We are delighted to introduce an interesting blog post about planning a destination wedding in beautiful Malta, written by Lisa of Carmela Weddings.

How easy is it to get married in Malta?

Malta is becoming more and more popular as a destination wedding location for UK couples. As a specialist in Maltese weddings, we’re often asked similar questions from potential couples who want to get married in Malta but are worried that it’s too difficult or costly. This is true for many other countries but fortunately, it really isn’t for Malta! Here’s a quick Q&A guide to show you how easy it is and answer the most common questions we get.

Will my wedding be legal in the UK if I get married in Malta?

Simply put - yes it will. Marriages in Malta are subject to the provisions of the Marriage Act, 1975 which means if you are a UK or Irish citizen your wedding in Malta is legally binding under UK and Irish law. This is the same for citizens of most other countries too who want to get married in Malta.

Do I have to live in Malta for a month beforehand? What are the residency requirements?

No, there are no actual residency requirements at all but you do need to visit a registry office a minimum of 2 days before your wedding to show your passports and finalise the ceremony. Most of our couples travel over 2/3 days before their wedding to top up the tan and visit the registrar.

How much paperwork is involved?

There is some paperwork to fill in whether you want a church wedding or a civil wedding and we can assist you with this part as it can look daunting at first. The main document you need is the application, known as an RZ1. This has to be lodged in Valetta or Gozo with the following documents:

• Declarations on oath – called an RZ2. This must be signed in front of a solicitor by both of you and the solicitor must stamp with their seal.
• Original long birth certificate with both parents’ names on. If it doesn’t have both names on, you’ll also need a statutory declaration from someone that knows you and the parents concerned. The solicitor will have to sign this declaration.
• Passport – you can send a photocopy for the application but use your original when you get to Malta.
• If you haven’t been married before then you’ll need a free status certificate – you can get this from your local registrar. They call it a certificate of no impediment.
• If you have been married then you’ll need your decree absolute and previous marriage certificates if you are now divorced. A solicitor will also have to sign an affidavit saying you have not remarried since.
• If you have changed your name, you’ll need the deed poll certificate and if you’re under 18 you’ll need consent from your parents.

Note that the free status certificate and RZ2 are only valid for 3 months!

When do I send all of this in?

The application has to be received at least 6 weeks before the wedding day but no more than 3 months before it. So there’s a small window there. Our advice is to get it all prepared and signed by the solicitor in advance.

Can we come on our own to Malta and get married?

You will need two witnesses who are over 18 to be there. We are often asked to be witnesses for our couples who want to have their wedding completely on their own.

What types of venues are there in Malta?

There is such a variety of venues from vineyards, farmhouses and villas to beachfront pagodas, gardens and grand hotels – there’s a huge choice of venues to have your ceremony and reception.

When is the best time of year to get married in Malta?

Most of our couples decide to get married between April-June or September and October. Average rainfall for June is just 1 day in the month so if it’s weather you’re going for, June is your best bet. It can get very hot in July and August so if you do opt for those months, a late start time for your ceremony of 5pm is recommended.

Is it expensive to get married in Malta?

Malta caters for every type of budget. Over half of our couples get married in Malta because of the lower cost of venues and suppliers so they can stretch their budget further. Saying that, there are options for big budget weddings in Malta and the industry gets bigger there every year as weddings in the sunshine become more popular.