In short: a legally binding civil marriage in Spain normally requires at least one partner to be a legal resident of the municipality, plus several weeks of paperwork. Because of that, the great majority of UK and Irish couples marry legally at home — a short register-office appointment — and have their wedding celebration in Lanzarote with a celebrant-led ceremony. It looks and feels exactly like a legal wedding. This guide explains every route.
Route 1 — Symbolic ceremony in Lanzarote + legal marriage at home (recommended)
You give notice at your local register office in the UK or Ireland (28 full days’ notice in England & Wales; similar elsewhere) and complete the legal marriage there, before or after your trip. In Lanzarote you have a personalised, celebrant-led ceremony in the gardens: your vows, your readings, your music, in any language, at any time of day.
- Pros: no Spanish residency, no translation or legalisation of documents, total freedom over the ceremony, quick to organise.
- Cons: two “moments” rather than one — though the home appointment is usually just witnesses and 15 minutes.
Route 2 — Legal civil marriage in Spain
Possible, but generally practical only if one of you can register as a resident (empadronamiento) in the municipality for the required period. You must obtain, translate (by a sworn translator) and legalise (apostille) a set of documents, and attend an interview at the Civil Registry. Allow two to three months, sometimes more. We can introduce you to a local lawyer who handles the process.
Route 3 — Catholic church wedding
Available to practising Catholics. Your home parish prepares the pre-nuptial enquiry file (with baptism and confirmation certificates and a pre-marriage course certificate) and sends it to the Diocese of the Canary Islands. A Catholic ceremony can also be recognised as legally valid in Spain if the additional civil paperwork is completed. Start at least six months ahead. See church & religious weddings in Lanzarote.
Route 4 — Church of Norway and other national churches
Norwegian couples can marry through the Norwegian Seamen’s Church (Sjømannskirken), which covers the Canary Islands, using a prøvingsattest from the Norwegian Tax Administration. Other national churches have their own procedures — ask us. See Norwegian & Nordic weddings.
Documents you are likely to need
| Document | Symbolic + legal at home | Legal civil marriage in Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passports | Yes | Yes |
| Full (long-form) birth certificates | For home notice | Yes — apostilled & sworn-translated |
| Certificate of no impediment / freedom to marry | For home notice | Yes — apostilled & sworn-translated |
| Proof of address | Yes | Yes |
| Empadronamiento (residency registration) | No | Yes — for at least one partner |
| Decree absolute / death certificate (if previously married) | Yes | Yes — apostilled & sworn-translated |
Typical timeline
- 12–18 months before: book the venue and date at El Jardín de Teguise.
- 6–12 months: decide your route, book the celebrant or start the church file, choose suppliers.
- ~3 months: give notice at your home register office (Route 1).
- Final 4–6 weeks: confirm running order, final numbers and paperwork.
How we help
Our Lanzarote wedding planner tells you exactly which route fits your situation, recommends a celebrant, minister or lawyer, and builds the timeline around your paperwork. See the ceremony options or ask us a question.
This is general guidance, not legal advice, and rules change. Always confirm the current requirements with your local register office, the Spanish consulate or a Spanish lawyer before booking travel.