How to Get Married in Switzerland as a Foreigner

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 recognised 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 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 either German, French, Italian or Romansh, so if neither of you is fluent, you will need an interpreter..

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 Switzerland are. Here are the criteria you need to meet before getting married in Switzerland: 

General Pre-Marital Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have the legal capacity to be married.
• You must not already be married or be in a registered partnership.
• You must not be closely related.
• If you are a foreigner, you must have the right entry visa.

Documentation Requirements

For the Swiss Citizen

• Proof of identity and a current certificate of residence.

For the Foreigner

• Proof of identity such as an international passport.
• A current certificate of residence.
• Your birth certificate (original or certified showing mother and father's names, bearing the stamp apostille).
• An adoption certificate (if you are adopted).
• Proof of singleness such as a certificate of unmarried status, divorce certificates, death certificates, etc.
• Your temporary residence permit.
• Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis).
• A declaration of marriage recognition from your country(ies), if available (if you and your intended spouse are foreigners and do not live in Switzerland).
• Documents on the birth, gender, names and parentage of joint children (if you have children together).

All of the above documents that are not in an official Swiss language need to be translated by a certified translator or a certified translation service in Switzerland (Beglaubigte Übersetzung). Translayte is a language service provider that provides you with highly skilled certified translators who work to accurately convey the message of your documents. You can get Swiss 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 Switzerland. 
 

How to Get Married in Switzerland

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

Get a Visa

You need to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland to get married if you are not a Swiss 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 Switzerland, up to 90 days within 180 days. If you plan to have your wedding and leave Switzerland within 90 days, this is the appropriate visa. Applications are typically submitted through the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country. You'll need to provide proof of your intention to marry alongside other documents like proof of accommodation, return tickets, and financial means.

The Type D National visa is for longer stays in Switzerland exceeding 90 days but not exceeding six months. If your wedding preparations require you to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days, or if you plan to stay in Switzerland 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 Switzerland.

Submit a Marriage Application

The next step to getting married in Switzerland is to put in a marriage application. You can get the ‘Application to Prepare for Marriage’ form from the registry office. After you have completed the application form, it must be submitted in person along with the required documents to the registry office. If you both live abroad, you should submit the completed application form and the required documents through the Swiss Representation in person.

After your application has been submitted, the civil registrar will examine it and tell you if you are fit to be married. If your marriage is approved, your wedding can take place within 3 months. 

Plan Your Ceremony

After you have finished with all the major paperwork and payments, you can now get into the real fun. You and the registry office will agree on the details of the ceremony. Here are some tips on how to plan your wedding in Switzerland: 

1. 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.

2. Select a Venue: The venue sets the tone for your wedding. Some popular wedding venues in Switzerland include: 

• The Dolder Grand
• Le Bijou
• Tarasp Castle
• Schilthorn
• Aigle Castle

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).

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. The civil registrar will officiate the civil marriage ceremony and then afterwards, you can have the religious ceremony. The religious ceremony cannot happen before the civil ceremony. 

Apply for a Legal Marriage Certificate

After your civil ceremony, the marriage is officially recorded, and you are entitled to receive a marriage certificate 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.
 

Related Posts

Marrying Abroad: Mexico Marriage Requirements 101

Marrying Abroad: Portugal Marriage Requirements 101

Tying the Knot in France? Here’s how to get Married in France as a Foreigner