The ideal marriage varies from person to person. There are couples who like a big party, others with a religious component. But there are also those who prefer that their union is limited to civil marriage. Regardless of your preference, if you are going to get married, you need to be aware of the marriage process in the eyes of Portuguese law. This is because a wedding is not just about the ceremony. In fact, from a legal point of view, A marriage is a contract that is entered into by the will of two people. And like any contract, this one requires you to comply with certain rules, requirements, delivery of documents and even pay for your registration. main points to consider before taking this step.Also read: Is it possible to have a wedding without spending a lot of money?
What is civil marriage anyway?
Civil marriage usually raises some doubts. When one is not familiar with this subject, there is a tendency to associate civil marriage with non-religious ceremonies. But in fact, Civil marriage is the whole legal process, from the day you communicate your intention to marry to the civil registry office until your approval and registration. That is, a marriage always goes through the civil registration process. It all starts when the bride and groom communicate to the civil registry office that they intend to marry. This process can be done in person or online. However, if the bride and groom so wish, they can be represented by attorneys with special powers. In addition, the process can also be initiated through a request from a priest or minister of worship in a church or religious community established in Portugal. After starting this process and fulfilling all the requirements that we will list below, it is completed. after the issuance of the dispatch from the registry office. This means that civil marriage is basically the authorization of a marriage and its registration. Soon, cannot skip this procedureeven if you marry for the church.
Where do I start the civil marriage process?
There are two options for starting the civil marriage process. The first and simplest is done online. Just access the Civil Online website and authenticate with your citizen card. Attention that you need the PIN and citizen card reader. Then just follow the steps and fill in the requested data. If you want to be represented by an attorney, you will need to create a power of attorney with special powers. In these situations, the power of attorney must comply with one of the following criteria: Being a authenticated document;The power of attorney is made by the notary office or by the Portuguese consulate;Or still be a signed document by the bride and groom with face-to-face acknowledgment of the signature.Regardless of the form of the power of attorney, it must always identify the future spouses, indicate the property regime and the type of marriage intended by the bride and groom (civil, Catholic or civil in religious form). go to a civil registry office or a Portuguese consulate abroad (if applicable). When going to a counter, you must be accompanied by your citizen’s card and a certificate of the prenuptial agreement deed, if done at a notary’s office.
Can anyone marry civilly?
Not. Although the restrictions do not apply to most people, there are cases that lead to marriage being prevented. As a general rule, the marriage process can be initiated by anyone with over 16 years. However, when one of the bride and groom is a minor, a parental or legal guardian authorization. But it’s not enough to be old enough to get married. During the marriage process, the conservatory analyzes and checks if there are any impediments for the bride and groom to get married. In the eyes of Portuguese law, the following situations are impediments to a marriage:Be under 16 years old of age; being married to someone elseeven if the marriage took place abroad and there is no registration in Portugal; the following family ties exist between the bride and groom: sibling, mother, father, daughter, grandmother, granddaughter; aunt or niece. The same applies to affinity relationships, such as stepdaughters, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law or son-in-law. one of the bride and groom or both have notorious dementia, even if there are lucid intervals, and it is in one of these periods; If one of the bride and groom are minors and no parental consent or a legal guardian. When one of the bride and groom is a further follow-up and the court determines that he cannot marry. In other words, an adult accompanied is someone who is unable to exercise their rights and duties. This limitation may be associated with health, behavioral or disability issues. And finally, when one of the engaged has been convicted as the author or accomplice of intentional homicide against the person to whom the other fiance was married. Even if the murder has not been proven. The same applies if you are still awaiting trial.
What information and documents should I submit?
In the declaration to the civil registry office that demonstrates your desire to get married, you need to indicate the following elements: Place where you are going to get married; Your type of marriage (civil, Catholic or civil marriage in religious form); Day and time of marriage; and the property regime you want That is, according to Portuguese law, you can opt for community of acquired, general community of goods or separation of property. However, remember that it is possible to opt for another property regime, as long as it complies with Portuguese legislation. The property regime must be formalized through a prenuptial agreement registered by document at the civil registry office. However, if you prefer, you can choose to do so in a public deed at a notary’s office. If you don’t choose any property regime, the community of acquired regime applies. Read also: The different marriage regimes and the purchase of a house through credit As for documents, in most cases you don’t need to take anything out of the ordinary. Just be accompanied by your citizen Card. However, when the certificate of deed of the prenuptial agreement is not made in the civil registry, you will have to take it with you. If one of the bride and groom is a foreigner, yes, more documents can be requested. First of all, all foreign couples must take their residence permit or your passport. Depending on the nationality or the process itself, it may be necessary to present: birth certificate legalized and translated into Portuguese (when it is written in a foreign language); And in some specific cases a certificate of matrimonial capacity. As a rule, this certificate is requested when the fiancee’s country of origin issues this document. Also read: Foreign citizens: What do you need to work in Portugal?
How much does a civil wedding cost?
A civil marriage has the tabulated value of 120 euros. This amount includes the marriage process and registration. But if you want to get married outside of normal hours, weekends, holidays, want to make a prenuptial agreement or there are travel involved, be prepared to pay other values. For example, at 120 add:200 euros when the wedding takes place outside the conservatory.200 euros when it takes place at the conservatorybut outside normal opening hours, on weekends and holidays;100 euros, if you want to make prenuptial agreements within the regimes provided for in the Civil Code; 160 euros for prenuptial agreements of an atypical property regime; 30 euros if you want to register the agreement or the change to the property regime carried out by another entity.
When a marriage is refused, are the bride and groom notified?
Yup. When a marriage gets the green light, has six months to marry in the desired modality. But if the request is refused, the bride and groom are always informed. It is notification is made in person or by registered letter at the end of the process. If you do not agree with the decision, know that you can appeal. However, we remind you that the refusal may be due to a legal impediment that has been discovered. In the end, anyone can present a reason for preventing a marriage. After this presentation, it is up to the civil registry office to investigate the facts and verify whether or not there is a legal impediment to the marriage. Read also: Marriage and savings: the perfect alliance
A professional writer by day, a tech-nerd by night, with a love for all things money.