A LEGAL loophole exists that allows couples getting married to avoid paying the €150 marriage-notification fee to the state.

Last year, 21,541 couples got married, according to statistics from the Central Statistics Office. When a couple register their intention to wed, they must pay the €150 marriage-notification fee, which netted over €3m revenue for the state. Couples must notify the local marriage registrar three months before the ceremony and pay the fee.

However, couples who wish to get married in less than 90 days can apply to the courts to obtain an exemption from this requirement. There has never been an instance where a judge has refused a couple an exemption. Those granted an exemption do not have to pay the €150 fee. Last year, just under 3% of couples who registered to wed went to the courts and obtained an exemption.

It is understood there are concerns some couples go to the courts seeking the exemption not because they need to get married in less than 90 days, but simply to avoid paying the fee. A slight amendment to the Civil Registration Act 2004 could allow couples to still obtain an exemption from waiting three months to wed but stipulate the €150 marriage-notification fee still applies.

It is understood that there have been instances whereby couples obtain the court exemption but then have not got married before the three-month period had passed, indicating that it was obtained solely to avoid paying the fee.