Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Getting Married in Switzerland or Australia

Getting Married in Switzerland or Australia

Getting married in Switzerland

Australian citizens wishing to marry in Switzerland are requested to contact the local registry office (Zivilstandamt / l’office de l’état civil / l’ufficio dello stato civile) where they plan to get married to obtain authorisation and a list of documents required.

More information can be found at: Going overseas to get married? | Smartraveller

Expect to provide Swiss authorities with:

  • Your birth certificate - needs to be an original and must not be older than 6 months. A new recent birth certificate can be ordered with the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry where you were born. A certified translation is normally required for any documents not in one of the three official Swiss languages (French, German and Italian). An Apostille may also be requested for legalisation purposes
  • Divorce/Death certificate (if applicable)
  • Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) - a CNI can be applied for through the Australian Consulate-General, Geneva. If you would like to apply for a CNI please visit the Smartraveller website to download the application form

Documents required if resident in Australia

  • Your birth certificate - needs to be an original and must not be older than 6 months. A new recent birth certificate can be ordered with the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry where you were born.
  • Single Status Declaration - Australians who do not live in Switzerland should contact the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry to obtain an Australian single status declaration.
  • Proof of Address - Australians, resident in Australia, should contact the Swiss registry office and ask what they will accept as proof of address.
  • Previous marriage/death certificates - if one of the partners has been married before, a divorce certificate or the former partner’s death certificate needs to be provided. If the former marriage was in Australia, the decree absolute of the divorce is requested. All papers must be originals and translated if required.

Is an Appointment required?

Applications for CNIs must be completed in person at an appointment. Please see our notarial appointment information at the top of this page.

What to bring to your appointment?

  1. Completed CNI application form but DO NOT sign before your appointment
  2. Your passport
  3. Your original documents (for both parties) – birth certificates, divorce/death certificates if applicable
  4. Your credit/debit card for payment Fees - Passport and Notarial Services
  5. The processing time is two business days. Your documents can either be mailed to you (postage fees apply) or collected in person at an appointment.

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 is given to the authorised celebrant performing the marriage ceremony at least 1 month (but not more than 18 months) before your wedding.

What to bring to your appointment?

  • Completed Notice of Intended Marriage application form but DO NOT sign before your appointment
  • Your passport or similar photo identification
  • Your credit/debit card for payment Fees - Passport and Notarial Services
  • The processing time is two business days. Your documents can either be mailed to you (postage fees apply) or collected in person at an appointment.

More information can be found at:  Get married in Australia and  Births, deaths and marriages registries | australia.gov.au