licencia de matrimonio
/liθenθja de matɾimonjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'marriage licence' is translated into Spanish as licencia de matrimonio.
A licencia de matrimonio is an official document issued by a government authority that allows a couple to be legally married. It is important to distinguish this from an acta de matrimonio, which is often used to refer to the official record or certificate produced after the wedding has actually taken place.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of licencia (license) and de matrimonio (of marriage).
Which one should you use?
You can use the phrase licencia de matrimonio or the alternative form licencia matrimonial, which uses the adjective matrimonial instead of the prepositional phrase de matrimonio.
How do you pronounce it?
/liθenθja de matɾimonjo/
Did you know?
- The word matrimonio is an unexpected linguistic relative of the English word 'mother'. Both stem from the same Proto-Indo-European root relating to the concept of a woman or a mother.
- While licencia de matrimonio is understood, many Spanish speakers use the term expediente matrimonial to describe the folder of required documents one must submit before the license is granted.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the legal process is more often referred to as matrimonio civil to distinguish it from a religious ceremony, as the state only recognizes the civil license.
Examples in context
- Para solicitar la licencia de matrimonio, debe presentarse en la oficina del registro civil.To apply for a marriage licence, you must go to the civil registry office.
- ¿Ya obtuvieron el permiso de matrimonio? Ahora pueden empezar a planificar la boda.Have you obtained the marriage permission? Now you can start planning the wedding.
- Necesitamos la licencia de matrimonio para la ceremonia.We need the marriage licence for the ceremony.
- ¿Dónde puedo obtener la licencia de matrimonio?Where can I obtain the marriage licence?
- Ya recibimos la licencia de matrimonio por correo.We already received the marriage licence by mail.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing wedding preparations at home.
- AlejandroElena, ¿ya tienes la licencia de matrimonio?Elena, do you already have the marriage licence?
- ElenaSí, la tengo aquí en la mesa.Yes, I have it here on the table.
- AlejandroQué bueno, ahora podemos avanzar con los trámites.That's good, now we can move forward with the paperwork.
- ElenaExacto, todo está listo para nosotros.Exactly, everything is ready for us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, licencia, matrimonio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
