# Getting married in Portugal from the UK: fees and legal steps

Source: https://www.lovebirdsweddings.com/guides/legal-wedding-portugal-uk/

Getting married in Portugal from the UK means arranging a Portuguese marriage file and proving that you are both free to marry. LAW: approval normally gives you 6 months to hold the wedding, and the British CNI exemption applies to residents outside the UK; ADVICE: check which documents match your nationality and where you live.[1](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685d236df85b4b993fd7528d/Notice_-_Marriage_in_Portugal_Jun_2025.pdf)[2](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275)

Last updated 2026-11-12 · By Mia

| Document | Legal purpose | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and birth | LAW: identity and birth evidence[7](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) | Accepted record format |
| Capacity evidence | LAW: freedom to marry[11](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) | CNI, residence and validity |
| Previous marriage | LAW: evidence it ended[12](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) | Foreign-divorce recognition |
| English records | LAW: conditional translation exception[4](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) | Written registry acceptance |
| Foreign records | LAW: qualified authentication rule[13](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) | Apostille requirement |
| Representative authority | LAW: special powers required[14](https://irn.justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Cidadao/Casamento/Organizar-o-casamento) | Accepted authority wording |

| Service | Official fee | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary registry | €120 | Process and registration[9](https://irn.justica.gov.pt/Custos-dos-servicos) |
| Specified ceremony | €200 | Outside registry, out of hours or weekend/holiday[9](https://irn.justica.gov.pt/Custos-dos-servicos) |
| Marriage certificate | €10 / €20 | Online / paper, general purposes[22](https://justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Pedir-certidao-de-casamento) |
| Southwark CNI | GBP 42 sterling | Per applicant; local example[23](https://www.southwark.gov.uk/life-events/marriage-and-civil-partnership/getting-certificate-no-impediment) |

## Questions and answers

### Does a UK passport let us use Portugal's online marriage service?

LAW: a British passport alone does not qualify you for that service. Its eligibility is limited to Portuguese citizens and qualifying Brazilian citizens, so arrange the registry or authorised representative route.[3](https://justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Iniciar-processo-de-casamento)

### Must our English birth certificates be translated?

LAW: English documents can be accepted without translation when the competent official understands English. ADVICE: ask the receiving registry to confirm acceptance of your particular records before buying translations.[4](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275)

### Can we bring 2 friends as witnesses?

LAW: the ordinary civil ceremony can include 2 to 4 witnesses, although they are generally optional. There is an identity-verification exception requiring 2, so confirm the arrangement with your registrar.[5](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275)

### Will the Portuguese marriage give us a UK certificate?

LAW: a marriage performed by Portuguese authorities is registered in Portugal and does not produce a UK marriage certificate. UK recognition depends on compliance with the law where you marry and with UK law.[6](https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships-abroad/register-your-marriage-or-civil-partnership-abroad)

## Sources

1. [British Embassy Lisbon — Marriage in Portugal notice, June 2025](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/685d236df85b4b993fd7528d/Notice_-_Marriage_in_Portugal_Jun_2025.pdf) — accessed 2026-11-12.
2. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
3. [Justiça — Iniciar processo de casamento](https://justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Iniciar-processo-de-casamento) — accessed 2026-11-12.
4. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
5. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
6. [GOV.UK — Getting your foreign marriage or civil partnership certificate](https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships-abroad/register-your-marriage-or-civil-partnership-abroad) — accessed 2026-11-12.
7. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
8. [IRN — Organizar o casamento](https://irn.justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Cidadao/Casamento/Organizar-o-casamento) — accessed 2026-11-12.
9. [IRN — Custos dos serviços: marriage tariffs 3.1–3.5](https://irn.justica.gov.pt/Custos-dos-servicos) — accessed 2026-11-12.
10. [Wandsworth Council — Getting married abroad](https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/registration-services/marriage-and-civil-partnership/getting-married-abroad/) — accessed 2026-11-12.
11. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
12. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
13. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
14. [IRN — Organizar o casamento](https://irn.justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Cidadao/Casamento/Organizar-o-casamento) — accessed 2026-11-12.
15. [GOV.UK — Get your document legalised](https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised) — accessed 2026-11-12.
16. [Justiça — Iniciar processo de casamento](https://justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Iniciar-processo-de-casamento) — accessed 2026-11-12.
17. [Southwark Council — Getting a certificate of no impediment](https://www.southwark.gov.uk/life-events/marriage-and-civil-partnership/getting-certificate-no-impediment) — accessed 2026-11-12.
18. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
19. [Diário da República — Código do Registo Civil, consolidated](https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/1995-34525275) — accessed 2026-11-12.
20. [GOV.UK — Getting your foreign marriage or civil partnership certificate](https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships-abroad/register-your-marriage-or-civil-partnership-abroad) — accessed 2026-11-12.
21. [GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales: give notice](https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/give-notice) — accessed 2026-11-12.
22. [Justiça — Pedir certidão de casamento](https://justica.gov.pt/Servicos/Pedir-certidao-de-casamento) — accessed 2026-11-12.
23. [Southwark Council — Getting a certificate of no impediment](https://www.southwark.gov.uk/life-events/marriage-and-civil-partnership/getting-certificate-no-impediment) — accessed 2026-11-12.