The Marriage Registry regulates all marriages celebrated throughout MALTA and GOZO, whether religious or civil. However, if the marriage ceremony is to take place in Gozo, please contact the Gozo Registry.
THE LAW
Marriages in Malta are subject to the provisions of the Marriage Act of 1975 (Cap 255). This law became effective on the 12th of August 1975. The Law was amended by Acts: XXXIV of 1981, III of 1983, I and XXIV of 1995, IX of 2000, XXXI of 2002, IX of 2004, I of 2005 and III of 2008
CAPACITY TO MARRY
A marriage, whether celebrated in Malta or abroad, shall be valid for all purposes of law in Malta if:-
- The formalities required for the validity of the marriage in the law of the country where the marriage is celebrated are observed;
- Each of the persons to be married is, by law of his or her respective domicile, capable of contracting marriage.
PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN (18)
The minimum age permitted by Law for a person to get married is sixteen (16) years of age. In such cases, the parents have to give their consent in front of a Marriage Officer. The parents will be asked to provide their Identity Cards/Passport/Driving Licence as a means of identification. If one of the parents is deceased, the necessary verifications with the Common Data Base (CdB) will be undertaken by the Marriage Registrar.
MARRIAGES OF CONVENIENCE
The Marriage Law of Malta provides the following:-
- Any person who contracts a marriage with the sole purpose of obtaining:
- Maltese citizenship; or
- Freedom of movement in Malta; or
- A work or residence permit in Malta; or
- The right to enter Malta; or
- The right to obtain medical care in Malta,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
- Any right or benefit obtained by a person convicted of an offence under sub-article (1) on the basis of the marriage referred to in that sub-article (1) may be rescinded or annulled by the public authority from which it was obtained.
ANY PERSON WHO CONTRACTS A MARRIAGE WITH ANOTHER PERSON KNOWING THAT IT IS A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL, ON CONVICTION, BE LIABLE FOR THE SAME PUNISHMENT LAID DOWN IN THE LAWS OF MALTA.
PUBLICATION OF BANNS (TNIDIJIET)
On receipt of your request, we will email you the complete guideline and the access to download the applicable forms, including the RZ1. With your permission, we will apply for the application of the banns and your wedding license.
Couples are required to personally visit the Marriage Registry in Valletta to confirm details and finalise matters before their wedding day, e.g. two (2) days before marriage. One must also produce a valid identification document when calling at the Registry. An appointment has to be fixed weeks in advance.
If, for any reason, the date or the venue has to be changed, please advise the Marriage Registry immediately or at least three weeks before the marriage.
For more information please feel free to ask for the downloads