Procedure and tips in arranging civil marriages in Ticino Written by: Ticino Turismo, March 2023
Intro
The team from Ticino Tourism shares tips and procedures in arranging civil marriages in Ticino in four steps. For Swiss citizens living outside Ticino as well as for foreign citizens with Swiss residency.
For Swiss citizens living outside Ticino or foreign citizens with Swiss residency
Step 1: Announce to the Civil Register Office
The couple needs to announce to the competent authority (civil register office) of their township (if the couple has different townships, they need to choose one out of the two and announce themselves), that they wish to get married. The civil register office will advise them about the procedures and the papers they need to present. After presenting the required papers, the township will issue a written 3 months authorization permit. Within these 3 months, the couple will be able to marry everywhere in Switzerland.
Step 2: Contact the Civil Register Office where you get married
Depending on where the couple wishes to get married in Ticino, they need to contact one of the eight district civil register offices in Ticino (Ufficio distrettuale dello stato civile). Please find the list in the following page
Step 3: Choose a Wedding Hall
The couple needs to present all the requested papers to the district civil register office, then decide in which wedding hall to get married, contact the competent authority (contact information are given by the district civil register office) and set a date in conjunction with the authority.
Step 4: Organize the Wedding
The organization of the wedding ceremony and the celebration are at the discretion of the spouses. If necessary, they can contact a local wedding planner
For foreign citizens without Swiss residency
Step 1: Announce to the Embassy
The couple needs to announce to the closest Swiss Embassy/Consulate their intention of getting married in Switzerland. The Swiss competent authority will inform them about the procedures and the required preliminary papers.
Step 2: Contact the District Civil Register Office
After the Swiss Embassy/Consulate invites the couple to contact one of Ticino’s eight district civil register offices. The bride and groom-to-be will need the help of an interpreter if neither of them speak one of the three Swiss national languages (Italian, German or French).
Step 3: Choose a Wedding Hall
The couple needs to present all the requested papers to the district civil register office, then decide in which wedding hall to get married, contact the competent authority (contact information are given by the district civil register office) and set a date in conjunction with the authority.
Step 4: Organize the Wedding
The organization of the wedding ceremony and the celebration are at the discretion of the spouses. If necessary, they can contact a local wedding planner