The main address for this site is http://expat.silvert.org. All other sites are mirrors and may be out-of-date.

Marriage in Portugal

If you want to get married in Portugal be prepared for problems and delays. My wife and I were unsuccessful and had to get married in Gibraltar, as were many other couples we know.

The problem is greater if one of you was divorced in the US or Canada, since they will require a US or Canadian divorce certificate and will not accept one from Missouri or Manitoba, places they have never heard of and which do not have embassies in Portugal.

I am told that if you are Catholics and plan a religious wedding it is much easier, since then it is the Church which handles the arrangements and not the state. But then you shouldn't have the divorce issue to worry about anyway!

For details on our marriage adventure, take a look at our photo album.

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