• Preliminaries to marriage vary according to the method of solemnization. This guide provides general guidance but if you need further information please contact a Registrar of Marriages in your district or the General Register Office in Belfast.
  • Notice throughout this guide means notice of intended marriage.
  • Fees payable are set out in the fees section.

Section C
Roman Catholic Church

1. The procedures for marriages according to the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church, where both parties are Roman Catholics, is in general regulated by the law of that church. Information on the steps to be taken should be obtained from a Roman Catholic clergman.
2. The following provisions in connection with marriages in Roman Catholic churches are provided for in the Irish Marriages Acts.

   Licence

3. A licence may be obtained from a licenser appointed by a Bishop. It may be issued for marriage in a Roman Catholic church in cases where
   • both parties are Roman Catholics, or
   • one party is a Roman Catholic. In this case, notice must be given to the licenser seven days before the issue of licence, who must send copies of the notice to the clergyman of the place of worship which each party regularly attends.

   Registrar's certificate

4. A Registrar's certificate may authorise a marriage in a Roman Catholic church within the Registration district between a Roman Catholic and a person who is not a Roman Catholic. This method is not available if both parties are Roman Catholics.
5. For the procedure relating to Registrar's certificate see Section E.