Gibraltar Wedding Questions, Answered.

No. Under the Gibraltar Marriage Act, a Special Licence allows residents and non-residents alike to marry in Gibraltar. Non-residents must give the Registrar documentary evidence, no later than the day before the ceremony, that they are staying in Gibraltar for at least one night immediately before or immediately after the ceremony — a hotel bill or paid booking, or a signed statement from a Gibraltar resident hosting you.

Originals only. Every couple must show a passport or national identity card and a full birth certificate showing both parents' names (or an adoption certificate). If you were previously married or in a civil partnership, you must also produce the original court-stamped decree absolute, annulment, dissolution or nullity order, plus the previous marriage or civil partnership certificate (female applicants). Widows and widowers must add the death certificate of their late spouse. Any change of name needs official evidence, and the Registrar will ask for proof that you are legally resident in your own country. Unverified photocopies, scans and laminated documents are refused.

Any foreign-language document that is not a multi-language certificate must be accompanied by an officially certified English translation. The translation must confirm that it is accurate, carry the translator's full name and original signature, and bear the translator's or agency's stamp and contact details.

As published by the Government of Gibraltar (Ceremony Guidance Notes, August 2025): Special Licence £121; ceremony at the Registry Office £182; ceremony at an approved outside venue, weekday evenings and Saturdays, £302; Mayor's Parlour £528 (of which £165 is payable separately to Gibraltar Cultural Services); marriage or civil partnership certificate £36 each; confirmation letter issued on the day £18.50; apostille £36; postage outside Gibraltar £18.50; change of date £51.50. Registrar's Certificate and Notice, for residents only, are £61 each. Fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and must be paid in full at least ten working days before the ceremony.

Registry ceremonies are held at the Mario Finlayson Gallery in the City Hall, Monday to Thursday 10:00–14:30 and Friday 10:00–14:00, with a maximum of 30 people including the Registrar, the couple and the two witnesses. The Mayor's Parlour holds up to 80 people and hosts ceremonies Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 13:00. Approved outside venues are available on weekdays between 16:00 and 19:00 and on Saturdays between 10:00 and 19:00, in hourly slots.

Two witnesses must be present at every ceremony to witness the vows and sign the register. They may be relatives, friends or colleagues, must be over 18, must be able to speak and understand English, and must be acceptable to the Registrar. The Registry Office does not provide witnesses and its staff cannot act as witnesses.

Yes. Both of you must attend the Registry Office at Leanse Place before midday on a working day prior to the ceremony to present your original documents, apply for the Special Licence and submit two affidavits — one per person — sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths or a Notary Public in Gibraltar, who charges separately for that service. Affidavits must be handed in before 1pm, and documents may be submitted up to three months in advance.

Bookings are welcomed up to a year in advance, and June to September is the busiest period. A date is only firm once the fees have been paid — until then it can be taken by another couple.

Yes. No ceremonies take place on Gibraltar public holidays, during Easter week or during the week before Christmas. Ceremonies resume shortly after the New Year, and arrangements for early-January dates must be completed before the Christmas break.

The certificate is issued between ten and fifteen working days after the ceremony and costs £36 per copy. A confirmation letter can be provided on the day for £18.50, and an apostille can be placed on the reverse of the certificate for £36 — useful when your home country requires it for recognition. Certificates can be posted outside Gibraltar for £18.50.

If you do not live in Gibraltar and are not an EEA national you may need a visa, and a ceremony booking does not by itself entitle you to enter. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory but is outside the Schengen area and outside the UK's immigration rules on entry and stay, so check current requirements with the Gibraltar Borders and Coastguard Agency before booking travel.

They reflect the Government of Gibraltar's official Ceremony Guidance Notes at the date shown on this page and can change at any time. We always reconfirm the current rules and fees with the Registry before you commit to travel, and the final decision on any application rests with the Registrar.

Yes. Gibraltar is well known for welcoming couples who live elsewhere, and there is no requirement to be a resident. The exact documents and notice requirements depend on your nationalities and personal situation, so we confirm the current official list with you before you book travel.

A Gibraltar civil marriage is a legally registered marriage and is widely recognised internationally. Recognition is ultimately a matter for the country where you want the marriage registered, so we recommend checking with your local authority and, where required, obtaining an apostille on your certificate.

The ceremony itself is booked with the Gibraltar Registry Office, and the date depends on their availability. Rock Horizon helps you choose realistic dates, prepare the paperwork and coordinate everything around the ceremony.

Typically valid passports plus documents evidencing your civil status — for example a decree absolute if you are divorced, or a death certificate if you are widowed. Requirements vary by nationality and change over time, so always confirm against the official Government of Gibraltar guidance.

A Special Licence is the mechanism that allows couples to marry without the standard residence or notice waiting period normally required. Whether it applies to you depends on your circumstances and current official rules; we help you understand the process and prepare accordingly.

Many couples arrive a day or two before the ceremony. The minimum depends on the route you use and the current official requirements, which we confirm in writing before you commit to flights.

For a specific date — especially in spring and summer, or on a Friday or Saturday — three to six months is comfortable. Shorter timescales are frequently possible.

Often yes, subject to Registry availability and your paperwork being in order. Tell us your dates and we will tell you honestly what is realistic.

Civil ceremonies take place at the Registry Office and at other locations approved for marriages. Options change from time to time, so we review the currently approved list with you alongside your budget and guest numbers.

Ceremonies can be held at approved venues beyond the Registry Office, subject to authorisation and availability. We will explain which options are currently available for your date.

Civil ceremonies require witnesses to be present and to sign the register. The number required is set by the current official rules — we confirm it for your ceremony type before the day.

No. Witnesses do not need to be Gibraltar residents; they need to meet the applicable requirements and be present at the ceremony with valid identification.

Yes, family members and friends can normally act as witnesses provided they satisfy the applicable requirements and bring valid identification.

Witnesses must be adults under the applicable rules. We confirm the current age requirement with you in advance.

Witnesses need to understand what they are witnessing and signing. Our witnesses speak English, and we can also communicate with you in French or Spanish.

Where the applicable Gibraltar requirements are satisfied, we can arrange suitable witnesses for your ceremony. Acceptance always remains a matter for the Registrar, so we never guarantee an outcome on their behalf.

Tell us as soon as you know. Provided there is time and the requirements are met, we will do our best to arrange a replacement so your ceremony can go ahead.

Practical coordination around your ceremony: witnesses, accommodation, photography, flowers, transport, restaurants and private dining, plus general help with the sequence of the day.

Yes. Many couples ask us to coordinate everything around the ceremony so they have one contact in Gibraltar from the first enquiry to the celebration.

Absolutely. Some couples only need witnesses and accommodation; others want the full arrangement. Our packages are starting points, not rigid formulas.

Yes. Tell us your date, guest numbers and what matters most to you, and we will build a personalised proposal.

We help you understand what is required, prepare your documents and keep the sequence on track. We do not submit or decide anything on the authorities' behalf.

No. Rock Horizon provides administrative and practical coordination. Where legal advice or services from an authorised professional are required, we coordinate with the appropriate professional rather than presenting ourselves as legal advisers.

Yes, subject to availability — either within our own properties or through our network of partner properties and accommodation providers.

Yes. Tell us how many people are travelling and the type of accommodation they need, and we will explore the available options together.

Yes. Coordinating several apartments for one group is something we do regularly through our property work.

Yes — combining your ceremony and your stay is one of the main advantages of organising with a local property team.

Yes, we can arrange details such as flowers or a welcome arrangement on arrival. Tell us what you have in mind.

Yes. Extended stays before or after the wedding are straightforward for us to organise.

Yes. From an intimate lunch to a private dining room for your group, we coordinate with venues we know locally.

Yes. We suggest options that fit your group size, budget and the timing of your ceremony, then handle the reservation.

Yes, private dining is available at a number of venues and we can also explore in-apartment options.

Yes — bouquets, buttonholes and arrangements, coordinated with local florists.

Yes. We work with photographers who know Gibraltar's best light and locations.

Yes, subject to availability for your date.

Yes, we can coordinate hair and makeup around your ceremony timing.

Yes — transfers for the couple and for guests, including airport arrivals.

Yes, we can arrange a cake to your preferences and deliver it to your venue.

Yes, subject to venue rules and availability. Tell us the atmosphere you want.

Yes — Rock tours, boat trips, dolphin watching and dinners are all popular around a wedding weekend.

That is exactly who we work with. Most of our couples plan from abroad and rely on us as their people on the ground.

We communicate directly in English, French and Spanish. This website is also available in Italian, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian and Simplified Chinese.

Yes, French is one of our direct working languages.

Yes, Spanish is one of our direct working languages.

Yes. Everything can be arranged by email, phone, WhatsApp or video call before you travel.

Yes. We help align arrivals, transfers and accommodation so everyone is in the right place at the right time.

It depends on the type of ceremony, the number of guests and the services you add. Costs fall into distinct groups: government fees, Rock Horizon coordination fees, venue fees, third-party supplier fees and accommodation. We set these out separately so you always know what you are paying for.

Each package lists its inclusions on the packages page. Anything not listed is quoted separately so there are no assumptions.

Government fees are set by the authorities and are shown separately from our coordination fees unless a package explicitly states otherwise.

Yes, a deposit confirms your date and allows us to reserve suppliers. The amount and terms are stated in your written proposal.

Yes, subject to availability. Many couples start with the essentials and add photography, flowers or dinner later.

Yes. Send us your date, guest numbers and wishes and we will prepare a written, itemised quotation.

The certificate is issued by the Gibraltar authorities after your ceremony. We explain the current process and help you collect it or arrange onward delivery.

We can help you understand and coordinate the apostille process where your home country requires one for recognition.

Yes, documents can be forwarded by tracked courier once issued.

Yes. We remain your contact in Gibraltar for anything that still needs doing once you are back home.