Age requirements for marriage

Information

If you are ordinarily resident in the Irish State, the minimum age at which you may marry is 18 years (unless you have a Court Exemption Order). This is the case even if you marry outside of Ireland. Even if you are not ordinarily resident in the Irish State, you must be over 18 years of age if you wish to marry someone in Ireland who is ordinarily resident in the State.

Rules

If either party is under 18 (and doesn't have a Court Exemption Order) the marriage will not be recognised under Irish law. There is no longer any requirement for parental consent to a marriage, irrespective of the ages of the parties concerned.

Unless you are very young, you will probably not be asked to provide proof of your age. However, if requested to do so, you must provide evidence of age (for example, a Birth Certificate). If you don't, then the Registrar or other relevant official will refuse to proceed with the marriage. If the marriage does go ahead despite the fact that one or both parties are underage, it will be void in law. A Registrar or other person solemnising the marriage who knowingly breaches these age requirements is liable, if convicted, to a fine of up to 635 euro.

Court Exemption Order

In certain special circumstances, you may be able to get a Court Exemption Order allowing the marriage to proceed even if one or both parties are under 18. The court will require you to show:

• that there are good reasons for your application
• that the granting of such an Exemption Order is in the best interests of the parties to the intended marriage.

How to apply

You should contact either the Circuit Family Court or the High Court for details on how to proceed. This is an informal procedure. You may apply in person (without hiring a solicitor). There is no court charge for an application for a Court Exemption Order. However, if you hire a solicitor to represent you, you will have to pay him/her.

Where to apply