Weddings in Malta
Château & Villa Weddings has established its own network of experienced, reliable and highly professional Destination Wedding Planners in various European countries. With our network we can save you a great deal of time and money. Read on to find out more about how to get married in Malta.
Our Destination Wedding Planners in Malta have organized over 150 weddings in the past 5 years. The testimonials at the bottom of this page substantiate their experience and professional service offered to make every wedding in Malta successful, memorable and personal.
Simply submit a Request Form to receive a free proposal.
The Maltese Islands have some of the most romantic wedding destinations available in the Mediterranean. Malta's 7000 year history makes it a unique and historic place to hold your European Destination Wedding. Malta is majestically adorned with rich cultural treasures, unique megalithic temples older than the Egyptian Gaza pyramids, whole cities surrounded by massive bastion walls and an amazing architectural heritage.
Malta is located 93km south of Sicily and 288km north of the North African mainland (Tunisia). It is blessed by the Mediterranean weather with hot summer days and crystal clear waters. Winters are mild which allow for year-round flowers and lush countryside.
Malta really is the perfect venue for your special day. Many foreign couples choose Malta not only for its idyllic setting but also because of its cost effectiveness. Malta and Gozo (sister island), unlike most other European wedding destinations, are highly competitive, especially now that low cost airlines have introduced regular charter flights and our partner agency in Malta has negotiated preferential prices with its suppliers.
Simply submit a Request Form to receive a free proposal.
Marriages in Malta are subject to the provisions of the Marriage Act, 1975, which became effective on the 12th August 1975.
Request for the Publication of Banns
According to the said Law, a Request for the Publication of Banns (Form RZ1) must be received by this Registry earlier than six weeks but not more than three months before the date of the intended marriage. One should note that in Malta the Law does not provide for marriage by Special Licence.
Marriage Registry fees
When submitting your request for the publication of banns, you are required to pay in advance a fee equivalent to €75.00 for the services rendered by the Marriage Registrar which includes the celebration of the Marriage at the Marriage Registry.
Should you choose to get married elsewhere in Malta the fee would go up to €93.17 + travel expenses to and from the wedding venue for the wedding celebrant. This fee is not refundable in the event of cancellation of the marriage.
The Request for the Publication of Banns must be accompanied by the Full Birth Certificates (showing parents' names) and the Declarations on Oath (Form RZ2). These declarations are to be signed, on separate forms, by each of the parties either in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths attached to an Embassy of Malta in your country of residence or, alternatively, in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths located in your country (e.g. a Solicitor, a Justice of the Peace, a Notary, etc.).
It is absolutely necessary that the authorized person dates the declaration and affixes his/her personal stamp or seal. Persons who have never been married must produce a Free Status Certificate [if not otherwise specified on the certificate, the expiry date of the certificate will be taken as three (3) months from date of issue] from their local Registrar. If the Registrar cannot issue such a certificate, we require a Statutory Declaration by a third party drawn up in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths. It is absolutely necessary that the solicitor dates the certificate and affixes his/her personal stamp or seal.
Documents require legalization stamps issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the respective country of domicile. Hence, it is advisable to contact the Marriage Registry well in advance to ensure that you procure the right documentation.
Persons previously married
Persons who have been previously married are to provide a Free Status Certificate together with other official documents certifying that such marriage/s is/are no longer binding (e.g. Divorce Judgments, Death Certificate of former spouse, etc.). Regarding Divorces, Annulments, etc., Maltese Law states that:
A decision of a foreign court on the status of a married person or affecting such status shall be recognized for all purposes of law in Malta if the decision is given by a competent court of the country in which either of the parties to the proceedings is domiciled or of which either of such parties is a citizen (Sec.33)
Widowers and divorcees have to prove by means of a Certificate of No Impediment or an Affidavit by a third person drawn up in the presence of a solicitor, that since the death of former spouse... the date of Divorce Absolute, one did not re-marry.
Documents that are not in the Maltese or English language are to be translated and legally authenticated.
There is no residence requirement.
Civil Marriages
Civil Marriages can be celebrated in: The Marriage Registry itself, which is situated at Evans Building, Merchants Street, Valletta or on board a passenger vessel registered in Malta.
A Civil Marriage may also take place at any other place open to the public and which the Registrar accepts as appropriate. Examples of appropriate venues are: Wedding Halls, Conference Rooms and other public areas within hotel precincts.
It must be pointed out that Civil Marriages are not conducted at pool side areas or on private/public, rocky/sandy beaches.
For the actual performance of Civil Marriages, this Registry opens on any day of the week (Monday to Sunday) and after an appointment is made with the couple concerned. It is also your responsibility to make arrangements for at least two witnesses to be present, they must be not less than 18 years old.
Religious Marriages
Religious Marriages are celebrated in the church of one's denomination.
One is advised to make certain of one's place of marriage before requesting the Publication of Banns. One should keep in mind that, in order to change the place of marriage from that originally notified, the Marriage Registry needs at least three weeks' notice.
Capacity to marry
Finally, may we draw your attention to Section 18 of the Marriage Act, 1975, which states that:
A marriage, whether celebrated in Malta or abroad, shall be valid for all purposes of law in Malta if -
(a) as regards the formalities thereof, the formalities required for its validity by the law of the country where the marriage is celebrated are observed;
(b) as regards the capacity of the parties, each of the persons to be married is, by law of his or her respective domicile, capable of contracting marriage.
Because of this Section of the law, may we remind you that, should it be necessary to comply with any marriage laws in order that your marriage may also conform to the laws of your country of domicile, it is your responsibility to take care of such requirements.
Obtaining Marriage Certificates
Subsequently, Marriage Certificates may be obtained by application to the Civil Status Section, Public Registry, Evans Building, Merchants Street, Valletta.
Formal Extracts cost €4.00 each and Full Copies of the original Act of Marriage cost €12.00 each.
There exist no arrangements between this Registry and the Registries of other countries for the registration in those countries of marriages which take place in Malta between two foreign nationals or between Maltese and other nationals. Therefore, if such couples are required to register their marriage in any other country outside Malta, they should effect this registration themselves in the manner described by that particular country's laws.
It is recommended to Apostille the certificates in accordance with the Hague Convention of the 5th October 1961. The Apostilles are issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Valletta... contact person: Mr Kenneth Burnell.
All personal data required is protected and will be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2001
LIST OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Checklist of all documents that have to reach the Marriage Registry
more than six weeks before the date of marriage.
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S - Single |
W - Widowers |
D - Divorcees |
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Groom |
Bride |
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S |
W |
D |
S |
W |
D |
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RZ 1 - Application for the publication of banns |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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RZ 2 - Declaration that there are no impediments |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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Photocopy of ID Card or Passport |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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Original Birth certificates showing parents' names ## |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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Free Status certificate ** |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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Original Certificate of first marriage## |
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o |
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o |
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Original Certificate of death of former spouse ## |
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o |
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o |
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Original Divorce Absolute certificate ## |
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|
o |
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o |
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Affidavit by a 3rd person drawn up in the presence of a solicitor, stating that since death of former spouse / date of divorce, one did not re-marry §§ |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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Photocopy of ID Card or passport of witnesses |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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Parents' consent for minors to marry ◊◊ |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
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Key:
## Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates... these have to be originals or true copies authenticated by the competent authority that issued the document.
## Divorce or Marriage Annulment Court Decisions... these as well have to be originals or true copies authenticated by the Court that delivered the Judgment or Decree.
Any translations required must be duly apostilled or legalized by the competent authority in the country where it was issued in accordance with the 'Hague Apostille Convention'... to which Malta is a party.
** Free Status certificates... in some countries these are also known as indicated below:
- Australia - No Record Result
- Canada - Non Impediment Letter / Notice of Search Marriage
- Egypt - Certificate of Registration of an individual (issued from the Ministry of the Interior)
- France - Certificat de Célibataire
- Germany - Aufenthaltsbescheinigung (Certificate of Residence)
- Italy - Certificato Contestuale
- Russia - The Internal Passport indicates the marital status of the individual....we require an interpretation in writing about this fact from Russian Civil Authorities
- Scotland - Certificate of No Impediment
- Ireland - Certificate of No Impediment / Nulla Osta Certificate
§§ These affidavits are to be drawn up in those instances where Free Status certificates are not issued by the competent authority of the country of domicile.
◊◊ When applicable.
Other countries may require additional documents and at times certain formalities. Please inquire for more information.
Documents required
These documents will be sent to the bride & groom via email by the wedding planner.
[1] Rz1 - to be signed by groom and bride. Bride has to indicate which surname she will be using after marriage.
[2] Rz2 - to be signed by groom and bride in the presence of a solicitor, not earlier than 3 months prior to date of marriage. The Solicitor is to sign, date and stamp the declaration. Please use separate forms.
[3] Groom's and bride's Birth Certificate / Adoption Certificate (showing also parents' names); an original or a true/repeated copy authenticated by the competent authority that issued the document + any Deed Polls.
[4] MARITAL STATUS RELATED CERTIFICATES - certificates are to be issued by your Local Registrar not more than 3 months prior to the intended date of marriage.
[5] PHOTOCOPY of groom's and bride's passport; just the page with the photo + a valid visa
[6] PHOTOCOPY of witnesses' passport (also, please tell us where they live, just the town/city/county and country).
[7] Occupation of spouses.
[8] Marriage Registry fee... to be paid in advance. This can be paid by cheque, payable to THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC REGISTRY... there might be some Bank Charges/Commission, I would add a further 2 Euros to the actual fee
Documents at [3] & [4] above, they can ask to have them issued in the multi-lingual version, otherwise they have to be translated into English by an accredited translator. These documents (the originals and their relative translations) must also be apostilled or legalised by the competent authority in the country where they were issued in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention.
What is an Apostille? "... Examples of public documents for which Apostilles are issued in practice include birth, marriage and death certificates. Apostilles may only be issued by a Competent Authority designated by the State from which the public document emanates. The Apostille is placed by the Competent Authority on the public document itself or on an allonge. The effect of an Apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted, and where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears." (HAGUE APOSTILLE CONVENTION).
Witnesses: If they are flying to Malta alone, it is their responsibility to provide two witnesses during the marriage ceremony. The witnesses must be 18+ years old and must provide either their passport or Identity Card for identification purposes.
Capacity to marry abroad: I advocate that they enquire with their local Marriage Registrar whether they have to do any formalities in their own country so that their marriage in Malta will also be valid and legal in their country of domicile.
The Marriage Registry forms (Rz1 and Rz2), duly filled in, together with the other documents required and the relative Marriage Registry fee should reach this Registry by post not more than 3 months and not less than 6 weeks prior to the date of marriage.
Simply submit a Request Form to receive a free proposal.
Wedding reception venues in Malta
Our Wedding Planner in Malta is continuously seeking unique venues for your perfect wedding. With a wide range of wedding venues available in Malta, we are sure that you will find the venue of your dreams. The type of wedding venues available in Malta include castles, palaces, palazzos, exclusive estates, 5 star hotels, private rooms, beaches and many more...
Simply submit a Request Form to receive venue photos and a free proposal.
Jewelers - VIP appointments are organized for him and her. Whether you wish to purchase a gift or jewelry to compliment the wedding attire, we make sure you will get value for money for top quality gems, stones, rings, watches...
Flowers - a professional floral designer will propose creative ideas to make your wedding ceremony venue and wedding reception venue look beautiful. A wide selection of bridal bouquets and buttonholes are also proposed.
Wedding attire - appointments at bridal gown boutiques and men's bridal attire shops can be arranged for the bridal party to avoid transporting bulky gowns and tuxedos to Malta.
Catering - we have tried and tested the best wedding chefs and caterers on the island to create the best wedding menus for you. Whether you are looking for a relaxed cocktail or a 3/4/5 course seated formal dinner, we can tailor the menu and price to your wishes. Menu tasting appointments can be arranged.
Music - Romantic string musicians for your wedding? Classical singers for that special grand entrance? A choir for the church? A traditional wedding band for the reception? A classic guitar player, saxophonist, etc. We can provide you with the best musicians available in Malta to accompany you throughout your day to make it that must more memorable and fun.
Photographers and videographers - A wedding full of smiles, hugs, tears and joy. Our reportage-style professional wedding photographers and experienced wedding videographers will capture the emotion and special moments of your wedding day ready for you to relive them after your honeymoon.
Hair and make-up - we understand that a bride must look and feel radiant on her wedding day. We provide professional hairdressers and make-up artists in Malta to ensure that the bride is indeed the belle of the ball. Beauty and Spa treatments area also provided for him and her.
Wedding cakes - we also specialize in providing exclusive wedding cakes, whether it is chocolate or almond flavored, heart-shaped or a traditional round tiered cake, we know the professionals who can provide the perfect wedding cake in Malta for you.
Transport - we go to great lengths to provide you with all of your transport requirements for your wedding day. Our trustworthy suppliers are cost-effective, friendly, professional and on time! We can provide private jets, limousine transfers, coaches, horse-drawn carriages, chauffeur driven cars, private mini-bus tours and taxis.
Simply submit a Request Form to receive more information.
Testimonials from satisfied clients
We had it all! support, organisation, efficiency...but it is those little touches that made the difference. We both wanted a dream and you made it come true! Alex & Jean April 2007
We had a wonderful time, everything was organised to the last detail and we had to do nothing but enjoy ourselves! Thanks again. Charles & Jackie January 2007
Just to let you know that we had a fabulous time in Malta. The accommodation was truly superb, great facilities and in an ideal location. All I can say is that it exceeded our expectations. We really appreciate all your efforts in setting up up the day, which was really special. Stefan & Megan February 2007
We had a lovely time, from start to finish you were on hand to help us. Thank you! Olaf & Kristina September 2006