Let's talk Brides Paperwork!

Photo Credit: chrisritchiecreations.com

When people get engaged they are so involved in the moment and are enjoying being a newly engaged duo. The bride to be is no doubt thinking about her dress, flowers, ideal venues and the groom to be is thinking about the fabulous honeymoon that will follow. It goes without saying that Bridess take plenty of organisation, aside from all the fun and pretty details there is the paperwork to think about. Here below is a brief step by step guide on what to do when if you are getting married in Ireland. Put the dates in your diary, the process is important because without it you won't actually be able to get married!!

It is the law for you to give notification to the state of your intent to marry. You must do so in person and must arrange an appointment with the Civil Registration Office or Health Service Executive. Locations for these places can be found on www.goireland.ie or on www.gettingmarried.ie.  You need to contact your local registration office at least 3 months before the Brides to make an appointment with the registrar to give notification but we recommend you do this as soon as possible to get your appointment.

Here is what you will need to bring with you and details you will be asked for!

• The fee of €200
• Passports
• Birth certificates for both bride and groom
• Final decrees of any previous divorces
• Death and marriage certificates of any deceased civil partner
• PPS numbers
• Original copies of any dissolution of civil partnerships

In the case of annulment - final decrees of nullity and a letter from the court to show that no appeal was lodged

• The proposed date of Brides
• The names and dates of birth of both witnesses
• Whether it is a religious or civil ceremony
• Details of the solemniser ( person who will marry you and details of the church or venue (if choosing a civil ceremony at a chosen venue rather than in at the register office).

When the registrar is satisfied with all the details, dates and additional information a Marriage Registration Form (MRF) is issued. This is an important document as it is effectively the civil authorisation for the marriage to proceed. This is required on your Brides day and should be handed to the registrar or solemniser prior to the ceremony. Bridess cannot and will not proceed without the MRF. After the ceremony the Bride, Groom, Solemniser and both witnesses sign the MRF immediately. The MRF then needs to be returned to the Registrar within 1 month so it can be civilly registered. Then that's it, you are married!!

Photo Credit: Mrs2be.ie

Under special circumstances such as either the bride or groom or both are ill or the couple live abroad it is still possible to observe the notification process. You must contact the Registry Office to receive 'special notice'. However, you must visit the office at least five days before the Brides to sign any necessary documentation and the Declaration of no Impediment (this is a document that you must sign to declare that there is no reason why the two of you should not be joined in marriage).

Depending on whether you are having a religious or civil ceremony different processes will follow. A civil ceremony is essentially sorted once you have spoken with the registrar who will issue you with a solemniser if this has not already been decided on. With religious ceremonies you must visit the solemniser of the religion of which you are marrying in. Each religion differs slightly but I will talk through the Catholic Church process as it is the majority religion in Ireland.

Photo Credit: Jobspapa.com

In the Catholic Church it is necessary to carry out a pre marriage course before you wed {although some Priests are more relaxed on this than others, so check with yours}. You must also fill in a pre-nuptial enquiry form, this is normally done with the Priest.

This is what you will need to fill out the form:

• Baptism and confirmation certificates.
• Letters of freedom ( a letter from the priest in the parish you reside to declare you have not been married before)
• Pre-marriage course completion certificate
• MRF (Marriage Registration Form)
• Important details (Of the couple intending to marry, your parents and your two witnesses)
• Questions regarding faith.

Another obstacle that you may come across is if you want to marry in a different Church. It is necessary to ask for a Dispensation of Form; that is permission to be married by the rites of another church. This permission is granted by the diocesan bishop. If a Catholic person wishes to marry a person who is not baptised, or who is a member of another faith, they must seek a dispensation from the bishop. This is called a Disparity of Cult dispensation.

Now that's all the behind the scenes work is done you can focus on the prettier aspects of the Brides!!

We do recommend that you try and sort these things out as soon as possible, as you will forget about them when you are involved in choosing venues, music, dresses etc!

Happy planning!!

Photo Credit: Castle Leslie Estate

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Write by: Unknown - Tuesday, November 26, 2013