Switzerland

Department of Tourism website: www.myswitzerland.com
Image: photo by swiss-image.ch

The majestic Alps, lush green valleys, quaint hillside hamlets, friendly people, fondue and chocolate….Switzerland has “beaucoup” to offer as a European destination for your nuptials.  Depending on which region you are in, you can also feel like you are in Italy, France or Germany as all three cultures are reflected, but all are uniquely Swiss as well.

It is not easy to marry in Switzerland, but who have chosen this picturesque location will assure you that it is worth the effort.  Just leave plenty of time, and hire a wedding planner to help you with the paperwork and process.  One option to consider if your dream is to exchange vows on an Alpine summit with white capped mountains as your backdrop is to have a legal ceremony at home, and then enjoy a symbolic exchange of vows or blessing in Switzerland.

 
Quick Facts

• Language:       French, German, Italian, Romansh
• Passport:         Yes
• Currency:        Swiss Franc
• Time Zone:       UTC +1
• Major Airports:  Zurich International Airport, Geneva International Airport, Basel-Mulhouse International Airport
• Weather:   Switzerland offers wonderful weather year round with no extremes of hot and cold.  The summers, which last from June to September are pleasant with temperatures ranging from 65° - 82° F.  The autumn and spring daytime temperatures range between 46° - 59° F and the winter is colder with temperatures from 28° - 45° F during January and February. Ski resorts are generally open between November and April. 

Marriage Regulations

 It is highly recommended that you utilize a wedding planner who is familiar with Swiss marriage regulations if you want to be legally married in Switzerland.  One thing to keep in mind is that only civil marriages are legally recognized in Switzerland and the ceremony takes place at a Registry Office in the presence of two witnesses. Ceremonies cannot take place on Sunday or holidays.  You may elect to have a religious ceremony or blessing follow the civil event.

Application for marriage is made at the Registry Office in the district in which you would like to be married, or through an authorized representative.  Non-Swiss citizens should ask their local Registry Office for information and a detailed list of the documents needed for the marriage application.

Required documentation may vary by Registry Office, but in general you will most likely need to provide: Passport, Notarized affidavit stating current address and marital status (single, divorced or widowed), Birth Certificates (certified copy in German, French or Italian) showing the names of the parents.  If previously married: a certified copy of the final divorce decree, or death certificate of the former spouse, and a completed marriage request form available from the Registry Office.  All documents must be translated into German, Italian or French depending on the location of the Registry.  We also discovered an unusual law that requires a waiting period of 300 days before a woman can remarry in Switzerland.

Once the documents and form have been completed the registrar may require an interview and this is by appointment only and you will be notified in writing if the application is approved. This will take about five weeks to allow for the publication of bans.  The marriage ceremony must take place within a minimum of ten days and a maximum of three months after the approval is granted.