Waiting times reduced for marriage of convenience interviews in Cork and Kerry

HSE said a review of processing arrangements has reduced waiting times for the interviews, which are conducted where immigration concerns arise in proposed marriages

Hundreds of weddings in the Cork and Kerry region could be hit with delays because of the delay in interviews for marriages of convenience.

The waiting time for marriage of convenience interviews in Cork and Kerry has been reduced to six months following a review, according to the HSE.

Such interviews are held where at least one half of a couple is from outside the EU, in a bid to ensure the proposed marriage is not taking place to enable one or both parties to the marriage to gain immigration status.

Staff in civil registration offices across the country are dealing with an increase in requests for marriage of convenience interviews.

As a result, the HSE launched a review of more than 200 files in the Cork and Kerry region this year to establish if the circumstances of any couples awaiting an interview had changed, meaning they may no longer require the interviews.

The Irish Examiner revealed in February that hundreds of weddings in the Cork and Kerry region could be hit with delays because of the issue.

One bride outlined that she and her fiancé had been told last November that they may not be able to have such an interview in Cork for up to 18 months, but they managed to secure dates in Kilkenny.

They are scheduled to have an appointment next month ahead of their October wedding — nine months after initially seeking a marriage of convenience appointment date.

A spokesperson for the HSE said:

“The HSE South West Civil Registration service recently completed a review of all marriage of convenience cases currently open in Cork and Kerry, and all cases that are ready to progress have been assigned appointments.

“Bookings for notice of marriage appointments requiring a second interview have been open since early 2026.

“The current waiting time is approximately six months across Cork and Kerry.

“In some cases, appointments may take longer where additional documentation is required,” the spokesperson said.

“The Civil Registration Service continues to engage with couples to resolve any outstanding issues and progress their application as quickly as possible.”

Previously, the HSE said that couples will be contacted two weeks before their appointment to ensure they are able to go ahead with their interview.

In cases where they cannot, their appointment will be reassigned.

It is understood that reasons for cancelling appointments include where an interpreter is not available on the date that has been assigned to a couple.