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Marriage in Ireland is a constitutionally valued institution and the law confers unique rights and obligations on those who wish to marry. In consequence, all couples are required by law to adhere to certain conditions before they wed. Specifically, both must be eighteen years of age or older, not already validly married, not related blood or marriage, and be of the opposite sex.

With the passing of the 1995 Family Law Act, an additional requirement was mandated. Couples must now notify, in writing, the Registrar, in the district in which they wish to be married, of their intent to marry and such notification must be given not less than 3 months prior to the date on which their marriage is to be solemnised.

This new change pertains to all couples, regardless of whether they plan to be married by religious or civil ceremony, unless an exemption is granted by the High Court under Section 33, of the Family Law Act 1995.

Notification of intent to marry may be given to the Registrar in two ways:

1) Both of you may write jointly or separately to the Registrar for the district in which your marriage will be celebrated, supplying your names and addresses, your dates of birth, the name of the church or place where, your marriage will take place, and the date on which your marriage will take place; or

2) You may complete and return a pre-printed form which is provided by the Registrar's office.

No matter how your notification is given, your paperwork must be signed by both of you in order to be accepted.

Fine Points:

• Keep in mind that the three month notification period does not commence until your paperwork has been received by the Registrar.
• The Registrar will notify each of you in writing with an acknowledgement confirming the date of receipt of the notification.
• You must keep the document sent to you by the Registrar and produce it, when required, to the person celebrating your marriage.
• All other legal marriage preliminaries must be complied with.