For “Registered Partnerships” please click here (PDF 40 KB).
This information sheet is for American citizens who wish to marry within the Embassy’s consular district. The Swiss civil registrars in Basel, Bern, Lausanne and Geneva have provided the information. Although we believe this information to be accurate, the only definitive statement of requirements for marriage is that given by the Swiss civil registrar in the town or city where you wish to be married. Swiss law precludes a consular officer from performing marriages. The performance of marriage in Switzerland is exclusively a function of the Swiss civil authorities (i.e. the civil registrar). Only a civil marriage has legal status. A religious ceremony may be held after the civil marriage.
Swiss Documentary Requirements for all U. S. Citizens
- Birth Certificate. You must have a certified copy of your birth certificate, translated into German/French/Italian, issued within the last six months (original birth certificate is not accepted). It must show your full name, date and place of birth, and the full names of your parents, including your mother’s maiden name. If you do not have a copy of your birth certificate, check out http://www.vitalrec.com to find out how to obtain a duplicate.
- U.S. passport. A valid passport is required, except for military personnel.
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Affidavit. Each U.S. Citizen must execute an affidavit before a U.S. consular officer, or a notary public in the United States, in which he states under oath that he is legally free to marry. You should present your U.S. passport and, if applicable, evidence of termination of previous marriage(s). You can apply for the affidavit at the Embassy in Bern or the Consular Agencies in Geneva and Zurich. The cost is US $50.00 or 50 Swiss Francs (CHF).
All of the required documents must be presented at the time of application.
Additional Documents for Some Americans
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Military or civilian employees of the Armed Forces
a) A military ID card is required; b) Written authorization to marry issued by the commanding officer must be presented. -
Divorced or widowed. Divorced or widowed persons must present a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If divorced, the applicant must show that the divorce is legally effective in his state of domicile in the United States. The divorce decree must state the date it became effective, that is, the final decree, not the interlocutory decree. In addition, a certificate of the previous marriage may be required.
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Under Age. A written statement of consent by the parents signed before a notary public is required. The determination if you are under age will be based on the laws of the state of domicile in the United States. Females and males under 18 years of age cannot be married in Switzerland. This is Swiss law.
General Information
You should contact the civil registrar in the city or town where you wish to be married for information concerning fees, witnesses and the translation of documents. No period of residence in Switzerland is required for marriage by a civil registrar. The waiting period after the documents are submitted to the civil registrar can last up to 5 weeks to allow for the publication of bans. The addresses of the main civil registrars’ offices are:
- Zivilstandsamt
Rittergasse 11
4051 Basel
Tel: 061 267 95 90
www.zivilstandsamt.bs.ch
E-mail: zva@bs.ch - Zivilstandskreis Bern-Mittelland
Laupenstrasse 18A
3008 Bern
Tel: 031 635 4200 Fax: 031 635 4201
E-mail: za.mittelland@pom.be.ch - Etat civil
37, rue de la Mairie
1207 Genève
Tel: 022 418 66 50
Fax: 022 418 66 51
E-mail: webmaster@ville-ge.ch - Etat civil
8, rue Beau-Séjour
1003 Lausanne
Tel: 021 315 29 82
E-mail: centre.etatcivil@vd.ch - Ufficio dello Stato Civile
Palazzo Civico
Piazza Riforma
6900 Lugano
Tel: 091 800 70 33
E-mail: di-usc.lugano@ti.ch - Zivilstandsamt
Obergrundstrasse 1
6003 Luzern
Tel: 041 208 81 11
www.stadtluzern.ch
E-mail: za@stadtluzern.ch - Zivilstandsamt Stadthaus
Stadthausquai 17
8001 Zurich
Tel: 044 216 31 11
www.stadt-zuerich.ch