With the Swiss Alps, charming culture, high-quality timepieces, and holey cheese, there is no denying that Switzerland is an interesting country. If you love skiing and want a destination wedding then Switzerland is a great option. Ski/wedding holidays are offered by most of the top Swiss hotels and resorts, which will make your planning a lot easier to do. It is also very easy to get married in Switzerland when you are a non-resident, non-citizen of Switzerland. Here is what you need to know.
Information That You Will Need
Compared to the countries that surround Switzerland, Switzerland requires relatively few pieces of information to qualify for a Swiss marriage license.
- First of all, you will need to know where you will be getting married. This will impact where you file your intent to marry.
- Next, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. This copy must have been issued within the last six months. If your copy is older than six months, then you will need to return to the city hall in the town of your birth to request another “certified” copy.
- Next, you will need proof of your residence or your passport. You will also need a record of civil status. This is basically proof that you are either single, legally divorced or a confirmed widow/widower. You will also need to swear an affidavit that, to the best of your knowledge, you are legally free to get married.
Finding a Registrar’s Office (Zivilstandsamt)
The first step in getting married in Switzerland is to determine which Swiss district to get married in. You need to know this upfront because you will need to file your intent to marry in that district. Here is the contact information for three of the most popular districts to get married in:
- BERN: Zivilstandsamt, Zieglerstrasse 29, 3007 Bern, Switzerland www.pom.be.ch
- ZURICH: Zivilstandsamt, Stadthausquai 17, 8001 Zurich, www.stadt-zuerich.ch
- LUZERN: Zivilstandsamt, Obergrundstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern, www.stadtluzern.ch
If you plan to stay in this district after the ceremony you might want to check the average cost of living in Switzerland (compared to the UK)
The Application Process
When you contact the Zivilstandsamt you will need to provide them with all your documents and complete an application. This information will need to be in German, so enlist the help of a translator if you aren’t fluent in this language. Fortunately, the entire application process can be done through the mail so you don’t have to worry about making an extra trip to Switzerland before your wedding. When you file your intent to marry you will also need to make a deposit of between SFR 250 and 300. You will pay the remaining SFR 200-250 on your wedding date, for a total of SFR 500.
It is going to take around five business days to process your application. However, once approved, your Swiss marriage license will be good for up to three months. You will want to ask the district you register with if they require couples to wait for banns, wedding announcements, to be publicly posted. If they do then you may need to wait up to five weeks before you can have your wedding. This is why it is important to start the application process two months before you plan to get married.
If you need any help with your relocation to Switzerland – contact us today and let’s find the best way to help you out.