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Marriage to be performed in Switzerland

A preparatory procedure is mandatory for having your marriage or partnership performed in Switzerland. This procedure is usually carried out with the Swiss registry office where the ceremony is to be held or, if you live abroad, with your Swiss representation abroad. Please find out well in advance what formalities you will need to comply with.

If one of you is domiciled in Switzerland, the civil status office of their domicile is in charge of conducting this procedure. Please contact this office for information on the conditions, the documents required and the formalities to be respected.

The fiancés or future registered partners may attend to the administrative matters separately at different places. Your presence in person is required in all cases.

Please ask the representation in advance if an interpreter is required. Any additional costs for the interpreter are at your expense.

The following documents must be submitted in person to your Swiss representation:

Form: Request to have a marriage performed (PDF, 2 Pages, 167.9 kB, German)

Form: Request to have a marriage performed (PDF, 2 Pages, 156.1 kB, French)

Form: Request to have a marriage performed (PDF, 2 Pages, 159.7 kB, Italian)

as well as

Marriage to be performed in Switzerland (PDF, 4 Pages, 237.5 kB, English)

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.

After a marriage performed or a partnership registered in Switzerland, each of the spouses or partners retains their own surname(s) if they do not file a declaration that they have chosen to take a common surname.

Non-Swiss citizens must find out from the authority concerned in their country of origin whether they can choose to bear the surname(s) of their Swiss spouse or partner.

Factsheet no. 153.1 on the surname(s) borne after marriage (de)

Factsheet no. 153.1 on the surname(s) borne after marriage (fr)

Factsheet no. 153.1 on the surname(s) borne after marriage (it)

Factsheet no. 153.3 on declarations concerning surnames used under Swiss law (de)

Factsheet no. 153.3 on declarations concerning surnames used under Swiss law (fr)

Factsheet no. 153.3 on declarations concerning surnames used under Swiss law (it)

FAQ on the subject of the new legal provisions concerning surnames (de)

FAQ on the subject of the new legal provisions concerning surnames (fr)

FAQ on the subject of the new legal provisions concerning surnames (it)

In some cases, entering Switzerland to have a marriage performed or a partnership registered requires a visa. Please note the following information: 

Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days

If you plan to take up residence in Switzerland right after your marriage or partnership is performed/registered and your spouse or partner (male or female) is not a Swiss citizen, they may need a visa to enter Switzerland and a residence permit. The application for the visa and residence permit can be submitted as part of the marriage or partnership preparation procedure. The cantonal migration authority is in charge of accepting or rejecting this application.

National visa for a stay for more than 90 days

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Last update 04.12.2023