Expert: Hugh O'Rourke - 9/28/2009

Question
We would like to get married in Ireland-we want to be married in "House of God" but not Catholic as neither of us can be married in a catholic church by a priest--we are in need of what is necessary to accomplish this-I am told we need to know who our witnesses will be and their date of birth etc-it will be just the two of us traveling there-how do we get witnesses?-Can you direct me to someone that can help us with this?  thank you Jeanne Hansen

Answer
Dear Jeanne

Thank you for your interest in Ireland.

Getting married here is made quite difficult by state requirements.

The civil (government) registration office requires all documentation to be lodged three months before the wedding. the couple must also complete a pre marriage course approved by the government to ensure they are fully aware of the responsibilities of marriage.
The couple must also have a face to face attendance at the registration office three months before the marriage.

These registration offices are established separately in each county and requirements vary a little from county to county.

So for your wedding in any House of God you would first need to have completed the civil requirements. Probably the best course of action would be to choose a preferred location for the wedding and then explore in depth necessary steps.

There are a couple of "priests" specialising in weddings for people who have difficulties  with established churches but they tend to be expensive and I am not sure about either the civil or ecclesiatical validity of the ceremonies.

Many couples wishing to be married in Ireland choose to have the civil elements completed in their own jurisdictions and then have the marriage blessed in a church ceremony in Ireland.

If you indicate a preferred location  I can explore the potential local church/state issues  further

kind regards
hugh