Weddings in Malta & Gozo

Malta and Gozo are becoming an increasingly popular wedding destination. We are pleased to offer our services for the organisation for such a special and unforgettable day.

Whether you are spending just a few hours in Malta during your cruise port of call, or spending a few days or weeks in Malta, we are able to prepare whatever you wish to make your Mediterranean wedding day that more special and unique.

We can offer the following services for all types of wedding requirements:

show you around the various churches or venues that can hold such ceremonies
airport transfers and assistance
hotel accommodation
all the necessary documentation you require
beauty therapists
beverages
caterers
flower arrangements
hairdressers
honeymoon bookings
horse drawn carriage
invitations
men’s wear hire service
photographers
souvenirs
video service
wedding cars
wedding dresses
wedding reception venues
wedding lists
wedding rings

We can provide you with all the necessary documentation to hold a religious service or civil marriage in the Maltese islands.

The following is a summary of the legal aspects of getting married in the Maltese islands.

Getting married in Malta

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

Request for the publication of banns

According to the said Law a Request for the Publication of Banns (Form RZ1) must be received by this Registry earlier than six weeks but not more than three months before the date of the intended marriage. One should note that in Malta the Law does not provide for marriage by Special License.

Marriage registry fees

When submitting your request for the publication of banns you are required to pay a fee of €69.88 for the services rendered by the Marriage Registrar which includes the celebration of the Marriage at the Marriage Registry.

Should you choose to get married elsewhere in Malta the fee would go up to €93.20 which includes the services of a Marriage Officiator. In addition you will have to provide a taxi service to transfer the Marriage Officiator to and from the marriage venue.

To avoid unnecessary bank charges it is suggested that cheques are drawn up in Euro. This fee is not refundable in the event of cancellation of the marriage.

Documents required

The Request for the publication of banns must be accompanied by the full birth certificates (showing parents’ names) and the Declarations on Oath (Form RZ2). These declarations are to be signed on separate forms by each of the parties either in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths attached to an Embassy of Malta in your country of residence or, alternatively, in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths located in your country (e.g. a Solicitor, a Justice of the Peace, a Notary etc.). The authorised person must date the declaration and affix his/her personal stamp or seal.

Persons who have never previously been married must produce a Free Status Certificate (if not otherwise specified on the certificate, the expiry date of the certificate will be taken as three (3) months from date of issue) from their local registrar. If the registrar cannot issue such a certificate, a statutory declaration by a third party drawn up in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths is required which the authorised person must date and affix his/her personal stamp or seal to.

Documents normally require legalisation stamps/Apostilles issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country of domicile. It is advisable to contact the Marriage Registry well in advance to ensure that you procure the right documentation.

Persons previously married

Persons who have been previously married are to provide a Free Status Certificate together with other official documents certifying that such marriage/s is/are no longer binding (e.g. Divorce Judgments, Death Certificate of former spouse, etc.). Regarding divorces, annulments, etc. Maltese Law states that:

A decision of a foreign court on the status of a married person or affecting such status shall be recognised for all purposes of law in Malta if the decision is given by a competent court of the country in which either of the parties to the proceedings is domiciled or of which either of such parties is a citizen (Sec. 33)

If the registrar cannot issue a free status certificate, a statutory declaration by a third party drawn up in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths is required which the authorised person must date and affix his/her personal stamp or seal to.

Documents that are not in the Maltese or English language are to be translated and legally authenticated.

Civil marriages

Civil marriages can be celebrated in the Marriage Registry itself, which is situated at 197, Merchants Street, Valletta.

A civil marriage may also take place at any other place open to the public and which the registrar accepts as appropriate. Examples of appropriate venues include wedding halls, conference rooms and other public areas within hotel precincts. It must be pointed out that civil marriages are not conducted at pool side areas or on private beaches.

For the actual performance of civil marriages the registry opens on any day of the week (Monday to Sunday) on appointment made with the couple concerned. You will also need to make arrangements for at least two witnesses who must be not less than 18 years old.

On arriving in Malta you will need to call at Marriage Registry to finalise matters. You will be required to produce your passports.

Religious marriages

Religious marriages are celebrated in a church of one’s denomination. The place of marriage must be decided before requesting the publication of banns. Keep in mind that in order to change the place of marriage from that originally notified the Marriage Registry needs at least three weeks’ notice.

On arriving in Malta you will need to call at Marriage Registry to finalise matters. You will be required to produce your passports.

Capacity to marry

Section 18 of the Marriage Act 1975 states that:

A marriage, whether celebrated in Malta or abroad, shall be valid for all purposes of law in Malta if:

(a) as regards the formalities thereof, the formalities required for its validity by the law of the country where the marriage is celebrated are observed;
(b) as regards the capacity of the parties, each of the persons to be married is, by law of his or her respective domicile, capable of contracting marriage.

Because of this Section of the law, may we remind you that, should it be necessary to comply with any marriage laws in order that your marriage may also conform to the laws of your country of domicile, it is your responsibility to take care of such requirements.

Obtaining marriage certificates

Marriage certificates may be obtained by application to the Civil Status Section, Public Registry, 26, Old Treasury Street, Valletta.

Formal extracts cost €2.33 each and full copies of the original Act of Marriage cost €9.32 each.

There are no arrangements between the Registry and the Registries of other countries for the registration in those countries of marriages which take place in Malta between two foreign nationals or between Maltese and other nationals. Therefore if you are required to register your marriage in any other country outside Malta, you should affect this registration in the manner described by that particular country’s laws.

It is recommended to Apostille the certificates in accordance with the Hague Convention of the 5th October 1961. The Apostilles are issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Valletta.

Templates for Forms RZ1, RZ2 and 3rd party declarations are available for download.

Notice of marriages of convenience

The Marriage Laws of Malta provide the following:

Any person who contracts a marriage with the sole purpose of obtaining:

a) Maltese citizenship; or
b) Freedom of movement in Malta; or
c) A work or residence permit in Malta; or
d) The right to enter Malta; or
e) The right to obtain medical care in Malta

shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years. Any person who contracts a marriage with another person knowing that it is a marriage of convenience shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable for the same punishment laid down in the Laws of Malta Cap. 255.