Marriage Sacrament Ceremony - Procedure Guidelines

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1. Mandatory Documents (for each of the engaged couple):

• Certificate of non-marriage (issued by the parish of residence).

• Certificate of family status.

• Photocopy of ID card (for both the couple and the sponsors/best man or woman).

• Newspaper with the published wedding announcement (full page with complete details).

• Tax ID (AFM), Social Security Number (AMKA), and insurance provider (for both).

• Baptism certificates or birth certificates (for both the couple and the sponsors).

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2. Additional Documents (if required):

• If the wedding will take place in a different parish: Authorization for the wedding and certificate of non-marriage from the parish of residence.

• If a civil marriage has already occurred: Certificate of civil marriage.

• If the couple was already civilly married to each other: Divorce decree (white copy).

• If one of the engaged is a foreign national: Valid passport and residence permit.

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3. Instructions and Notes:

• The certificate of non-marriage is issued in person at the parish, accompanied by two adult witnesses with their ID cards.

• A sworn declaration under Law 1599/1986 must be submitted, according to the priest’s instructions, stating no kinship exists between the couple.

• If the parish does not belong to the Metropolis of Nea Filadelfeia and Chalkidona, validation from the appropriate Metropolis or Archdiocese is required.

• If the wedding takes place at the parish of one of the engaged, the application for the marriage license can be submitted together with the certificate of non-marriage.

• The newspaper with the wedding announcement must be submitted whole, not as a cut-out page.

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4. Special Cases:

For a second or third religious marriage, all documents required for a first marriage are also required, plus:

• If there was a divorce: Divorce decree with the indication “for marriage purposes” (white copy).

• If the previous spouse has passed away: Death certificate and marriage certificate or related documentation of the previous marriage.

For marriage with a non-Orthodox Christian:

• Permitted only if the non-Orthodox is Roman Catholic.

• For other Christian denominations, catechism and baptism into the Orthodox faith are required.

For marriage with a non-Christian:

• Not permitted, unless catechism and baptism into the Orthodox faith are completed beforehand.

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5. Information on the Procedure:

• Contact the priests of the church where the wedding will take place, as well as the parishes of the engaged couple, in a timely manner.

• The marriage license is issued by the Metropolis and takes a few days.

• The application for the license can be submitted by you or the priest.

• After the wedding ceremony, you immediately receive a statement of marriage to be submitted to the Civil Registry of the church’s area.

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6. Spiritual Preparation:

Marriage preparation is not limited to documents, home, clothing, or the celebration. The most important part is spiritual preparation.
Reflect on the significance of the sacrament, the responsibility and blessing of uniting before God.
Entrust your journey to God, and live this unique moment of your life with joy and gratitude.