Legal Requirements for
Getting Married in Malta

The legal requirements for getting married in Malta are relatively straightforward.

The following information is intended to be a starting point and guideline only.



Although much care and effort has been taken to ensure the information provided is correct please do not take it as legal advice. I strongly advise you to consult the Maltese Embassy or Consulate for first hand information on the legal requirements for getting married in Malta.


Legality of Marriage

Marriages in Malta are subject to the provisions of the Marriage Act, 1975.

The marriage of UK and Irish citizens conducted in Malta is legally binding under UK and Irish law.

This is also the case for citizens from most other countries wishing to marry in Malta.



Residency Requirements

There are no minimum residency requirements for getting married in Malta.



Marriage Application

In order to apply for a Marriage Application (Request for the Publication of Banns) you must complete Form RZ1 and submit it to the Marriage Registry in Valetta or Gozo together with the documentation listed below.

This applies to both civil and religious marriages.

The application must be received at least 6 weeks prior to the date of your proposed marriage but no more than 3 months before.

On arriving in Malta prior to your wedding you are required to visit the Marriage Registry in Valetta or Gozo to finalise matters. At this visit you will be required to produce your passports.

On your marriage application you need to state your intended place of marriage. If you decide to change your intended place of marriage after you have submitted your marriage application, the marriage registry will need at least three weeks notice.

If you are having a religious wedding you will also need to state the name of your priest.



Required Documentation

The following documentation is required to get married in Malta.

• Request for the Publications of the banns (Form RZ1)
  
  
• Declarations on Oath (Form RZ2)
  • The declaration must be signed on separate forms by each of the parties in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths attached to a Maltese Diplomatic Mission or in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths (e.g. solicitor, a justice of the peace, a Notary etc), who must affix their personal stamp or seal.
  
  
• Original long Birth Certificate which include the names of both your parents
  • In the event that your full birth certificate does not contain particulars of your parents, like in some of the American States, a Statutory Declaration is required from a relative or friend, who knows the parents concerned and can confirm the Full Current Names of both parents as well as the Maiden Name of the mother in writing. The friend/relative and the solicitor on his own letterhead and /or with his stamp/seal must sign the documents.


• Passport
  • Photocopy is sufficient for your Marriage Application
  • Original must be bought to the wedding ceremony


• If you have not been previously married
  • A Free Status Certificate from your Local Registrar - .i.e.:
  • Certificate of No Impediment (UK Citizens only)
  • Certificate de coutume & MP2A form (Irish Citizens only)


• If you are divorced
  • Decree Absolute & previous marriage certificates
  • Affidavit by a 3rd person drawn up in the presence of a solicitor, stating that since the date of your divorce, you did not re-marry


• If you are widowed
  • Certificate of 1st marriage
  • Death certificate of former spouse
  • Affidavit by a 3rd person drawn up in the presence of a solicitor, stating that since the death of your former spouse, you did not re-marry


• If you are under 18
  • Parental consent to marry


• If you have changed your name
  • A notarised copy of the Deed Poll

• Particulars of your witnesses and photocopies of their passport, their place of birth, residence and father’s name

• Documents which are not in Maltese or English must be translated and legally authenticated
  
  
• The Free Status Certificates and RZ2 form are only valid for 3 months
  
  
• Originals or true copies of your documents will not be returned to you