Getting Married in Ireland: Dublin & Wicklow Wedding Guide
To marry in Ireland you need a marriage registration form from the HSE civil registration service. Book a marriage notification appointment at least 3 months before the wedding — both of you attend, pay a €200 non-refundable fee and sign a declaration — and you cannot marry until the 3-month notice period has passed. If either of you is a foreign national, expect an interview with the registrar. The form is valid for 6 months from your intended wedding date.
Step by step: the legal process
- Book the notification appointment early. Book online in some areas or by phone. Waiting times vary — the HSE advises booking as soon as you can, not close to the 3-month deadline.
- Attend together. Both of you attend, meet the registrar and sign a declaration that you know of no legal reason why the marriage cannot happen. Pay the €200 fee, usually at the appointment.
- Registrar interview (foreign nationals). If one of you is a foreign national, or an EU national is marrying a non-EU national, you will be interviewed by the registrar.
- Receive the marriage registration form. If everything is in order you get the marriage registration form, valid for 6 months from your intended wedding date.
- Wait out the notice period. The 3 months' notice starts from the appointment date; you cannot marry before it ends.
- Marry with a registered solemniser. The ceremony must be performed by a solemniser on the register of solemnisers. For a civil ceremony the registrar solemnises the marriage, with 2 witnesses aged 18 or over.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notice | At least 3 months, counted from the notification appointment |
| Notification fee | €200, non-refundable |
| Marriage registration form | Valid 6 months from the intended wedding date |
| Witnesses | 2, aged 18 or over |
| Civil ceremony away from the registrar's office | May carry an additional fee |
| Religious and secular ceremonies | Still need the notification appointment, and the marriage must be registered |
Planning a Dublin or Wicklow wedding from abroad
Because both of you must attend the notification appointment in person at least three months before the wedding, couples living abroad usually plan an extra trip to Ireland — or time the appointment with a venue visit. Contact the civil registration service early to confirm how they handle couples who live overseas.
If you need to postpone, a new date within the 6-month validity can be amended on the form; outside that window you meet the registrar again (at no charge), at least 3 months before the new date.
Official source
Frequently asked questions
How much notice do you need to get married in Ireland?
At least 3 months, counted from your marriage notification appointment with the HSE civil registration service.
How much does it cost to get married in Ireland?
The HSE notification fee is €200 (non-refundable). A civil ceremony at a venue other than a registrar's office may cost extra.
Can foreigners get married in Ireland?
Yes. Foreign nationals follow the same notification process and attend an interview with the registrar.
How many witnesses do you need in Ireland?
Two witnesses aged 18 or over.