Registration of Births, Marriages, Baptisms, and Deaths in the Greek Embassy and Authorities in Greece: A Legal Guide for Greek Americans
Ensuring Proper Registration of Vital Events in Greece from the U.S.
Greek Americans living in the U.S. who need to register births, marriages, baptisms, or deaths with the Greek authorities often face bureaucratic complexities. Proper registration is essential for maintaining Greek citizenship rights, inheritance claims, and family records. Whether you need to submit documents at the Greek Embassy in the U.S. or in municipal registries (Dimotologio) in Greece, our law firm, E CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC, provides complete legal assistance for handling these procedures remotely.
Contact us at +13474034789 or via email at info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com for a virtual legal consultation in Greek.
Why Registration of Births, Marriages, and Deaths Is Important for Greek Citizens Abroad?
Registering life events with the Greek authorities is a legal obligation for Greek citizens, even if the event occurred in the U.S. Without proper registration, you may face issues related to:
✔ Greek citizenship confirmation
✔ Inheritance claims and property transfers
✔ Social security benefits in Greece
✔ Name corrections and family record updates
✔ Legal recognition of marriages and children in Greece
Where to Register Births, Marriages, Baptisms, and Deaths?
1. Greek Embassies and Consulates in the U.S.
Greek citizens must submit declarations of birth, marriage, and death at their local Greek Embassy or Consulate. These diplomatic offices forward the registration to the Special Registry in Athens (Eidiko Lixiarcheio).
2. Special Registry (Ειδικό Ληξιαρχείο) in Athens
The Special Registry records events occurring abroad for Greeks and must receive applications for:
✔ Birth registration of children born in the U.S. to Greek parents
✔ Marriage registration of Greek citizens married outside of Greece
✔ Death registration of Greek citizens who passed away abroad
✔ Baptism registration for Greek Orthodox baptisms performed outside Greece
3. Local Municipal Registry (Δημοτολόγιο) in Greece
The Dimotologio (Municipal Registry) records Greek citizens’ family details. Registrations must be updated here for a person to claim property, vote in Greek elections, or obtain identity documents.
How to Register a Birth in Greece for a Child Born in the U.S.?
Greek parents living in the U.S. must register their child’s birth to secure Greek citizenship. The registration process involves:
Required Documents:
✔ U.S. Birth Certificate (with Apostille)
✔ Certified Greek Translation of the birth certificate
✔ Greek parent(s) passport and ID
✔ Marriage Certificate of the parents (if applicable)
✔ Application for birth registration at the Greek Embassy
Once the Embassy processes the documents, they are sent to Eidiko Lixiarcheio and the local Dimotologio of the parent(s).
Marriage Registration in Greece for Greek Americans
If a Greek citizen gets married in the U.S., the marriage must be registered in Greece for it to be legally recognized.
Required Documents:
✔ U.S. Marriage Certificate (with Apostille)
✔ Certified Greek Translation
✔ Greek passport/ID of both spouses
✔ Application form for marriage registration
✔ If the marriage is Orthodox: Church certificate of marriage
Note: If a Greek citizen marries a non-Greek, the marriage registration allows the non-Greek spouse to apply for Greek residency or citizenship under specific conditions.
Death Registration of a Greek Citizen in the U.S. for Greek Inheritance Claims
When a Greek citizen passes away in the U.S., their death must be registered in Greece to facilitate inheritance procedures.
Required Documents:
✔ U.S. Death Certificate (with Apostille)
✔ Certified Greek Translation
✔ Proof of last residence in Greece (if applicable)
✔ Application form for death registration
Once registered, the death certificate allows heirs to claim inherited property, update the Greek land registry, and handle legal successions.
Correcting or Updating Greek Registry Records
If your birth, marriage, or death record contains errors, you can apply for corrections at the Greek authorities. Common mistakes include:
✔ Misspelled names in Greek and English
✔ Incorrect birthdates or locations
✔ Missing family details
Our law firm E CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC handles name corrections, document amendments, and delayed registrations remotely.
Why Choose E CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC for Your Registration Needs?
1️⃣ Remote Legal Assistance – We handle everything via power of attorney (no need to travel to Greece)
2️⃣ Expertise in Greek Bureaucracy – Extensive experience with Greek Consulates, the Special Registry, and Dimotologia
3️⃣ Fast Processing – We streamline applications to avoid delays
4️⃣ Greek & English Support – Native Greek-speaking attorneys available
FAQs – Greek Civil Registration for Greek Americans
1. How long does it take to register a birth or marriage in Greece?
Registration usually takes 4-8 weeks, depending on processing times at Greek authorities.
2. Do I need to visit the Greek Embassy in person?
In most cases, a lawyer with power of attorney can submit applications on your behalf.
3. Can you correct mistakes in a birth certificate?
Yes, we handle name corrections, date errors, and missing information updates in Greek records.
4. How can I prove my Greek citizenship for registration?
You need a Greek birth certificate, passport, or registered Greek parents.
Get Expert Legal Help with Greek Registrations Today!
If you need to register a birth, marriage, baptism, or death in Greece, contact our legal team for fast, professional assistance.
Call us at +13474034789
Email: info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com
Virtual legal consultation available in Greek
Let E CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC handle the Greek legal process for you – stress-free and efficiently!