Getting married in Cyprus, step by step

Marrying in Cyprus makes a lot of sense, and plenty of British couples have worked that out. It’s Aphrodite’s island, the weather is reliable for most of the year, ceremonies are in English and the civil procedure is simple for any couple, foreign ones included. The Union of Cyprus Municipalities says civil marriage has existed on the island since 1923 and that couples from all over the world come to marry and stay on for their honeymoon. Here are the steps, papers, timings and fees from the official sources, and what I’d do to keep it on track. For ideas for the rest of the trip, see romantic Cyprus.

Where, and before whom?

The marriage officer of the municipality you choose performs the civil wedding, under the Marriage Law 104(I) of 2003. You can marry at the municipal office itself or, if you’re not members of the Church of Cyprus or the religious groups the constitution recognises, the Maronites, Armenians and Latins, complete the civil procedure at the municipality and hold the ceremony in your church, with a minister on the Ministry of Interior’s register.

The Limassol Tourism Board adds that many hotels have their own chapel with the sea as a backdrop, and that afterwards couples take photographs at Limassol Castle, in the municipal gardens or on the beach. On the east coast, the Famagusta tourism site says Ayia Napa and Protaras host more than 2,000 weddings a year, across beach hotels, purpose-built venues and historic chapels.

The steps, in order

First, you both appear in person before the marriage officer and sign a notice of marriage with your details, bringing passports or ID and birth certificates. Second, you present official proof that you’re single and free to marry, issued by an authority in your own country; if either of you is divorced, the decree absolute, and if widowed, the death certificate. Third, you make a written declaration that you know of no impediment to the marriage.

With everything in order, the officer sets the date, which with standard notice can’t be less than 15 days or more than 3 months after you gave notice. The fee is €128.15. In urgent cases, and at the officer’s discretion, the wedding can take place within 2 to 4 working days for €281.90. Afterwards you sign the marriage certificate with the officer and two witnesses and receive a copy; certified copies cost €13.65 each.

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Papers, translations and stamps

This is where things go wrong, so take it slowly. The Limassol Tourism Board asks for originals plus a photocopy, and says anything not in Greek must be translated into English with the translation legally certified before you reach the island. It also recommends sending copies ahead to the municipality or to your wedding planner. It adds that, depending on nationality and residency, extra procedures before or after the wedding may apply, so ask early. For getting into the country itself, see Cyprus entry requirements.

Language and recognition

Ceremonies are held in English, according to the Limassol board, with a translator available on request. When one spouse is a foreign national whose country has an embassy or consulate in Cyprus, the marriage officer is required by law to send that embassy a certified copy of the certificate. For how the marriage is recorded back in the UK, I’d check with the UK authorities before you go, because no Cypriot source I can quote covers it.

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Receptions and guests

The Limassol board is enthusiastic about the reception side. Most hotels have large banqueting suites and can organise everything down to the cake, many couples hold the reception outdoors, and small parties can even celebrate on board a yacht. It also notes that many hotels and airlines offer special rates for larger groups, which matters when you’re asking friends and family to fly out from different UK airports. Get those rates in writing before you send the invitations.

My advice

Choose the municipality first and contact it early, because each has its own office and diary. Limassol, Ayia Napa and Paralimni, judging by what their tourism boards publish, are well used to couples from abroad. And remember that in Cyprus a marriage involving anyone under 18 is void, so age is not negotiable. For the honeymoon, start with Limassol Castle, where tradition has Richard the Lionheart marry in 1191.

If you would rather go at your own pace, see the car hire deals in Limassol: the earlier you book, the more cars are left to choose from.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Limassol for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.