Legal paper and apostille stamp for American citizens in Greece for a civil wedding in Greece
1.Copies of bride and groom's passports.
2.Bride’s and groom's full birth certificates (shorter versions are not acceptable). These copies must be validated within six months of the wedding date. Greek translations are required.
Birth Certificates originating from five boroughs within New York City (Bronx, Kings, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island) are acceptable for an Apostille stamp only if they are long form Birth Certificates and are accompanied by a Letter of Exemplification.
3.A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage must be provided for both the bride and groom. This document confirms that you have never been married and are free to marry. It can be obtained at your local Registry or Statistics Office, and must be issued within three months of the wedding date. Greek translations are required.
4.An affidavit indicating that you are free to marry, sworn by each party. This document declares that you are free to marry, and that there is no known impediment preventing your valid marriage in Greece (naming the location, you have selected). One is required for each party. It can be obtained from your local public notary, and must be issued within three months of the wedding date. Greek translation is required (including apostille stamps).
5.A Marriage License is required for each party. It can be obtained from your local Town Hall / Registrar's Office / Statistics Office, and must be issued within three months of the wedding date. Greek translations are required.
6.Divorce Certificate(s) / Decree(s), for divorced parties. Certified copies of each divorce is required, as are Greek translations.
7.Deed poll / name change / adoption papers are required for each party (if applicable) in certified copies. Greek translations are required.
8.An apostille stamp is the seal of relevant the State / Country / Commonwealth office in accordance to the Hague Convention; it allows the stamped document to be used officially in a foreign country. This stamp refers to the relevant legislation and indicates the validity of the document for international use. All above-mentioned documents must be stamped with an apostille.
9.All the above documents (with the exception of passport copies), and including their apostille stamps, must be provided in Greek translation and certified by the Greek Embassy / Consulate in your country.
10.Official translations can be prepared at your local Greek Embassy or consulate. If this is not possible for those staying in the five boroughs within New York City (Bronx, Kings, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island) you can sent your documents to us via mail or courier service, and we will arrange for them to be translated for you. The fee for this service depends on the number of pages to be translated (please ask for more details).
All documents must be sent eight weeks prior to your wedding in Greece, to allow us to confirm that all paperwork is in order.
All documents must have an apostille stamp otherwise are not valid
You must remain in Greece for at least one business day after your wedding, as you will need to sign your Marriage Certificate at the local town hall.
Two weeks after the ceremony, you will receive an officially signed Marriage Certificate in Greek. Please contact your local authority and ask what they require in order to accept a Greek Marriage License as binding (for example translation into your language, apostille stamp, or other action in accordance with legislation).