Getting married at the Polish consulate in Cyprus. Who can marry?

A wedding at a Polish consulate in Cyprus is possible and has the same legal force as a marriage concluded before the head of the Civil Registry Office in Poland. This option is mainly used by Poles living on the island who want to get married without having to travel to the country.

However, not everyone can take advantage of this procedure. Regulations specify who can marry before a consul and what formalities must be completed beforehand.

Who can get married at a Polish consulate?

Only two people with Polish citizenship may enter into marriage before a consul.

If one of the engaged couples is not a Polish citizen, a wedding ceremony before a consul is not possible. In such a situation, the marriage must be solemnized in accordance with the regulations in force in Cyprus or before the Registrar of Civil Registry Offices in Poland.

What documents are needed?

The engaged couple must personally submit the required documents to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nicosia.

Most often these are:

• valid Polish passport or ID card,
• a copy of the birth certificate, if the data is not included in the Polish Civil Registry,
• a document confirming the termination or annulment of a previous marriage – if applicable,
• written assurance that there are no circumstances that would prevent the marriage from being concluded,
• data of two adult witnesses.

In individual cases, the consul may ask for additional documents or to complete the data in the Polish Civil Status Register in advance.

How long in advance do you need to report to the consulate?

Documents must be submitted in person at least one month before the planned wedding date.

This deadline results from the regulations and, in principle, cannot be shortened.

In practice, this means that two visits to the consulate are necessary:

• first – in order to submit documents and required declarations,
• the second – after at least one month, during the marriage ceremony.

During the summer season, it is worth making an appointment well in advance.

How much does a wedding at the consulate cost?

The consular fee for the entire procedure, including the acceptance of assurances, preparation of documentation and the acceptance of declarations of entering into marriage, is 600 euro.

The fee amount is specified in the applicable table of consular fees.

Can you organize a wedding on the beach?

NO.

A wedding ceremony before a consul is an official act and takes place exclusively at the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nicosia.

The ceremony is civil in nature and takes place in the presence of two witnesses.

It is not possible to hold a wedding on the beach, in a hotel, restaurant or anywhere else outside the consulate.

What happens after the wedding?

After the marriage is concluded, the documentation is forwarded to the appropriate Civil Registry Office in Poland.

After registering the marriage, the spouses can receive a Polish copy of the marriage certificate, which is the official confirmation of the marriage in accordance with Polish law.

Is a marriage concluded before a consul valid in Poland?

Yes.

A marriage concluded before a Polish consul has the same legal effects as a civil marriage concluded in Poland. It is not a symbolic ceremony, but a fully-fledged marriage in accordance with Polish law.

The legal basis is the provisions of the Consular Law, the Civil Status Acts Law and the Family and Guardianship Code.

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Frequently asked questions

Can anyone get married at the Polish consulate in Cyprus?

No. Both engaged couples must have Polish citizenship.

How much does a wedding at the consulate cost?

The consular fee for the entire procedure is 600 euros.

How long in advance do you need to report to the consulate?

Documents must be submitted at least one month before the planned wedding date.

Can a wedding take place on the beach?

No. The ceremony takes place exclusively at the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nicosia.

Is a marriage concluded before a consul valid in Poland?

Yes. This is a full-fledged civil marriage with the same legal effects as a marriage concluded before the head of the Civil Registry Office in Poland.