If you are planning to get married abroad as a Portuguese citizen, one of the essential documents may be the Certificate of Matrimonial Capacity. In this article, we explain what it is, what it is used for, how to obtain it, and the steps to follow to ensure that your process runs smoothly.
What is the Certificate of Matrimonial Capacity?
The Certificate of Matrimonial Capacity is an official document that proves that a Portuguese citizen has the legal capacity to marry, meaning that there are no legal impediments to the marriage according to Portuguese law. This certificate is issued exclusively for marrying a specific person and is not valid for other marriages with different people.
What is it Used For?
This certificate serves to:
- Prove that the Portuguese citizen is legally eligible to marry abroad with a specific person;
- Prevent marriages with legal impediments (such as bigamy or prohibited kinship);
- Facilitate the validation of the marriage in Portugal after it has been celebrated abroad.
Note: Not all countries require this certificate. It is important to confirm in advance with the authorities of the country where the marriage will take place whether the certificate is indeed necessary.
Where to Obtain the Certificate?
The request for the Certificate of Matrimonial Capacity must be made:
- In Portugal: At any Civil Registry Office.
- If the Portuguese citizen is not in Portugal: The request can be made through a power of attorney to someone who will represent them at a Civil Registry Office.
How to Obtain the Certificate?
The process of obtaining the certificate involves a preliminary procedure, which includes:
- Gathering the necessary documents;
- Submitting the documents at the Civil Registry;
- Paying the service fee;
- Analysis of the process by the registry office to verify if there are any legal impediments (the birth certificate of the Portuguese citizen is officially checked by the registry office);
- Issuance of the certificate if no impediments are found.
Validity Period
The Certificate of Matrimonial Capacity is valid for six months from the date of issuance. If the marriage is not celebrated within this period, a new certificate must be requested.
Important: If the marriage abroad is celebrated within the six-month validity period of the certificate, it is possible to convert this preliminary process and, using the same fee, proceed with the transcription of the marriage in Portugal. Ask us how!
Associated Costs
The process involves a fee of 120 euros in Portugal, established by the Civil Registry.
Need Help?
The process may be simple, but it is important to ensure that all documentation is correct and within deadlines. If you need assistance in obtaining your Certificate of Matrimonial Capacity or if you have any questions about the process, our team is available to help.
Contact us for personalized and stress-free guidance in this special moment of your life.
