Frequently Asked Questions
Both parties must be at least 18 years old and able to understand the nature of marriage.
Although there are no official residency requirements, couples are advised to contact the Marriage Registry approximately four months before the intended marriage date by sending an email to pubreg.marriage.identita@gov.mt. They are recommended to arrive one to two working days prior to the ceremony to complete the necessary formalities.
Yes, same-sex marriage has been legal in Malta since 1 September 2017.
Yes, civil unions provide couples with the same legal rights and responsibilities as marriage.
Separation does not dissolve a marriage. A marriage is only dissolved by annulment, divorce, or the death of one of the spouses.
If your previous marriage occurred in Malta, your divorce or annulment must first be registered with the Public Registry before you can submit an application for the publication of marriage banns.
Yes, you may legally marry the person with whom you have a cohabitation agreement.
Prior to submitting any documents, we suggest you check with the Marriage Registry to confirm which documents are needed. Some foreign documents might even have an expiry date and so, before setting your wedding date or booking a venue, please set an appointment with one of our officers. Appointments may be set at https://pubregbooking.identita.gov.mt/v2/#book/category/1/count/1/provider/any/
No, if your birth certificate is registered at the Public Registry, the Marriage Registry will obtain it directly, so you do not need to provide an original copy yourself.
If you reside in Malta, these forms will be completed at the office in Marsa during the application appointment. If you reside abroad, you are requested to send an email to pubreg.marriage.identita@gov.mt for guidance.
Yes, all documents not in English or Maltese must be officially translated. You may find a list of certified translators by Identità at https://identita.gov.mt/public-registry-sec-page-translators-list/
Documents should be submitted at least six weeks before the intended wedding date and no earlier than three months prior.
Yes. If you are residing in Malta, both spouses must attend together to submit the marriage application.
Civil marriage ceremonies can be held in our Marriage Room at the Marsa office or at a venue of your choice. Please note that venues outside the Marriage Room must be public and accessible to everyone. If you are unsure whether a venue is approved, kindly email us before making any bookings.
Civil marriages can take place at any outdoor or private venue, provided that these locations are deemed appropriate by the Marriage Registrar and are fully accessible to the public.
Beach weddings are available only on beaches that belong to hotels. These locations must include a wooden walkway and platform for the spouses and the registrar to ensure easy access.
Civil marriages are celebrated all year round except on the following days: Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Marriages during weekdays are conducted between 14:15 and 19:00. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, marriages may take place between 09:00 and 19:00. No civil marriages are celebrated on Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day.
A witness may be anyone of your choosing, such as a family member or friend, provided they are 18 years of age or older. Each spouse must have at least one witness and may have up to two witnesses each. Maltese witnesses must provide a copy of their ID card, while foreign residents in Malta need to provide a copy of their Residence Card and passport. Maltese or foreign nationals living abroad must submit a copy of their passport along with their current address of residence. All identification documents must be valid on both the date of application and the date of marriage, and copies of these documents must be provided at the application appointment.
You may consult the following link: https://identita.gov.mt/marriage-registry/ under the section entitled “Marriage Banns Calculator and Surnames after Marriage Options.” Please note that non-Maltese nationals are required to verify with their respective embassy or competent authority whether a change of surname following marriage is permissible in their case.
Yes, you may submit the application if your partner is not in Malta. However, we suggest that you contact the Marriage Registry first so that we can further assist you regarding the documents required to proceed with the application.
Before obtaining the required documents from your country of nationality, please schedule an information appointment with the Marriage Registry. Appointments may be booked through the official Public Registry portal or by contacting us directly at:
https://pubregbooking.identita.gov.mt/v2/#book/count/1/provider/any/
Yes, you may get married after a minimum of six weeks.
Civil marriages in Malta are officiated by the Marriage Registrar. If you wish to have a specific person officiate your marriage, please inform us on the day you submit your marriage application.
No, the civil marriage ceremony can only be conducted in Maltese or English. An interpreter may be present to simultaneously translate the ceremony.
The ceremony lasts approximately 20 minutes.
The room can accommodate 20 people in total, including the spouses.
Each ceremony is allocated 30 minutes.
No food, drinks, or confetti are permitted in the Marriage Room.
Attire may range from smart casual to formal wear. Couples and guests are welcome to dress according to their preference, provided that clothing is smart, neat, and appropriate for the occasion.
You are welcome to write your own vows and bring your own readings; however, these must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Marriage Registry officers. Non-religious music may also be played during the ceremony.
Yes, they are allowed.
Couples marrying in a church must collect the Marriage Acts from the Marriage Registry starting 10 days before the wedding. The Acts may be collected by both spouses together or by one spouse on behalf of both, provided they present the application receipt and ID card. No appointment is required. The Acts must then be submitted to the parish church where the marriage will take place.
Yes, the priest may be replaced even after you have collected the Marriage Acts. The new priest must cross out the name of the previous priest and write his own. If you know that the priest will not be available on the day of your marriage, you must inform the Marriage Registry in advance.
Yes, witnesses can be replaced up to the date of the marriage. A copy of the ID card of the new witness must be attached to the Marriage Act.
Individuals under the age of 18 cannot marry in Malta.
Additional documentation is required:
- Annulment – original annulment papers
- Divorcee – original decree absolute
- Widowed – original marriage certificate and spouse’s death certificate
Changes to the marriage date are only possible in exceptional circumstances. You need to contact the Marriage Registry immediately and provide a valid reason for the postponement.
Yes, you must inform the Marriage Registry no later than 20 days before the marriage date.
Fees vary depending on the location:
- Ceremony at the Marriage Registry and both spouses reside in Malta: €25.65
- Ceremony at the Marriage Registry and one spouse resides abroad: €51.30
- Ceremony at the Marriage Registry and both spouses reside abroad: €76.95
- Ceremony at another location and both spouses reside in Malta: €51.30
- Ceremony at another location and one spouse resides abroad: €76.95
- Ceremony at another location and both spouses reside abroad: €102.60
Fees for religious ceremonies are:
- Catholic church marriages and both spouses reside in Malta: €25.65
- Catholic church marriages and one spouse resides abroad: €51.30
- Catholic church marriages and both spouses reside abroad: €51.30
- Other religious denominations: €102.60
Marriage certificates can be requested in person from the Public Registry offices situated in Malta or Gozo. Marriage certificates can also be ordered online through our website: https://certifikati.identita.gov.mt/en/Home/Index
Yes, we provide a multilingual standard form translation certificate in all official EU languages.
Yes, we provide a multilingual standard form translation certificate in all official EU languages.
Yes, marriages conducted in Malta are generally recognised abroad. It is advisable to check with the relevant authorities of the other country for specific requirements.
Yes, many professional wedding planners in Malta offer services to guide couples through the legal and logistical aspects of getting married in Malta.