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A Marriage Processing Guide in Buenos Aires

Last updated: Monday, September 15, 2025

Introduction

As Valentine’s Day is approaching, consider getting married in Buenos Aires! Not only will this be a memorable celebration of your love, but it can also get you Argentine residency through the sponsorship of your life partner. This can mean navigating legal procedures and getting married in the Paris of Latin America. This applies to all marriages, including same-sex marriages, which have been legally recognized in Argentina since 2010. To be eligible for the Argentine residency application, please ensure you meet the basic marriage requirements, such as age and proper documentation, and choose a captivating venue. Navigate the legal formalities at the Civil Registry. Here, you can schedule an appointment to request a marriage registration at the Civil Registry. After two years of the required legal residency period, you will be able to apply for Argentine citizenship. Following a beautiful ceremony, register your marriage promptly and, if applicable, familiarize yourself with the process of applying for citizenship. Language assistance and professional guidance can prove invaluable in ensuring a seamless and joyous transition into marital life in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. If neither of you speaks Spanish, you might need an interpreter’s assistance.

Essential Requirements

Before you dive into the thrilling journey of marriage in Argentina, it’s crucial to make sure you meet the essential requirements. This fundamental step ensures that the process goes smoothly, allowing you to fully enjoy this special moment. In this section, we will explore in detail the necessary documentation and other compulsory requirements, providing you with key information to start your journey towards marital commitment in an informed and successful manner.

1. In case one individual of the married couple is an Argentinian citizen, with their National Identity Document (DNI) in hand, then the DNI is not an impediment to getting married in Argentina, so it does not need to be changed; however, you must fill out a temporary residence declaration form at a notary public (it can be the address of any relative within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires). For example, if the DNI was issued by a consulate in any other country, and the address is not Argentinian, then the Applicant doesn’t need to change it to the local address to submit for the marriage. The main thing is that the ID card is valid.

2. Certificate of single status (Affidavit of Single Status or similar), issued in the foreign country, apostilled and then translated in Argentina by a certified public translator.  In case your second partner divorced or his/her ex-spouse’s death, then the Certificate of single status must have annotations. 

3. Certificate of residence or proof of address for foreigners. Below, we will explain how to get it in detail. 

4. The minimum age for marriage is 18 years; however, if otherwise, consent from parents, legal guardians, or the court will be required.

If you are a foreigner and don’t have a DNI, 

  • Valid passport.
  • You need a Precaria at least issued by the National Directorate of Migration

 

Marriage Between an Argentine and a Foreigner

In the case of a marriage between an Argentine citizen and a foreigner, the address of the resident person is recorded, and a valid passport is requested from the other member of the couple to complete the documentation. In this case, the Argentine citizen, with an Argentine national identity card but residing abroad, must present a notarized certificate of residence before a notary public in the City of Buenos Aires, indicating their temporary address in the city and length of stay in the country (Resolution 99/2012). 

If you have a DNI issued by the embassy of another country, you can change your address to an address in Buenos Aires by getting an appointment at Renaper on your MiArgentina app. Or, fill out a temporary residence declaration form at a notary public (it can be the address of any relative within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires). In case if you decide to change to the CABA address, typically, the Repaner at Paseo Colón 1P on Humberto Primo 243 has greater availability.

 As for the Second partner, they may have a certificate of where you are domiciled (OPTIONAL) (can be a hotel), or at least a Precaria issued by the National Directorate of Migration (OPTIONAL). 

Address Certificate of Temporary Residence in Buenos Aires

Here is how you may get proof of local residence address if you stay in a hotel: Visit an “Escribania” (similar to a notary public) to get your “Acta de constatacion,” a document confirming your temporary residence in Buenos Aires, which is a legal requirement. The “Escribania” will arrange a visit to your hotel (or wherever you’re staying) to interview the concierge and confirm your stay. Plan for 1-2 days for this procedure. As another option, you can visit the local police office and request a “Certificado de Domicilio”. They will likely ask for a document confirming your residency within their jurisdiction. You may need to provide a rental contract, agreement, or any official document verifying your stay at that address. A police officer will then visit your place, confirm your residence with the concierge, and, if verified, leave the certificate with them. In today’s digital era, obtaining a certificado de domicilio can also be accomplished remotely. We will discuss it in the section below.

Those previously married and divorced abroad need to complete an ‘Authorization to Concrete Marriage or Cohabitation Union‘ in Buenos Aires.

Marriage Between Foreign Nationals

Residence Certificate issued by the corresponding immigration authority. This official document verifies your residency status in the country. You can obtain it through the relevant immigration authority, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements to be in Argentina. If your Argentine DNI has expired, present an electronic certificate of precarious residence from the National Directorate of Migration. You must have legal status in Argentina to be able to apply for a marriage. As an option, you can exit and re-enter Argentina to renew your visa status in the country.

Witnesses

You must have two witnesses of legal age of over the age of 18 and competent mental health with a valid Argentine ID who reside within the country.

Note: If both parties of the couple are foreigners, they can still get married in Argentina! We will talk about this case later below.

Foreigners Getting Married in Transit

In the context of marriage procedures in Argentina, a crucial difference arises based on the nationality of the couples. When at least one of the spouses is an Argentine citizen, they must adhere to the standard procedures mentioned earlier.

However, the dynamics change significantly when both individuals are tourists. In these cases, Foreigners Getting Married in Transit, the process is streamlined as part of a strategy to promote matrimonial tourism in the country.

The specialized procedure for temporary foreigners allows them to marry within a brief period of five days from the request at the Civil Registry. To initiate this process, tourists must have a valid passport and complete a declaration through a form provided by the Civil Registry when scheduling an appointment. This measure, supported by RESOLUTION 99/2012 from the Subsecretariat of Justice, aims to encourage diversity and enhance tourist attraction, expediting the procedures for visiting couples.

It is crucial to note that, in these instances, providing a temporary address is required when making the request, adding a practical element to this simplified process.

Special Cases - Authorization for Marriages of Married and Divorced Foreign Citizens

For those who have already experienced the bond of marriage in other countries, special authorization is required to hold the ceremony in Buenos Aires. This is done through the Trámites a Distancia (TAD) platform and may involve the submission of marriage certificates with divorce registration and a judicial resolution, duly authenticated or apostilled, translated, and again authenticated in the corresponding authorities, as detailed in the article Authorization for Marriage or Cohabitation Union in Buenos Aires for Citizens Married and Divorced Abroad.

Procedure at the Civil Registry of the City of Buenos Aires once in Argentina

1. Book an appointment: Once the required documents are all ready, it’s time to book the appointment for your unique lifetime ceremony. Reserve your slot via the city’s Shift Agenda. If unavailable, try again after 24 hours.
Buenos Aires offers a variety of magical places to seal your commitment:

– Iconic venues: Whether in gardens, museums, libraries, cultural centers, parks, gazebos, football stadiums, or theaters, choose a location that feels part of your history. Civil Marriage transforms from a formal act into a celebration itself. Imagine your wedding amid history, in an environment that reflects your unique love!

If you request a more emblematic location (e.g., Japanese garden), as of September 1, 2025, the approximate price is 28,000 Argentine pesos ($23), and for each additional witness, the price is 15,000 Argentine pesos ($11).

– Private residences.

– Central or communal venues.

Documentation Submission

a) Submit your documentation within 48 hours after the confirmation of the appointment. You will receive confirmation and a link to upload the documentation via email. Attach (completed and signed by both applicants) the forms attached to this note, “Marriage Affidavit,” and send them by email, along with a copy of each person’s passport and Argentine ID, to: [email protected]. The details of the two witnesses must be added to this form.

b) Wait for a response from the Civil Registry confirming that the information on the forms is correct. In this case, a Civil Registry employee will review the application and, if necessary, indicate any missing documentation that must be attached (e.g., translator, notarial certificate, authorization), as appropriate.


c) Once the requested documentation has been received and all requirements have been met, an appointment will be granted via email at the Central Office at 753 Uruguay Street, CABA.

d) According to Resolution 99/2012, the appointment after the documentation has been approved may not exceed 5 business days. Confirmation of the date and time of the appointment will be received by email.

The Day of the Ceremony

On the date of the ceremony, you must attend the Headquarters in person with the witnesses, and on that same day, you must present the original copies of all the documentation that was attached to the email when requesting the appointment (passport, notarized certificate, marriage agreement, property and statistical regime form), and if both of you speak another language, consider having an interpreter.

Attend the chosen venue with all original documents and take copies with you just in case. If neither of you don’t speaks Spanish, you must have an interpreter with you.

Certified Translator, and Language Requirements

Among the requirements for getting married in Argentina, if either of the bride or the groom does not speak Spanish, they must be assisted on the day of the wedding by a certified translator who will act as an interpreter.

Live Ceremony Broadcast and Procedure Costs

  • Do you want the world to share your special moment? If so, you can stream your ceremony live from the marriage rooms of the Central Headquarters of the Civil Registry for free.

    To live stream your wedding in high definition at no cost, exclusively from the marriage chambers of the Central Registry Headquarters, click here.

    Although the procedure itself is free, consider additional fees for options such as extra witnesses. This is a chapter of your story that deserves to be told with all the details.

Locations for the Procedure

– Central Civil Registry and various communal headquarters across Buenos Aires, each with specific operating hours.

– Central Civil Registry :Uruguay 753

– Community Headquarters 1 :Humberto 1° 250

– Communal Sub-Headquarters 2 :Vicente López 2050

– Communal Sub-Headquarters 3 :Moreno 2301

– Communal Sub-Headquarters 4 :Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza 501

– Commune 5 :Carlos Calvo 3325

– Commune 6 :Av. Patricias Argentinas 277

– Communal 7 :Rivadavia 7202

– Commune 8 :Av. Roca 5252

– Communal Sub-Headquarters 11 :Ricardo Gutiérrez 3254

– Commune 12 :Holmberg 2548

– Commune 13 :Av. Cabildo 3067

– Commune 14 :Beruti 3325

– Commune 15 :Bonpland 1271

Special Considerations and Additional Options

Widowed Spouse:

– Submit the original marriage and death certificates.

Marriages Abroad:

– Two people already married in another country cannot marry again in Argentina. However, they have the option to register their existing marriage in Argentina, which requires the court’s order.

 

Important Note:  On the day of the ceremony, bring all original documents (ID/passport, certificates, marriage agreement, property, and statistical regime form) that were uploaded during the appointment request.

Conclusion: A New Beginning with Legal Rights in Argentina

Congratulations on your marriage! This joyous milestone not only heralds a new chapter in your personal life but also opens the gateway to significant legal opportunities in Argentina. With your marriage certificate, you can now embark on the journey towards Argentine citizenship and permanent residency. This document serves as a pivotal foundation for your applications, symbolizing your legal and social ties to the country. For a clearer understanding, refer to our detailed roadmap, which outlines each step of the process. Should you require further guidance or have any queries, feel free to reach out to us for a paid consultation. We are here to assist you in navigating this exciting new phase of your life, ensuring a smooth transition into your future in Argentina.

  – Witnesses must be adults, capable, with a valid Argentine National Identity Document (DNI), and have a residence within Argentina.

   – All documents attached to the procedure.

No. The Civil Registry only requires an address in CABA for notifications. This address can be temporary (such as an Airbnb) but must be certified by a notary.

No. Argentinian citizens have free entry into their own country and do not need to go through Immigration procedures.

The foreign spouse must provide an Apostilled and officially translated certificate of single status (also called an Affidavit of Single Status).

No. The Argentinian citizen only needs their valid national DNI and a personal declaration stating they are single.