On November 5, 2007 the oppurtunity to get married at a hotel, country house or public building was opened to couples in Ireland. The Civil Registration act, 2004 is reshaping civil Ceremonies, Meaning that engaged couples get far more options for their big day.In essence, the civil registration act of 2004 became law on November the 5th 2007 and these new provisions replaced all current legislation on Marriage in the Republic of Ireland.These new laws applt to both Irish and non Irish citizens.These major changes also impact on religious ceremonies, both Catholic snd Non - Catholics and all couples should consult their priest, rabbi, or clergyperson for clarification on their particular situation.

Most people think that this legislation has onlt to do with the type of marriage venues allowed for civil ceremonies, and although this is one of the most important changes it is only one of the major changes, of which in fact there are four. Therefore to contract a legal marriage in Ireland, all requirements must be fully met by the couple.

Esentially, a valid marriage has three parts, firstly that the couple have the capacity to marry each other ie:they must be 18 years old unless exempted by the High court or Circuit Family Court, secondly, theymust both commit freely to the marriage and thirdly they must observe the marriage notification process as required by the laws of Ireland. Presuming that the first and second parts are in order then we will focus on the third part here.

The first change is in the Marriage Notification Process and the accompaning documents. From November 5th 2007, all those marrying in Ireland must go to the Registrars Office in person to give at least three months notice of their intention to marry. However you must phone for an appointment with the Registrar first, there are no exceptions to this rule - all notification to marry must be in person unlesss the minister has given permission for postal notification which is allowed only in very restricted circumstances. You may go to your local Registrars Office to notify if is is more convient than Dublin, Check with The HSE (health service executive) for contact Details.It is also recommended that more than three months be given for notice to ensure that all legal documents are in place in plenty of time. It is important to note that a marriage is not legal unless three months notice have been given - unless under section 47 of the Act you have been given permission by the High Court or the Family Circuit Court.

When you go to the Registrars Office to notify, you will need to bring the following with you, the notification fee of €150 (correct amount at time of writing), evidence of name, address, age, marital status, and nationality. The following will also be required, - your passport or driving licence as I.D., the original and final decree of any divorce (and evidence as to where the divorce was granted if outside Ireland, as to determine whether the divorce is recognised in Ireland), the death certificate of a previous spouse and the civil marriage certificate for a previous marriage, and your pps number for both parties. You will also be requested to supply your intended date of Marriage, whether you want a civil or religious ceremony, the names and addresses and dates of births of your witnesses - there must be two of them and they must be both over the age of 18, and also your proposed Venue for the Wedding.

The second change is that the couple will have to sign a declaration of no impediment to the marriage, stating that they are not aware of any lawful impediment to their marriage - whether by age, monogamy, mental illness/handicap, sex or prohibited degrees of kindred and affinity. All required details being satisified so far, the registrar will issue you with a Marriage Registration Form (MRF). This document is basically the civil authorisation to marry and all couples wishing to marry in Ireland must get an MRF, as without it a marriage cannot be registered in Law. The MRF should then be given to the Registrar or your religious solemniser prior to your Wedding Ceremony.

The third change is that a Registrar of Soleminisers of Marriage will be maintained by the General Registrars Office. All those who intend to perform the Marriage Ceremony whether civil or religious, must be on this register. It is the couples responsibility to ensure that the soleminiser is on this register you can do this by checking with the General Register Office or online on their website. Furthermore, the venues for all marriages, both civil and religious, must be open to the public. The ceremony must be performed in the pressence of two witnesses over 18 years of age. It is the responsibility of the coupke to provide an interpreter if required. The couple must make two specific declarations before the witnesses, that neither of them knows of any lawful impediment to their marriage and that they accept each other as Husband and Wife. Then the solemniser, the witnesses and the newly married couple all sign the MRF. When duly signed, the MRF is then given to any Registrar within one month of the ceremony in order to have the marriage civilly registered. It is important to note that your civil marriage certificate will not be issued untill you have returned the MRF to a registrar and the marriage is civilly registered.

The Fourth change relates to the Venues for a civil service. Of course you can still choose to have your wedding in a Registry Office, but now a wider choice has been approved in Law. Dont get too excited yet - you still wont be able to get married outside on top of a mountain, certain restrictions apply - The Venue must be inspected and approved by the HSE in advance of the ceremony and The registrar must be available to solemnise the Marriage at that venue on your chosen date. This may prove to be a bit of a headache - do you choose the venue or the date first? & what if your chosen venue is turned down or the registrar cannot travel to your venue on your chosen date. Dont forget that you will also have to pay all travel and accomodation expenses for the registrar as well as any extra fees involved in your choice. What if the Registrar is unavoidably delayed or has to travel to another civil ceremony somewhere else? Check all this out before you book your reception one or two years in advance! And before you decide on the most romantic place for your ceremony to take place just remember that the following rules apply without exception. Your Wedding ceremony must be held in a venue that is deemed to be 'a seemly and dignified venue' according to the registrar. If the main use of your venue is demeaning or disreputable then it will not be considered suitable. (b)There must be adequate room for the number of guests that you intend to invite to be comfortably seated.(c) The Venue must be opened to the public without restrictions as to acess and without charge.(d) Your venue must comply with respect to planning permission, fire safety and all relevant fire and safety requirements.(e) Your venue must have public liability insurance cover.(f) it must be accessible to all, in particular persons with disabilities.(g)Your Venue must have no recent or continuining connection with any religious or religious practices incompatible with the solemnizing of a civil wedding. (h) your venue must be a fixed structure with four walls, located and described as a distinct venue. this means no open air venue tent, marquee or any other temporary structure. It also means no private dwelling of any sort.

If you require further information or have specific questions that are not answered here you can contact the General Register Office, Government Buildings, Convent Road, Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland. or telephone: 00353(0)9066-32945/7/8/9 or low call on 1890-25-20-76