Marriage Ceremony in the U.S.

Please submit the following documents and information to your Swiss representation: 

•  Additional Information for Marriage Registration (PDF, 2 Pages, 248.8 kB, English)
• Certified marriage certificate (not older than 6 months - no abstract). For documents not including the complete identity of both spouses (dates of birth, names of their parents, and civil status prior to the marriage) also submit a certified copy of the marriage license.
• Certified birth certificate (not older than 6 months - the document has to show the exact place/city of birth and names of the parents) of the foreign spouse, if born in the U.S.  If not born in the U.S., please clarify with the competent Swiss representation which type of birth certificate is necessary.
• Copy of foreign spouse’s passport indicating name after marriage
  
• If the foreign spouse was previously married: Certified final divorce decree (not older than 6 months), showing the exact date when the judgment was entered into effect AND the
  Additional Information Necessary for Legalization of Divorce Decrees. (PDF, 2 Pages, 525.0 kB, English)
• If the foreign spouse is widowed: Certified death certificate (not older than 6 months) of the former spouse.

Important: The documents will not be returned to you. Photocopies and documents certified by a notary public will not be accepted.

WARNING: the marriages celebrated via video conferencing in the State of Utah are NOT recognized by the Swiss civil status authorities. Swiss citizens and foreign citizens resident in Switzerland should therefore NOT make use of that option.

Marriage Ceremony in the U.S. (for non-resident Swiss Citizens)

Once the marriage is performed, the following documents should be submitted to the responsible Swiss representation for legalization/translation and transmission to the place of origin in Switzerland (there are no fees involved and a personal appearance is not required):

ATTENTION: for touristic marriages celebrated in Hawaii or in Las Vegas, please refer to the marriage information sheets in German and French in the following separate chapter.

• Additional Information for Marriage Registration (PDF, 2 Pages, 248.8 kB, English)
• Certified marriage certificate (not older than 6 months - no abstract). For documents not including the complete identity (dates of birth, the names of their parents, and the civil status prior to the marriage) also submit a certified copy of the marriage license.
• Copy of Certificate of Civil Status (if available)
• Certificate of Residence
• Copies of passports

Important: The documents will not be returned to you. Photocopies and documents certified by a notary public will not be accepted.

WARNING: the marriages celebrated via video conferencing in the State of Utah are NOT recognized by the Swiss civil status authorities. Swiss citizens and foreign citizens resident in Switzerland should therefore NOT make use of that option.

Marriage Ceremony in Hawaii or in Las Vegas (for Swiss tourists)

Information sheet in German
Informationsblatt für Eheschliessungen von Schweizer Touristen (PDF, 5 Pages, 457.0 kB, English)

Information sheet in French
Feuille d'information pour mariage de touristes suisses (PDF, 5 Pages, 514.0 kB, English)

Partnership Ceremony in the U.S.

The following documents and information have to be submitted to the competent Swiss representation:

•  Additional Information for Registration of a Domestic Partnership  (PDF, 2 Pages, 865.6 kB)
• Certified copy of the partnership contract (not older than 6 months - no abstract). For documents not including the complete identity of both partners (dates of birth, the names of their parents, and the civil status prior to the marriage) also submit a certified copy of the marriage license.
• Certified birth certificate (not older than 6 months - the document has to show the exact place/city of birth and names of the parents) of the foreign partner, if born in the U.S.  If not born in the U.S., please clarify with the competent Swiss representation which type of birth certificate is necessary.)
• Copy of foreign partner’s passport indicating name after marriage
• If the foreign partner was previously married: Certified final divorce decree (not older than 6 months), showing the exact date when the judgment was entered into effect AND the completed
  Additional Information necessary for Legalization of Domestic Partnership Divorce Decrees (PDF, 2 Pages, 262.7 kB, English)
• If the foreign partner is widowed: Certified death certificate of the late spouse (not older than 6 months) .

Important: The documents will not be returned to you. Photocopies and documents certified by a notary public will not be accepted.

Report your marriage or partnership online:

Online desk

Please refer to the information provided on the page of the Swiss representation in the country where the marriage or partnership was performed. 

Select country: Swiss representations abroad

If you have or your spouse or partner (male or female) has changed your/their domicile, you must report this change. 

Registration and deregistration, change of address

If you have changed your surname, you will have to ask the appropriate authorities to reissue certain official documents (passport, identity card, driving licence, etc.). If you have not changed your surname, you do not need to do anything, as civil status is not indicated on Swiss identity documents.

Order an identity document

If you plan to travel to Switzerland or take up residence here and your spouse or partner (male or female) is not a Swiss citizen, they may need a visa to enter Switzerland and/or a residence permit. 

Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

People who are not citizens of Switzerland do not automatically acquire Swiss citizenship through marriage or registered partnership. More information here: 

Citizenship

The change in your civil status and possibly your name must also be communicated to the various authorities of your domicile abroad (residents' registration office, immigration authorities, the tax office, etc.).

If you are a citizen of more than one country, you should ask the foreign authorities concerned whether your marriage or partnership must be reported to them.