EDGE San Francisco

Traveling abroad, meeting someone special; it’s love at first sight and he proposes, you accept. You happen to be visiting Spain and same-sex marriages are legal. Could you get married there?

Here are the requirements to marry in Spain:

1. A Spanish citizen may marry a non-Spaniard regardless of whether that person’s homeland recognises the partnership; same-sex marriage is permitted provided one of the couple is a Spanish citizen.
2. Or, two non-Spaniards may marry if they both have legal residence in Spain, which means proof of having lived in Spain for two years.

Documents you will need:

+ Current valid passport (for non-Spanish applicants).
+ Original birth certificates, with sworn Spanish translation if that is not the original language (traduccion jurada).
+ Proof of being free to marry (Certificado de Capacidad Matrimonial). Provide marriage and divorce, annulment or death certificates of any prior marriage, a Consular office may be able to help with this).
+ Proof of Spanish residency (residence card) - this is needed only if neither person is a Spanish citizen.
+ Certificate of residence (Certificado de Empadronamiento), proving residence in Spain of at least two years (available from the Town Hall), if neither person is a Spanish citizen.

It is essential to consult the local authority (Civil Registry, District Court or Town Hall) with jurisdiction over where the marriage is to be held to find out what documentation will be required. Some follow strict requirements for documentation, while others are more liberal.

The bottom line is this: if you go to Spain, get swept off your feet by a good-looking Spaniard, you could end your trip being married!