Published on 1 February 2026

South Africa: Family, marriage and partnerships

Find out about family, marriage and partnerships if you are planning to emigrate to South Africa. The FDFA can provide you with information about this.

Joining your family

If an unemployed person who is not financially independent wishes to move to South Africa where they have relatives, they must submit an affidavit from said relatives confirming that they will provide for the applicant's livelihood and accommodation (including the cost of the initial journey). The authorities also require a bank guarantee to ensure that any return travel costs will also be covered. Spouses or life partners of permanent residence permit-holders are granted a residence permit provided the marriage or partnership has lasted for at least five years.

Registering marriages and partnerships

Marriages contracted abroad under civil law are recognised in Switzerland and must be registered with the Swiss civil status authorities. Swiss nationals who get married abroad are required to register their marriage with the competent Swiss representation abroad. The documents must be submitted to the diplomatic representation together with an apostille. The latter will forward the declaration to Switzerland free of charge.

Find out what you need to do as early as possible

Before you get married, contact your Swiss representation to find out what you will need to do to make sure your marriage is recognised and registered in the civil status register without delay.

Partnerships

South Africa was the first country to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in its constitution. On 1 December 2006, it made history by becoming the fifth country in the world and the first in Africa to allow same-sex partners to marry and to introduce registered partnerships for unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples as a legal institution.

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