Greece is one of the most popular wedding destinations for UK couples, but the paperwork needs to be prepared carefully. If your documents are incomplete, not apostilled, not translated correctly or issued too late, the local Greek authority may refuse them or delay the marriage licence.

British nationals getting married in Greece are usually asked to prove their identity, nationality and freedom to marry. This often means preparing a certificate of no impediment, full birth certificate, passport copy and, where relevant, divorce or name change documents.

GOV.UK advises British nationals getting married abroad to check the law in the country where the ceremony will take place and to confirm the process with the person conducting the ceremony or the wedding venue. It also explains that you may need documents to prove you are free to marry, such as a certificate of no impediment or an affirmation.

This guide explains the UK documents commonly needed for marriage in Greece, when apostille is required and how to prepare translations in the correct order.

UK documents commonly needed for marriage in Greece

The exact document list depends on the municipality, island, wedding planner, ceremony type and personal circumstances. However, British nationals are commonly asked for:

• certificate of no impediment
• full birth certificate
• valid UK passport
• certified passport copy, where required
• statutory declaration or affirmation of single status, where required
• divorce final order or decree absolute, if previously married
• death certificate of a former spouse, if widowed
• deed poll or name change document, if applicable
• adoption certificate, if applicable
• proof of address, in some cases
• apostilles on UK public documents
• Greek translations

Local requirements can vary between Greek municipalities, so always confirm the exact checklist before ordering or legalising documents.

Certificate of no impediment

A certificate of no impediment, often called a CNI, is usually one of the most important documents for a UK citizen getting married in Greece.

A CNI confirms that there is no known legal reason why you cannot marry. It is normally obtained through your local register office in the UK after giving notice.

GOV.UK’s marriage abroad guidance says British nationals may need a certificate of no impediment or affirmation to prove they are free to marry or register a civil partnership abroad.

Your names on the CNI should match your passports and other documents. Differences in middle names, spelling, previous names or accents can cause delays.

Full birth certificate

A full birth certificate is commonly requested for marriage in Greece. This is usually the long version showing parent details, not a short birth certificate.

If your birth certificate is damaged, laminated, faded or missing information, it is usually safer to order a new official copy before apostille.

A UK birth certificate can usually be apostilled directly if it is an official certificate issued by the General Register Office or local register office.

Passport and passport copy

You will usually need a valid passport as proof of identity and nationality.

Some Greek authorities may ask for a certified passport copy. An ordinary photocopy may not be enough if the copy is being submitted as part of the document pack.

A passport copy usually needs solicitor or notary certification before apostille. The FCDO will not normally apostille an uncertified photocopy.

Divorce documents

If you have been married before, you will usually need to prove that the previous marriage has legally ended.

This may require:

• decree absolute
• final order
• divorce certificate
• annulment document
• dissolution order for a civil partnership

The divorce document may need apostille and Greek translation before it can be accepted in Greece.

If your previous marriage or divorce took place outside the UK, check the requirements carefully because the document may need to be legalised in the country where it was issued.

Death certificate of a former spouse

If you are widowed, the Greek authority may ask for the death certificate of your former spouse.

They may also ask for your previous marriage certificate to show the relationship between you and the deceased spouse.

A UK death certificate can usually be apostilled directly if it is an official certificate issued by the relevant UK register office or GRO.

Name change documents

Name differences are a common cause of wedding paperwork problems.

You may need evidence of name change if:

• your passport name differs from your birth certificate
• you changed your name by deed poll
• you use a married name after divorce
• your documents show different spellings
• middle names appear on some documents but not others

Supporting documents may include deed poll, marriage certificate, divorce document, statutory declaration or civil partnership certificate. These may also need apostille and translation.

Apostille for UK documents used in Greece

Greece is a Hague Apostille Convention country, so UK documents for use in Greece commonly need an FCDO apostille rather than embassy legalisation.

An apostille confirms the recognised UK signature, stamp or seal on the document. For UK documents, apostilles are issued by the FCDO Legalisation Office.

The Greek public services portal explains that foreign nationals’ documents from Hague Convention countries are accepted with an apostille stamp and must be translated into Greek by a Greek translator.

Documents commonly apostilled for marriage in Greece include:

• certificate of no impediment
• full birth certificate
• divorce final order or decree absolute
• death certificate of a former spouse
• deed poll or name change document
• adoption certificate
• statutory declaration or affirmation
• certified passport copy, if required

Greek translation requirements

Documents for marriage in Greece usually need to be translated into Greek.

The order matters. In many cases, the UK document should be apostilled first and then translated so the translation covers the apostille as well as the document.

Some Greek wedding providers state that legal papers, including apostille stamps, must be translated into Greek and certified by the Greek Embassy or Consulate, although local practice can vary depending on the municipality and route used.

Before arranging translation, ask the Greek municipality, wedding planner or authority whether they require:

• Greek translation in the UK
• translation by a Greek lawyer or official translator
• consular-certified translation
• translation after apostille
• translation of the apostille certificate
• original paper translations
• digital copies in advance

Civil wedding vs religious wedding

The document requirements may differ depending on whether you are having a civil wedding or religious wedding in Greece.

A civil wedding is usually handled through the relevant municipality. A religious wedding may involve additional church or religious authority requirements.

For example, a Greek Orthodox wedding may require extra religious documents, baptism certificates or church permissions. If one partner is not Orthodox, additional requirements may apply.

Always check both the civil authority and the religious authority before preparing documents.

Timing your documents

Timing is important because some documents may take time to obtain, legalise and translate.

You may need time for:

• giving notice at your local register office
• obtaining the certificate of no impediment
• ordering replacement birth certificates
• obtaining divorce or court documents
• arranging solicitor or notary certification
• FCDO apostille
• Greek translation
• review by the wedding planner or municipality
• courier delivery to Greece, if required

Some local wedding providers ask to review documents several weeks before the ceremony. Leave enough time to fix mistakes.

Getting married in Greece after divorce

If you have been divorced, you should expect extra document checks.

You may need:

• full birth certificate
• passport
• certificate of no impediment
• decree absolute or final order
• previous marriage certificate, in some cases
• name change evidence, if relevant
• apostilles
• Greek translations

Check whether the Greek authority wants the original court document, a sealed court copy or a certified copy.

Using a UK statutory declaration for Greece

A statutory declaration of single status may be required if the Greek authority asks for an additional sworn statement or if your situation cannot be covered by the CNI alone.

The declaration may confirm:

• your full name
• date of birth
• nationality
• address
• marital status
• that you are free to marry
• details of previous marriage or divorce, if relevant
• intended spouse and wedding location

It should be signed before a solicitor or notary if it will be apostilled.

Common mistakes to avoid

Common mistakes include:

• leaving the CNI too late
• using a short birth certificate instead of a full birth certificate
• forgetting apostille on UK documents
• translating before apostille when the apostille also needs translation
• using inconsistent names across documents
• assuming all Greek islands follow exactly the same process
• sending photocopies instead of official documents
• forgetting divorce or name change evidence
• not checking civil and religious wedding requirements separately
• relying on outdated document lists

These mistakes can delay the marriage licence or cause the municipality to ask for new documents.

How to prepare UK documents for marriage in Greece

The process usually works as follows.

1. confirm the local Greek requirements

Ask the municipality, wedding planner, venue or celebrant for the exact document list.

2. apply for your certificate of no impediment

Book an appointment with your local register office if required and allow enough time for the notice process.

3. order official certificates

Order full birth certificates, divorce documents or other replacement documents if needed.

4. check names and dates

Make sure names match across your passport, CNI, birth certificate and any divorce or name change documents.

5. arrange apostilles

Submit UK documents for FCDO apostille in the correct format.

6. arrange Greek translations

Translate the apostilled documents according to the municipality’s requirements.

7. send documents for pre-check

Where possible, send scans to the wedding planner or municipality before travelling.

After the wedding in Greece

After the ceremony, you may receive a Greek marriage certificate.

If you need to use that marriage certificate in the UK or another country, it may need Greek apostille, translation or both. UK apostilles cannot be issued on Greek documents. Apostilles are usually issued by the country where the document originated.

If you need an English version for UK use, ask whether a certified translation is required.

How we can help

We can help prepare UK documents for getting married in Greece.

Our service can include checking your document list, advising which documents need apostille, arranging solicitor or notary certification where needed, submitting documents for FCDO apostille and advising on the correct order for Greek translation.

If you have received a checklist from a Greek municipality, wedding planner or venue, send it to us before ordering documents. We can help confirm which UK documents need legalisation and how to avoid delays before your wedding date.