Getting Married in Switzerland

Only civil marriages are legally recognised in Switzerland. The civil marriage takes place at a Registry Office. A religious ceremony may follow the civil event.

In order to apply to marry the engaged couple must meet the requirements of the law. 

These are:

• Both be aged 18 or older
• Neither may be married
• A person with a legal guardian must have their consent 

It is illegal to marry within the family.

Applying for a Marriage Certificate

If either or both of the engaged couple (whether Swiss or of foreign nationality) live in Switzerland then the application can be made at the Registry Office of either's commune of residence. 

If neither of the couple live in Switzerland the application must be made at the Registry Office in the district chosen for the marriage celebration, or through an authorised representative. 

• To find an appropriate registry office click here (in French) or scroll the bottom of this page.

Required Documents

Non-Swiss citizens should ask their local Registry Office for information and a detailed list of the documents needed for the marriage application.

The following documents will almost certainly be needed:

• Photo ID (drivers' licence or passport) 
• Notarised affidavit stating current address and marital status (single, divorced or widowed). 
• Birth Certificate (certified copy in German, French or Italian) showing the names of the parents. This should not be the original, but one issued no more than six months before the planned marriage
• If previously married: a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate of the former spouse 
• A completed marriage request form available from the Registry Office

Once the documents and form have been completed the registrar may need to interview the couple (established if this is required); it is by appointment only

The couple will be notified in writing if the application is approved. This will take about five weeks to allow for the publication of bans (this is the public announcement of a couples intention to marry to allow for objections to be lodged). 

The marriage ceremony must take place within a minimum of ten days and a maximum of three months after the approval is granted. An appointment should be made with the Registry Office.

Unusual Circumstances

Foreign nationals who cannot meet the normal requirements may be granted permission to marry based on the national law of either of the couple. This should be applied for with the Cantonal Registrar supervisory authority. There may be a charge for this.

Marriage Ceremony

The wedding ceremony takes place in the registry office in the presence of two adult witnesses. The ceremony cannot take place on a Sunday or a public holiday. 

After the ceremony the couple may request a marriage deed, which states when and where the marriage took place and the names of the spouses before and after the wedding, and a marriage certificate (which must be paid for). A religious ceremony or blessing can be held following the civil ceremony. Proof of legal marriage must be shown using the marriage certificate. 

Documents

Since the introduction of the computerised registry system in Switzerland, the family record book (livret de famille) previously issued to couples domiciled in Switzerland,  is no longer an official document and is not recognised by the authorities as a proof of civil status, marriage or family relationships. Instead, the corresponding Registry Office (Etat Civil) issues official documents on request. 

Examples of the documents include: 

• birth certificate (acte de naissance)
• marriage certificate (acte de mariage)
• certificat d'état civil
• acte or certificat de famille
• death certificate (acte de décès)
• acte d'origine

Documents may be ordered online or by e-mail (depending on the commune). In all cases the website of the relevant Etat Civil provides information on how to contact the Registry Office and/or request the official documents.

Personal and Financial Consequences of Marriage

Under Swiss law, the couple take the name of the husband as their surname (or family name). The wife may decide to keep her own name but only if hyphenated or followed by her husband's. 

The married couple may take the woman's maiden name although this must be authorised before the marriage takes place. This is done at the Registry Office. 

A married couple are also subject to a matrimonial property regime. This is a set of duties and rights concerning financial relations within the marriage and the division of property in the event of death or divorce.

Documents to amend following marriage

As a consequence of the name change, certain documents should be updated:

• Driving Licence
• Passport
• Identity card

Divorce

In the event of divorce, a woman has to wait between six and twelve months before she may revert to her maiden name. 

Registry Offices

• Basel
  At: Zivilstandsamt, Rittergasse 11, 4051 Basel
  Tel: 061 267 95 90
  Fax: 061 267 67 49
  e-mail
  Website
• Berne
  At: Zivilstandsamt Kreis Bern, Bümplizstrasse 97, 3018 Berne
  Tel: 031 387 38 38
  Fax: 031 387 38 39
  Website
• Geneva
  At: Etat civil, 37, rue de la Mairie, 1207 Genève
  Tel: 022 418 66 50
  Fax: 022 418 66 51
  Website
• Lausanne
  At: Etat civil, 8, rue Beau-Séjour, 1003 Lausanne (by appointment only)
  Tel: 021 315 29 82
  Website
• Lugano
  At: Ufficio dello Stato Civile, Palazzo Civico, Piazza Riforma, 6900 Lugano
  Tel: 091 800 70 33
• Lucerne
  At: Zivilstandsamt, Obergrundstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern
  Tel: 041 208 81 11
• Ticino
  Website
• Canton of Vaud
  Website
• Zürich
  At: Zivilstandsamt Zurich, Molkenstrasse 5/9, 8022 Zürich
  Tel: 044 412 31 50
  Website 
• Zug
  At: Zivilstandsamt Kreis Zug, Kolinplatz 19, 6300 Zug
  Tel: 041 728 15 15
  Website

Further Information

The Consular Offices of most Embassies are able to help their nationals with much of the documentation required in the preparation of a wedding in Switzerland

• US citizens: US Embassy Berne (marriage in Switzerland)
• Australian citizens: Australian Consulate General (marriage in Switzerland)
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Registered Partnerships in Switzerland