Casamento em Portugal

2021-12-13   Published by: Dra. Ana Quintana

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MARRIAGE IN PORTUGAL:

 

1. How long does the civil marriage procedure take?

As a rule, the minimum period is 30 days. However, it will depend on the type of wedding you want (with an external civil ceremony or not) and whether the process will have to be supervised by the SEF – Foreigners and Borders Service.

2. Can the marriage application be denied? Yes, the request can be denied when all the requested documentation is not delivered or when there is some incompatibility, such as the request. Additionally, additional documents may be requested if the Civil Registry has doubts about the legality of the marriage application.

3. Where will the ceremony be held? The ceremony can be held at the Civil Registry Office or at a location chosen by the bride and groom. In the latter case, the Notary charges extra travel fees.

4. How long does the ceremony last? A civil ceremony takes between 10 and 20 minutes.

5. Property Regime: The property regime defines the legal rights of possession and property during marriage. In Portugal, any marriage without a prenuptial contract will be subject to the general regime of shared property (Communion of Acquired), that is, everything acquired during the time of marriage belongs to both. If neither the bride nor the groom have Portuguese nationality or residency in Portugal, Portuguese law does not apply to the property regime. What defines the property regime to be applied is the first common residence after marriage.

6. Name Change: Name changes must be in accordance with the law of each fiance's home country. If you are Portuguese, you will be able to change your name during your marriage with the options to add one or two surnames to your own surname. If you are not Portuguese, you must request a name change when registering the marriage in the country of origin.

7. Translator: if you do not speak Portuguese, you will be required to have an interpreter. Our team can provide a translator if needed.

8. Marriage certificate: After the ceremony, the newlyweds will be given a certificate of registration at the Conservatory. If you need this apostilled certificate, we can also provide it.

 

 

For more information on the subject, contact our office and request a personalized consultation.