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| Zürich Local Reference INFOrmation
Information on the Swiss marriage process for foreigners - American, Australian, UK and other European Union citizens - wanting to have their wedding in Switzerland. What to expect, where to go and the documents required for the legal process.
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:
It is illegal to marry within the same family. Applying for a Marriage CertificateIf either or both parties 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 party 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.
Required DocumentsNon-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:
Once the documents and marriage request form have been completed the registrar may need to interview the couple; interviews are by appointment only. The couple will be notified in writing if the application is approved. This will take about five weeks as the publication of bans (this is the public announcement of a couples intention to marry to allow for objections to be lodged) must be done. 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 CircumstancesForeign 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 CeremonyThe 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 (a fee is payable). A religious ceremony or blessing can be held following the civil ceremony. Proof of legal marriage must be shown using the marriage certificate. DocumentsSince the introduction of the computerised registry system in Switzerland, the family record book (Familienbuechlein) 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 (Handelsregisteramt) issues official documents on request. Documents available from the Registry Office include:
Documents may be ordered online or by e-mail (depending on the commune). In all cases the website of the relevant Standeszivilamt provides information on how to contact the Registry Office and/or request the official documents. Personal and Financial Consequences of MarriageUnder 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. Documents to amend following marriageAs a consequence of the name change, certain documents should be updated:
DivorceIn the event of divorce, a woman has to wait between six and twelve months before she may revert to her maiden name. Registry Offices
Related InformationThe Consular Offices of most Embassies can assist their nationals with much of the documentation required for a wedding in Switzerland.
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