Impediments to marriage in Ireland

You must be at least 18 years of age on the date your marriage is solemnised.

A registered solemniser must be satisfied that the parties to the marriage understand the nature of the marriage ceremony and the declarations made by them on the day of the marriage cerermony.

Marriage is a union between two people. If, at the time of the marriage ceremony either party is already validly married to or in a civil partnership with a third party, the marriage is void.

‘Marriage of convenience’ means a marriage where at least one of the parties to the marriage:

• at the time of entry into the marriage is a foreign national and
• enters into the marriage solely for the purpose of securing an immigration advantage for at least one of the parties to the marriage

A person may not marry their:

• grandparent
• grandfather’s spouse
• spouse's grandmother
• parent’s sister
• parent's brother
• parent’s brother’s spouse
• parent’s sister’s spouse
• spouse’s parent’s sister
• spouse’s parent’s brother
• parent
• step-parent
• spouse’s parent
• child
• spouse's child
• child’s spouse
• sibling
• grandchild
• grandchild’s spouse
• spouse's grandchild
• sibling's child
• sibling’s child’s spouse
• spouse’s sibling’s child#

Return to the Get married in Ireland page.