Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Getting Married in Switzerland or Australia

Marriage in Switzerland

Marriages are not performed at Australian Embassies or Missions overseas. To be legally married, a marriage in Switzerland (overseas) must take place at a Civil Registry Office.

To marry in Switzerland, you must meet certain requirements and submit an official marriage application to the civil register office (Zivilstandamt / l’office de l’état civil / l’ufficio dello stato civile), and they will explain how to prepare for the ceremony.

Visit the Swiss Confederation website CH.CH - Getting married where you will find detailed information, including:

  • Contact details for all civil registry offices in Switzerland.
  • How to obtain a visa for the purpose of marriage.

More information can be found at: 

Expect to provide the Swiss Civil Registry Office with:

  • Birth certificates for both parties: Must be an original and recently issued*, not older than 6 months.
  • Single Status Certificate: Must be an original and recently issued*, not older than 6 months.
  • If either party divorced or widowed: Divorce certificate or deceased partner's death certificate. 
  • An official translation is normally required for documents not in one of the three official Swiss languages (French, German and Italian).
  • Foreign issued documents must be legalised (Apostille/Authentication).
  • Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI)
  • Proof of your address*
 

Marriage in Australia

In accordance with the Marriage Act 1961, a marriage cannot be solemnized in Australia unless a notice in writing of the intended marriage (NOIM) is given to the authorised celebrant performing the marriage ceremony at least 1 month (but not more than 18 months) before your wedding.

More information can be found on the Attorney-General’s Department website:

 

Marriage in a country other than Switzerland or Australia

The CNI application can be lodged in Geneva for a marriage taking place in a country other than Switzerland or Australia (i.e. France). You can sign the CNI application form in our office and we will make certified copies of your original documents that are required as part of your CNI application. The payment of the CNI fee will also be taken at the appointment.

The CNI cover letter must be issued by the Australian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the marriage will take place (i.e. France). Please confirm the CNI delivery option and postage fee or collecting with the issuing Embassy or Consulate.

Important: Before requesting an appointment in Geneva, please confirm with the Australian Embassy or Consulate in the country you will marry the requirements, including original documents and translations.

 

Is an appointment required?

Yes, an in-person appointment is required a Consular Officer to witness your signature on a CNI form or a Diplomatic Officer to witness your signature on a NOIM form.

 

How to book an appointment?

All notarial appointments are held in Geneva only (not Bern) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The current waiting time for an appointment is 1-2 weeks - please advise us if your request is urgent.

Appointments can only be made by sending an email to: [email protected] (click this email link to auto-populate the below required information in your email).

Please provide the following in your email:

  1. Title your email subject with: “Last name”, “First Name” – Notarial Appointment
  2. Your full name, contact phone number and email address
  3. The full name of anyone else requiring the same service
  4. Preferred 'day' (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) and ‘time’ (morning/afternoon preference)
  5. Where you will be coming from
  6. Specific details of the notarial service you require: Full instructions from the requesting authority must be provided before an appointment can be scheduled. Please attach these details to your appointment request email.
  7. Country where the marriage will take place
 

What to bring to your appointment?

For a marriage in Switzerland:

  1. Completed CNI application form (DO NOT sign before your appointment). If both parties are Australian, then two CNI forms are required.
  2. Australian citizen: Your valid Australian passport.
  3. Foreign partner: Their valid foreign passport or valid photo identification
  4. If either party is divorced: Divorce Certificate for the previous marriage.
  5. If either party is widowed: Deceased partner's Death Certificate.
  6. Your credit/debit card for payment: Fees and payment methods.

Supporting documents can be originals, or certified true copies.

The CNI processing time is 2 business days. Your documents can either be mailed to you (Swiss address - postage fees apply) or collected in-person at an appointment.

 

For a marriage in Australia:

  1. Completed NOIM application form (DO NOT sign before your appointment).
  2. Valid passport for both parties signing the form.
  3. Your credit/debit card for payment – Fees and payment methods.

 

*Australian Birth Certificate, Single Status Certificate (or No Record of Marriage) and Address Confirmations 

The Australian Embassy and Consulate cannot issue statements of address confirmation, civil status and/or statutory declarations for use in Switzerland (overseas). Check with the Swiss Civil Registry Office if they will allow/accept for you to make a sworn declaration with a Swiss public notary.

A new Australian birth certificate and/or a single status certificate can be issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) in Australia. There is a fee involved, but you can apply online.