Getting married in Monaco: what it actually takes
Who can marry in the Principality, the one rule that surprises most couples, and the right order to do things in, from the first document to the day itself.
The short answer first: you can’t simply arrive and get married. Monaco performs a civil wedding only if at least one of you is Monegasque, or is domiciled, or has been staying continuously, in the Principality for more than a month by the time the banns are published. That’s article 139 of the Monegasque Civil Code, quoted on the Mairie de Monaco’s own website.
How long does it take to get married in Monaco?
Two clocks run before any ceremony. The first is the residence clock: the month of continuous presence (or Monegasque nationality) has to apply to one of you before the banns are published. The second is the publication clock: under article 52 the banns are posted for ten days, and the wedding can only take place after that. Neither clock can be sped up, by enthusiasm or by a planner, which is why we tell couples to start with the paperwork rather than the date.
Where and when do civil weddings take place?
Civil weddings take place at the Mairie de Monaco: on weekdays between 10:00 and 16:00, and on Saturday mornings between 10:00 and 11:30. The Mairie itself recommends booking several months ahead, especially for Saturday mornings between May and October. If you were imagining a Saturday ceremony in June, that sentence is the most important one in this guide.
Which documents do you need?
The exact list isn’t something to take from any website, ours included. It depends on your nationalities and circumstances, and the authoritative version comes from the Mairie’s civil registry office. What’s true for everyone is that foreign documents take time. Issuing, legalising and translating them involves more than one office in more than one country, and some expire while you wait. Ask for your list before you set your heart on a date.
Is a marriage in Monaco recognised in your country?
A wedding abroad is only half the process: the marriage then has to be recognised in your own country. Italians know this as the trascrizione: the Monegasque certificate is sent through the consulate to the registers of their comune. Other countries have their own version of the same procedure. Whoever plans your wedding should be able to explain the route for your nationality before you commit to anything.
Can you sign at home and celebrate here?
Many couples hold the civil ceremony in their own country and the celebration on the coast. It takes the residence rule out of the equation and frees up the calendar completely. Nothing about the day itself needs to change. The vows, the dinner and the view stay exactly as planned; only the signing happens elsewhere, and earlier.
Source
Mairie de Monaco, “Se marier à Monaco”, consulted on 12 August 2026. Articles 139 and 52 of the Civil Code are quoted there, along with the hours for ceremonies. Rules change, so the source is linked for you to check on the day you read this.