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After your marriage performed abroad

You must report your marriage performed abroad to your Swiss representation so that the data in the various Swiss registers can be updated.

The foreign authorities generally do not inform the Swiss representation of your union. You are therefore required to submit the necessary documents to your Swiss representation so that the civil status authority in Switzerland can enter your union into its register. The change of your civil status must also be entered by your Swiss representation into the Register of the Swiss Abroad. These procedures are free of charge and may take some time.

Please submit the following documents and information to your Swiss representation:

  • original marriage certificate
  • copy of the Swiss certificate of capacity to marry
  • address of spouses

For any questions, please feel free to contact us at the following e-mail address: warsaw@eda.admin.ch

The original documents are submitted to the civil status authority concerned in Switzerland and must not be older than six months. They will not be returned. Photocopies are not accepted. Additional documents may be required if necessary.

The costs of a thorough verification, should it be necessary, of the foreign civil status documents by a lawyer approved by the Swiss representation are at your expense.

Please submit the following documents and information to your Swiss representation:

  • original marriage certificate
  • original certificate of residence valid when the marriage was performed
  • copy of the passport of your spouse (male or female) not yet entered into the Register of the Swiss Abroad
  • current address of spouses

For spouses (male or female) who are not Swiss citizens:

  • original birth certificate establishing who the parents are
  • original civil status record before the marriage :
    a) certificate establishing that they are unmarried
    b) divorce decree that specifies when it entered into force
    c) dissolution decree that specifies when it entered into force
    d) death certificate of deceased spouse
  • original certificate of residence valid when the marriage was performed

Certain documents may no longer be required if the person is already registered in the Swiss civil status register.

For any questions, please feel free to contact us at the following e-mail address: warsaw@eda.admin.ch

The original documents are submitted to the civil status authority concerned in Switzerland and must not be older than six months. They will not be returned. Photocopies are not accepted. Additional documents may be required if necessary.

The costs of a thorough verification, should it be necessary, of the foreign civil status documents by a lawyer approved by the Swiss representation are at your expense.

If you have changed your surname, you will have to ask the appropriate authorities to reissue certain official documents (passport, identity card, driving licence, etc.). If you have not changed your surname, you do not need to do anything, as civil status is not indicated on Swiss identity documents.

If you plan to travel to Switzerland or take up residence here and your spouse (male or female) is not a Swiss citizen, they may need a visa to enter Switzerland and/or a residence permit. 

Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

People who are not citizens of Switzerland do not automatically acquire Swiss citizenship through marriage. More information here: 

Citizenship

The change in your civil status and possibly your name must also be communicated to the various authorities of your domicile abroad (residents' registration office, immigration authorities, the tax office, etc.).

If you are a citizen of more than one country, you should ask the foreign authorities concerned whether your marriage must be reported to them.

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Last update 29.12.2022