A Simple Guide to Getting Legally Married in Ireland

If you’re planning to get married in Ireland, there’s one important thing every couple must do:

give at least 3 month's notice to the Government’s Civil Registration Service (HSE).
Here’s the process explained in simple, stress-free steps:


1. Book your appointment with the HSE

Every couple, Irish residents or visitors must contact the HSE to make an appointment to give a

Notification of Intent to Marry.

You can:

  • Book online, or
  • Call any HSE Registration Office to arrange a time - ringing is always better in my opinion
  • Both of you must attend this appointment in person.


If you live abroad or cannot travel due to medical reasons, you can request to give notice by post (email).
However, you will still need to meet a Registrar at least 5 working days before the wedding once you arrive in Ireland.


2. Prepare your documents

The Registrar will send you a list of documents you must bring. These normally include:

Everyone must bring one of these photo IDs:

  • Passport
  • EU National Identity Card
  • Refugee/Asylum card

(Your ID must be in date)


You will also need:

  • Long-form birth certificate
  • Proof of address (dated within the last 3 months)
  • PPS number (Irish nationals only)
  • Divorce decree (if previously married)
  • Adoption certificate (if applicable)


If any document is not in English, you must provide a certified translation.

If you don’t speak English, you may bring an interpreter.
If you use one at your appointment, you must also have one at your marriage ceremony.


If your birth certificate was issued outside Ireland, the UK, or the EU, you may need an Apostille stamp. Check with the HSE when booking your appointment.


3. Fill in your Data Capture Form

Before your appointment, you’ll complete a form with:

  • Your names and addresses
  • Parents’ names
  • Witness names
  • Ceremony details (date, venue, celebrant’s name, etc.)
  • If I am marrying you, you put my name as Solemniser & tick secular box


4. Attend the HSE Appointment

At the appointment, the Registrar will check your documents and confirm that you are free to marry. You pay the €200 fee at the appointment.

If everything is approved, you’ll receive your MRF – Marriage Registration Form - aka The Green Folder!
This is the legal document that must be signed during your ceremony.


If I am marrying you, you bring the green folder with you on the day. I sign it, you sign it, and your witnesses sign it too.

If a HSE Registrar is performing your ceremony, they keep the MRF for you until the wedding day.


5. To ensure your legal ceremony goes without a hitch please remember:

  • You must complete the HSE notice process.
  • You must bring the MRF to the ceremony.
  • Without the MRF, I can't legally marry you.


If you would like any help or have any questions about getting married in Ireland, please get in touch. I am always happy to guide couples through this process - celebrantdonnamcmillen@gmail.com


Ballyvolane House 

Ballyvolane House, Co. Cork is a magical setting for any size wedding. Tucked away in the beautiful north Cork countryside, Ballyvolane has been in the Green family for generations, so wedding guests can enjoy a slice of home-from-home ancestral chic. There are lots of options inside and outside. They have magnificent gardens and parkland around Ballyvolane House and in the past they have had ceremonies and blessings in the woods, in the tin barn, by the lakes and in the walled garden.
There are 6 lovely bedrooms, and smaller weddings can choose between the dining room in the house or the dining terrace in the converted barn to host their wedding meal. 
Usually couples hire out the house exclusively for 2-3 days. There is also very good local accommodation in the area for any additional guests that may be joining. 
During the summer months there are glamping bell tents available for wedding guests also. 

The Village Barn 

The Village Barn, Co. Westmeath is a totally unique and quirky venue that caters for weddings big and small and is totally up my street. It is located in Tyrrelspass, which is only minutes away from the M6 and is a family run business with over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. This beautiful venue offers couples a private venue in a beautiful rustic environment. 
Couples have a choice and can have their ceremony in the Sanctuary or within their gorgeous, landscaped grounds. The sanctuary is their own on-site Chapel which is tucked away in the corner of their venue and has gorgeous pews and high windows to let as much natural light in as possible. 
There is also the choice to have your reception in the Barn or the Orangery. The Barn is their main dining and dancing area, it has panoramic windows which lets the beautiful outside be viewed from the inside. It provides a fully stocked bar and showcases their quirky treasures, from old school desks to antique chandeliers and cosy seating by an open fire. The Orangery is smaller in size but offers a comfortable and cosy reception room and an outside patio area to use. The inside is amazing and features an open fire, a fully stocked bar, a tea and coffee station and amazing mismatched furniture. 

There is a range of accommodation available for the couple and guests. The bridal suite is located on site and there are other quirky places for your guests to lay their heads; the new Farmhouse, the Cosy Cottage, the Turf Shed and the Shepard’s Hut.

Angler's Rest 

Angler’s Rest, Dublin is one of my favourite venues in Dublin, as it has the most amazing cosy and charming atmosphere, as well as real high-end quality. It is set in a beautiful location on the banks of the River Liffey and is super close to the Phoenix Park which serves as a beautiful place for photos, and you might be lucky enough to get up and close with one of the 600 deer who reside there. It is also only about 20 minutes from Dublin Airport. I was lucky enough to go to winter wedding here and the rustic décor with candles everywhere and the fire lighting outside was just magical!
The staff here provide a service that is second to none and deliver astonishing attention to detail. The Angler’s Rest has always been extremely popular for smaller weddings, because a lot of couples want a venue that does not feel empty with smaller numbers, and luckily for them because of their well known and popular smaller weddings, their business has boomed during this time. This may also be because of the amazing package they have put together for smaller weddings. 

The Angler’s Rest prides itself on the deserved reputation they have gained for their fine food and special attention is paid to their menu, which offers a vast selection of dishes to choose from. They also offer a fine selection of wines, beers and spirits which are perfect for your special day. So many couples have been disappointed with having their weddings cancelled or restricted but the staff in the Angler’s Rest really believe that “Love shouldn’t wait!” so if you think that this is the perfect venue for you, you can get in touch with them and they can help design the perfect day for you and your guests. 

AMPM Belfast, features decorative floral walls, chic French-Inspired decor and of course, delicious food. This quirky venue based in the heart of Belfast City Centre has become synonymous with wholesome cuisine and intimate ambience. It is the perfect place to celebrate your wedding, whether it is after the Registry Office in Belfast City Centre, a local church or having the whole ceremony there led by a Celebrant. They are fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies and civil partnerships.  
AMPM provides both a unique venue and unrivalled quality service and food to take the stress out of the big day for you. They can help from working with you on your wedding ideas, to creating menus, to coordinating the day itself so your event is truly flawless.

AMPM provide three different areas for your special day, there is the Champagne Lounge with its exquisite quirky décor, the Cabaret Supper Club, and the Treehouse rooftop lounge. All provide the perfect ambience and setting for your photos and your guests to enjoy. 

Magnakata

Magnakata, Country wide. Magnakata provide “magnificent tents for magic events”. Magnakata hire out extraordinary Nordic Tipis to help create an everlasting impression on you and your guests. 
They really are the most perfect wedding venue during these Covid times. Their Tipis are constructed using sustainable wooden poles and gorgeous coloured canvas which creates a fabulous, charming outdoor structure, perfect for any couple who prefer the quirky and the unique!

They are impressive on their own and they can be linked if there are larger numbers and even compliment an existing location. These structurally sound Tipis have flexible openings, innovative product design, which can house open fires and mechanical heaters, to allow weddings to happen in all types of weather, which is especially important in Ireland as we can have four seasons in one day. They offer an broad variety of furniture, lighting and accessories to provide function and style in one place, helping to make your wedding planning effortless. They also have a sister company called Blue Moon Event Design if you want to take your styling to the next level.