Canadian getting married in Ireland

Mst

My partner is Canadian and we're planning to get married in the summer. We've just been told by the local registry office that he needs to get his birth cert authenticated by the canadian embassy in ireland. This is the first we've heard about this, I've looked at the offical websites and dont see anything anywhere written about this. Has anyone else similar experience of this? He has his passport and drivers license and I dont see why this is necessary. He has to go back to Canada soon and we've been told by the registry that we both need to present ourselves in person with the authenticated birth cert, so at this point I'm not even sure if it will be done on time.
Anyone else from outside Ireland who had to do this before they got married here?

feest

I assume you mean you need an apostille affixed to his birth cert? I'm in a similar situation (American, Irish partner) and asked the HSE when booking our appointment if this was required. I've had to use an apostilled birth cert in Europe on a few occasions...just a way for them to prove the authenticity of the document. But yes, it is required.

Mst

Its probably the same thing. The embassy said that they need to check the signature on the cert. Just strange why a passport isnt enough since you use your birth cert to get a passport anyway. Just wish we had known about it sooner.

feest

It is frustrating, especially with something as time sensitive as the notification process. It just occured to me that my apostille is on a short form birth cert, not my long form one (needed for immigration, but oddly the apostille wasn't needed for that). I just phoned the HSE to check which was required and the guy said "whatever you have is fine". Suspiciously casual answer!

BC

The details of the paperwork needed are available online:

http://www.groireland.ie/getting_married.htm

MazG

You can go ahead with the appointment with the Registrar without all of the documents (if the apostilled birthcert isn't yet done) and then provide the birthcert at a later date. I think once your first visit is more than 3 months before the wedding date, you should be ok. (But you should check this with the registrar)

My OH is from NZ and we had our first appointment with the registrar a few weeks back. His apostilled birthcert has since arrived from NZ so we must call back into them again next week. As far as I am aware, both parties need to attend both visits to the registrar.

Marriage is a legal contract, so they need to ensure that all the correct documents are in place and that both parties are exactly who they claim to be. While it may seem logical that a passport is sufficient to confirm your identity, a birth-cert contains more information such as your parents names and occupations, place of birth and the name of the registrar who registered your birth. While I can't speculate on how long it may take to send your OH's birthcert to Canada, have it apositlled and returned, I can tell you is that it was only about 3 weeks for us.

Best of luck

Mst

I guess I will have to wait and see what the registrar says on tuesday. I see on that website that in some cases they allow couples to post their marriage notification. So I will ask her about that.