So You Are Not Greek and You Want to Get Married Here

A legal civil wedding in Greece is entirely achievable for international couples — thousands do it every year — but the paperwork rewards early starters. Here is the realistic step-by-step timeline we walk our couples through. (Always verify current requirements with official sources; rules can differ between municipalities.)

Step 1 — Six or more months out: confirm what you need

The official starting point for British couples is the UK government's guidance on getting married abroad and its Greece documentary services guide. Requirements are confirmed by the Greek town hall (dimos) where you'll marry — they can vary locally, which is why we always check with the Skopelos municipality for our couples.

Step 2 — Around three to four months out: gather documents

• Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or equivalent proof you are free to marry. UK couples give notice at their local register office; a 28-day notice period applies.
• Full (long-form) birth certificates showing parents' details.
• Valid passports.
• Divorce or death certificates, if previously married.

Step 3 — Apostille and translation

Greece is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so foreign public documents need an apostille from the issuing country (for UK documents, the FCDO). Documents then need official Greek translations — the town hall will expect certified translations, typically by an official translator or certified Greek lawyer.

Step 4 — The final weeks: local formalities

In Greece the marriage licence and the town-hall booking happen locally. This is the part we handle with you on the ground in Skopelos: filing at the municipality, scheduling the ceremony, and making sure witnesses and any interpreter are arranged.

Prefer to skip the paperwork entirely?

Many couples legally marry at home with a quick registry appointment, then hold their real celebration in Skopelos as a symbolic ceremony — same vows, same sunset, zero bureaucracy. Both paths are good; we'll help you pick based on your timeline. For the full document checklist, see our wedding documents guide or our civil wedding page.