How to Get Married in Switzerland as a Foreigner

Created: Apr 12, 2024 | Updated: Apr 16, 2024

Marriage isn't just a union; it's an adventure. It's sailing into unknown waters with your best friend, your partner in crime, and sometimes, your biggest challenger. You have come to the right place if you are looking for answers on how marriage is done in Switzerland, especially from the perspective of a foreign national. We’ve done the research and covered all the steps concerning how to tie the knot in Switzerland, from the legal requirements to the necessary documentation, up to the planning process, so you don’t have to. You’re welcome.

Swiss Wedding Traditions

Swiss weddings combine traditional customs with modern touches, creating a uniquely festive and heartfelt celebration. Most begin with a civil ceremony, which is a legal requirement. This is usually a small affair with close family and friends, conducted at a local registry office. As the newlyweds exit the church or registry office, they walk through a 'gauntlet' formed by guests. This is called Spalierstehen. Many couples also choose to have a church ceremony afterwards, which allows for more guests and traditional elements.

After the ceremony, guests are treated to an apéritif, which is a standing reception with drinks and light bites, allowing everyone to mingle. This is typically followed by a more intimate dinner in the evening for close family and friends, possibly in a different location. Swiss weddings also feature amateur entertainment between the afternoon’s apéritif and the evening dinner. The best man and maid of honour usually coordinate this, setting up games, skits, and musical performances that poke fun at or celebrate the couple.

The popular tradition of throwing the bouquet is also found in Swiss weddings. At some point during the reception, the bride will throw her bouquet to the crowd of single ladies, predicting who would be the next to get married.

At the end of the celebrations, the couple will return home to find their new home either decorated or playfully vandalised, like blocking the entrance, by their friends.

Types of Marriages in Switzerland

Civil Marriages

Civil weddings in Switzerland are an essential part of the marriage process, as they are the only form of wedding that is legally recognized by the state. Before any religious or informal ceremony can take place, a couple must first be legally married in a civil ceremony. Couples must apply to their local registry office (Zivilstandsamt in German, Office de l'état civil in French, Ufficio dello stato civile in Italian). This involves submitting necessary documents, which may include birth certificates, residency certificates, and, if previously married, a decree of divorce or death certificate of the former spouse.

In Switzerland, the marriage application is publicly posted, typically at the local registry office, for a period of 10 days. This is a traditional formality to allow anyone with a legal objection to the marriage to come forward.

The ceremony is usually straightforward and brief, conducted at the registry office by a civil registrar. The ceremony is conducted in the local language, so if neither party is fluent, an interpreter may be required.

Religious Weddings in Switzerland

Once the legal formalities are completed through the civil wedding, couples are free to arrange a religious ceremony according to their personal beliefs and traditions. This can be held on the same day as the civil wedding or at a later date.

Christian Weddings: The majority of religious weddings in Switzerland are Christian, reflecting the country’s predominantly Roman Catholic and Protestant populations. These ceremonies are usually held in churches and follow the specific rituals and traditions of the denomination.

Jewish Weddings: Jewish couples might have a wedding that includes traditional elements like the signing of the Ketubah (marriage contract), the marriage ceremony under a chuppah (wedding canopy), and the breaking of a glass.

Muslim Weddings: For Muslims, a religious wedding often includes a Nikah ceremony, conducted by an Imam and based on Islamic traditions.

Other Faiths: Switzerland’s diverse population includes many other faith communities, each with its own wedding customs and rituals.

The Legal Requirements for Marriage in Switzerland

The first thing you need to do is understand what the legal requirements for getting married in The UAE are. Here are the criteria you need to meet before getting married in The UAE:

General Pre-Marital Requirements

The bride must approve and consent to the marriage.
At least one party to the marriage contract (husband, wife or wife’s guardian) should have a UAE residence visa in Dubai. In other emirates, both the bride and the groom must be UAE residents.
You must have a positive pre-marital screening certificate from the relevant public healthcare facilities in the UAE. Pre-marital screening is mandatory to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Civil Marriage Requirements

You both must not be Muslim UAE Nationals.
You both must consent to the marriage.
You both must be at least 18 years old.
You both must not be related by first or second degree.
You both must be single.

Islamic Marriage Requirements

You both can be Muslims or
The groom can be Muslim and the bride must be from 'Ahl Al-Kitaab'; such as Christian.
The marriage contract must be registered in a Sharia court in the UAE.
You must be 18 Hijri years old or have a judge's approval.
Neither you nor your spouse can be twice as old as the other; otherwise you need a judge's approval.
You must have a premarital screening certificate.
You both must attend the ceremony.
The bride's father or his representative and two male Muslim witnesses must attend the ceremony.
The bride must have the consent of her guardian such as her father. In case her father passes away, the next closest male guardian, such as her elder brother can stand in as her guardian.
If you are a divorced or widowed woman, you must produce proof.

If the bride is Muslim and her father is not, she needs a 'No Objection' letter from her embassy or consulate.

Marital screening test must be done through one of the medical centres of the:

Emirates Health Services

Disease Prevention and Screening Centers(DPSCs) - Abu Dhabi

Dubai Health Authority.

Documentation Requirements

For Civil Marriage Notice:

An international passport.
Photocopies of the data page of the passports of the bride and the groom.
Photocopies of the data page of the passports for your two witnesses, listing their names, addresses and occupations.
Birth certificate (original or certified showing mother and father's names, bearing the stamp apostille).
If you are adopted – an Adoption Certificate.
Driver's License or a document that shows your address.
A residence registration form ("Meldezettel") issued by the Arabian authorities after arrival, unless you are staying in a hotel, youth hostel or accommodation of that sort.
Final divorce, dissolution and nullity decrees as well as death certificates in respect of all previous marriages and civil partnerships.
Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis).

If you have a child or joint children, you will need to submit:

birth certificates of the children.
acknowledgement of paternity of the children (if the father has not been specified on the birth certificate)
proof of citizenship, if available.
proof of residence of the children.

All of the above documents (except your passport and driver’s license) that are not in German need to be translated by a certified translator or a certified translation service in The UAE (Beglaubigte Übersetzung). Translayte is a language service provider that provides you with highly skilled German-certified translators who work to accurately convey the message of your documents. You can get German translations to or from a large variety of languages like English to German translations, Hindi to German translations, Italian to German translations, and vice versa. Moreover, your foreign documents must be legalised or bear an apostille stamp from the country of issuance to be valid in The UAE.

How to get married in The UAE

How to Get Married in The UAE

So, we’ve looked at all we need to put in place before marrying in The UAE. Now, let’s simplify the entire process for you into a few steps.

Get a Visa

You need to apply for a visa to enter The UAE to get married if you are not an Arabian citizen or a citizen of an EU/EEA country. You will need to apply for either the "Type C Visa" for short stays or a "Type D Visa" for longer stays, depending on the length of your stay and your specific circumstances.

The Type C Schengen visa is for short stays in the Schengen area, including The UAE, up to 90 days within 180 days. If you plan to have your wedding and leave The UAE within 90 days, this is the appropriate visa. Applications are typically submitted through the Arabian embassy or consulate in your home country. You'll need to provide proof of your intention to marry, such as a letter from the Standesamt in The UAE, alongside other documents like proof of accommodation, return tickets, and financial means.

The Type D National visa is for longer stays in The UAE exceeding 90 days but not exceeding six months. If your wedding preparations require you to stay in The UAE for more than 90 days, or if you plan to stay in The UAE immediately after your wedding, this visa might be more appropriate. The application process is similar to the Visa C application process, but you'll need to provide additional documentation justifying the extended stay. This could include detailed wedding plans or evidence of your future spouse's residence in The UAE.

Submit a Marriage Application

The next step to getting married in The UAE is to put in a marriage application.

If either you or your partner is an Arabian citizen or lives in The UAE (regardless of citizenship), your marriage application must be filed at your local Standesamt.

If both of you are neither Arabians nor residents, your marriage application must be filed at the Standesamt for the First District of Vienna, located at Standesamt Wien-Innere Stadt, Schlesingerplatz 4, A-1082 Vienna, The UAE. You can call to make enquires on 01143 1 40134 08580, send a fax to 01143 1 40134 99 08580, or send an email to post-a08(at)m61.magwien.gv.at).

You must apply in person and bring the documents we listed earlier. Some Standesamt may need you to undergo a preliminary interview before submitting your application. This is to ensure that all legal requirements are met and to confirm that the couple is fit for marriage. At the first appointment, you do not need to present all of the required documents and evidence. The Standesamt understands that it can take a while to get all the documents you need. Some exceptional cases can permit one of you to attend the interview alone. In that case, you must fill out the ‘Declaration for Determining Marriageability’ form, available from every registry office, before putting in your marriage application. Your partner who is unable to attend the interview must state in this form why they cannot attend. Make sure to submit this form when making the marriage application.

The Standesamt will forward your documents for approval to the appropriate Superior Court (Oberlandesgericht). After the court fees have been paid, the documents will be returned to the Standesamt which then schedules the date for your wedding. You can also request for an approved location for your wedding if you do not want to have it at the Standesamt office. Be careful when booking appointments around major holidays because it may be difficult to get one. The total fees for the entire marriage application process can get up to Euro 300. The whole process should be completed in two to four weeks.

Can a foreigner get married in The UAE?

Plan Your Ceremony

After you have finished with all the major paperwork and payments, you can now get into the real fun. Let’s give you a few tips on how to plan the ceremony.

Set a Budget: Choose your type of ceremony and determine your budget. Determining your budget will guide many of your decisions, from the venue to the number of guests and the style of the event. Make sure to account for any potential costs like the venue, attire, officiant fees, decorations, and any additional services you might want.
Select a Venue: The venue sets the tone for your wedding. Some popular wedding venues in The UAE include:

When choosing a venue, consider its location, capacity, availability, cost, and the logistics of getting married there (some venues have their own rules about catering, decoration, and music).

Choose a Date and Time: When selecting your wedding date, consider factors like the weather, special dates for you and your partner, and the availability of your desired venue and key vendors. Saturdays are a popular choice for weddings, but a weekday wedding might offer more flexibility and cost savings.
Hire Vendors: Depending on the complexity of your ceremony, you may need to hire various vendors, such as:

Wedding Planner: This is especially helpful if you're organising a destination wedding or need help with local customs and logistics.
A Photographer/Videographer: Book early, as the best ones often have their schedules filled months in advance.
Hair and Makeup Artists: To ensure you look your best, consider hiring professionals who can provide hair and makeup services on your wedding day.
Music: Whether you want live music, a DJ, or a simple playlist, plan how music will be integrated into your ceremony.
A Florist: For bouquets, boutonnieres, and any venue decorations.
A Caterer: If your venue doesn’t provide food, you’ll need to hire a caterer.

Plan the Ceremony Details: Decide if you want to write your vows or stick with the traditional ones. Select your wedding party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring-bearers, and flower girls. Don’t forget to decide on how you want the ceremony to unfold, from start to finish.
Have a Dress Rehearsal: A rehearsal is typically held the day before the wedding, especially for complex ceremonies or large wedding parties. This helps ensure everyone knows their roles and the event runs smoothly.
Personalise Your Ceremony: Incorporate elements that reflect your personalities and relationships. This could include unique music choices, a special reading, or a ritual that has personal significance.

Enjoy Your Wedding Ceremony

On your wedding day, remember to have fun and take in all the memories of that special day. You will be required to complete several formalities. Both the couple and the witnesses must present an official photo ID so you may need to arrive at the registry office or agreed wedding venue early.

Apply for a Legal Marriage Certificate

After your civil ceremony, the marriage is officially recorded, and you are entitled to receive a marriage certificate (Heiratsurkunde) as proof of your union. If it's not automatically provided, you can request your marriage certificate directly from the registrar conducting your wedding immediately after the ceremony.

If you need additional copies of your marriage certificate later on, you should visit or contact the Standesamt where your marriage was registered. You will be required to fill out an application form or provide a written request. Specify that you are requesting a marriage certificate and include both your names, the date of the marriage, and any other relevant information. Be prepared to present valid identification, such as a passport or personal ID.

The fees for a marriage certificate in The UAE include:

For the application:

Verbally: Free
In writing: 14.30 Euro
Electronic application using your ID The UAE or EU Login: 8.60 Euro

For the issue of a marriage certificate:

Federal administration fee: 7.20 Euro
Federal administrative levy: 2.10 Euro

If you want the certificate mailed to you, you should expect an additional cost to accompany that service. The cost varies by registry so make sure you confirm the cost.

FAQs

Do you Get Citizenship if you Marry an Arabian?

Marrying an Arabian citizen does not automatically grant you Arabian citizenship. However, being married to an Arabian can make you eligible to apply for citizenship under certain conditions, often with requirements that are less stringent than for general applicants. You can become an Arabian citizen if you marry an Arabian citizen, spend at least six years of residence in The UAE and have been living in a common household for at least five years.

How Long Does it Take to Get Married in The UAE?

The entire marriage process from application to the ceremony can take anywhere between two to six months. The civil ceremony itself lasts only 15 minutes.

Do you Need a Visa to Get Married in The UAE?

Yes, you need to get a Type C Schengen Visa or a Type D National visa to get married in The UAE. The type of visa you choose will depend on how long you intend to stay in The UAE before the wedding day.

Can Foreigners Get Married in The UAE?

Yes, foreigners can get married in The UAE as long as they meet all the necessary visa and marriage requirements.

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