Registration of marriage in Spain for foreigners: procedure and documents

Registration of marriage to a foreigner in Spain: general

The law requires you to prove before marriage that you are entitled to conclude it: it is done in an act or an expediente under Registro Civil (art. 56 Códigigo Civil, art. 58 Ley 20/2011) [1][2]If both foreigners are married in Spain, either in Spanish or in a form permitted by the personal law of either of you [1]The marriage is then registered in Registro Civil: without inscripción, it will bring civil consequences from the day of the ceremony, but registration is necessary for full recognition. [1].

The price, timing and schedule of Ajuntament Barcelonas and notaries publish themselves: we did not test them.

Who Can Marriage

The law excludes marriage for minors without emancipation, for those already married, for direct relatives and for side relatives to the third degree (judge can remove the obstacle to the third degree) [1]II. Same requirements for couples of the same sex [1]For an alien, the ability and marital status are assessed by the law of his nationality (art. 9.1 Códio Civil), so the acta leader may request a legal document under your law. [1]One of you may enter into a marriage under a special notary power and the other may be present in person (art. 55) [1].

What documents need to be prepared and how to prepare them

The exact list is asked by the person who is responsible for the acta or the expediente, and it differs between notario, Registro Civil and juzgado. Usually, you ask for a passport, a birth certificate, a family status document (which you are not married to; if you have, a divorce certificate or a death certificate) and a confirmation of domicile, such as Padrón. This is our reference point, not the official list, check it with the individual host.

Foreign public documents in extrandjería proceedings are accepted with apostille or legalized and with the translation of a juror [5]We did not find such wording for the marriage case on the official source, but the rule reflects a general approach, and it is safe to prepare this. apostille on Russian documents, apostol for marriage and birth certificates, juror transferThe registration of the place of residence in Barcelona is done through Auntation: Empadronamiento in Barcelona.

Step: from recording to certificate

1. Select a path: Registro Civil, juzgado or notario. You can send it where one of you has domiciled (article 51 Código Civil). If both live abroad, the consul is responsible for the conduct of the consul. [1][2].
2. Take a separate interview: The speaker listens to you in turn and confidentially to check your ability, lack of obstacles and authenticity of consent [2].
3. You get a solution or acta: it allows or refuses motivation, it can specify the applicable property regime and vecidad civil. You can complain about refusal to encargado and then to DGSJFP [2].
4. Conduct a ceremony. If a year has passed since the publication or substitute act, marriage cannot be concluded without a new procedure. Two witnesses are present at the ceremony, the moderator reads articles 66-68 Código Civil, asks for everyone's consent. [2][1].
5. The host, on the same day, sends the document electronically to Registro Civil, the registrar checks and enters the record. [2].
6. If you need a certificate abroad, specify the apostille and the translation for the destination country: the rules are country-driven, we haven't tested them.

Marriage in Catalonia: What changes for property and status

If your marriage is subject to Catalan law, if there is no marriage contract, separate ownership of property is applicable (separación de bienes, art. 231-10 libro segundo Código civil de Catalúña) [3]But what law is applicable depends on the personal laws of the spouses: the general personal law in detention, otherwise what you choose as a notary document before marriage, otherwise the law of common residence after marriage (art. 9.2 Códio Civil) [1]For a couple from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus or Kazakhstan, the question often has no obvious answer: talk to a notary before the wedding.

The regime is entered into by Registro Civil with marriage; the marriage contract is made by a notary [2]If you choose a partnership rather than marriage, it is regulated separately in Catalonia: Paris de hecho in Barcelona and marriage or pareja de hecho for residence.

Marriage and residence permits: What gives and does not

Marriage itself does not grant a residence permit: it is a ground that checks the oicina de extrandjería under a separate procedure [6]For a Spanish citizen, the reference sheet refers to the procedure as free of charge, with a five-year permit [8]I'll give you more details: Residence permit for a relative of a Spanish citizen and Reunion with a spouse.

Factual marriages (matrimonios de complacencia) are considered null and void, and Instrucción DGRN of 31 January 2006 describes how Registro Civil identifies them by interviewing and other checks [4]Prepare the papers honestly: Fake dates and fake addresses are detrimental to marriage and the whole case.

If one of you is in Spain without an I.D.

Articles 44-58 Código Civil on marriage do not specify residence permits as a condition [1]But Registro Civil checks the authenticity of the intent, and the consequences for your status are not the marriage, but the migration procedure chosen and your history in the country. Do not conceal the circumstances of the interview, and before filing the plan with a lawyer: where is the exit, the timing and the risks of your case?

Typical Errors

• Homecilio is in another town. Compt. Leador for the domicile of one of you; the delivery is holding up the case. [1].
• Documents without apostille or translation. Better to cook them in advance [5].
• A time limit. After a year after publication, a new procedure is needed [2].
• Disparities in the writing of names. Transliteration must be consistent in the passport and certificates.
• The marriage will automatically give you a residence permit. Need a separate procedure and confirmation of a life together [6].
• They do not know what law applies to property. Talk to the notary before the ceremony. [1].
• Not preparing for the birth of children. If a child is expected in the family, read in advance how the birth is registered and the residence permit is issued: Birth in Spain.

What can we help you with?

The NEXO team in Barcelona helps you understand the way your couple is going to get your papers from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan (postils, translations, discharges) and then choose the migration procedure with your lawyer. Consultation, section familyWhat steps are taking after the wedding shows Family questionnaireand the general order after the move is described in the section Residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequent issues

Related materials

The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.