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Data Privacy Notice for the purpose of assessing entitlement to a Certificat de Coutume/Nulla Osta for Marriage Abroad and the issuing of Certificates

The following data is specific information in relation to the personal data collected and processed for the purpose of assessing entitlement to a Certificat de Coutume/Nulla Osta for Marriage Abroad and the issuing of Certificates in that regard

1. Specified purpose:

The purpose is for assessing an applicant’s freedom to marry abroad in accordance with Irish law and the issuing of Certificates in that regard.

2. What personal data do we collect:

In general, the Department collects the following information for this purpose:

  • Forename and Surname
  • Date of birth
  • PPSN
  • Change of name details
  • Place of birth
  • Passport details
  • Mother’s maiden name
  • Father’s name
  • Home address
  • Email address
  • Contact telephone number
  • Gender
  • Marital Status
  • Marriage/Previous Marriages
  • Path to Irish Citizenship

3. Sources of the data collected:

The above referenced data is collected from the applicant based on the application submitted.

4. Lawful basis:

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has power to issue Certificats de Coutume as part of a general power to provide consular services and to charge fees for same as per the Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Provision of Services) Act 1993, as amended, the Diplomatic and Consular Fees Regulations 2013 (SI 46/2013), and the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924.

5. Recipients: 

Capita – the external software provider.

Potentially other Government Departments for verification of data or the prevention of fraud/crime.

6. Transferred outside the EU: 

No data is transferred outside of the EU.

7. Retention Period:

The data collected for this purpose will be held by the Department only as long as there is a business need to do so in line with its obligations under the National Archives Act 1986 (as amended). Copies of Certificates issued and the bases on which they were issued will be retained in line with guidance from the National Archives Office and Departmental policy.

8. Data provision being statutory or contractual obligation:

The data provided for this purpose is being requested in order to assess entitlement for a certificate confirming freedom to marry abroad in accordance with Irish law provided for under Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Provision of Services) Act 1993 and if the customer chooses not to provide this information their application cannot proceed.

9. Automated Decision Making: 

No automated decision making is carried out during the process.

10. Information from Third Parties:

Consular Services do not receive information from Third Parties.

Updated: October 2023