaid & Bestman)
• Name of the Church where you wish to marry
• Date of the marriage
• Name of Priest who will officiate at your marriage
• If either of you has been previously married, you must provide the Civil Registrar with an original divorce decree or death certificate if widowed
• There is a fee (€150)

• Make sure you receive theMarriage Registration Form(known as the MRF) from the Registrar and show it to the Priest who has agreed to marry you to ensure all the details are correct.

  • You must make a verbal declaration of no civil impediment before the Priest and your two witnesses not more than 2 days before your marriage. It usually takes place just as you arrive at the sanctuary area on the day of your marriage as the Rite of Marriage is about to begin.

  • It is the responsibility of the couple to return the signed MRF to any Civil Registrar’s Office not later that ONE MONTH after the marriage has been celebrated in order for the marriage to be registered.

  • Under the new requirements, all Priests are registered as Solemnisers – If the Priest officiating at your marriage is a visiting relative or friend from outside of Ireland, you will have to make arrangements with your local Priest to have him nominated as a temporary Solemniser for the day.

• Transitional Arrangements– If you have already given notice to the Registrar before the 5th Nov 2007 and have received your receipt (Green Form) that is fine but you still have to make the verbal declaration of no civil impediment. You will sign the Form A Marriage Form on the day of the marriage rather than the MRF

  • Civil Registrar’s Office:

  H.S.E. Civil Registration Office, Unit 5 Monread Office Complex, Naas.
  Open Mon – Fri 9.30am to 12.30pm & 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Telephone 045 887660

  H.S.E. Civil Registration Office, Glenside Road, Wicklow
  Open Mon – Fri 9.30am to 12.30pm & 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Telephone 0404 68400

  H.S.E. Civil Registration Office, 8/11 Lombard Street, East, Dublin 2
  Telephone 01 8638220 / 8638219 / 8638217

For further information or clarification see www.groireland.ie