The fiancés
One of you is Swiss or holds a B or C permit, the other is a foreign national without a residence permit
covering the preparatory procedure for the marriage. This is the most common case.
Permits and family
Marrying in Switzerland when the fiancé(e)'s residence is not settled
The civil registry office cannot celebrate the marriage of a foreign fiancé(e) who does not establish the lawfulness of their stay. A permit exists for this specific case, on conditions set by case law.
For whom
The fiancés, and sometimes the employer
The employer, for an employee
An employee settled in Switzerland is preparing to marry a person living abroad: you can offer them
support for this step, then for the family reunification that follows.
The legal framework
What the Civil Code, the act and the Federal Supreme Court say
Our work
What we do for you
- Review of the foreign fiancé(e)'s residence situation and of the other fiancé(e)'s status
- Verification, from the outset, of the conditions for family reunification after the marriage
- Coordination of the timetable with the preparatory procedure of the civil registry office
- Drafting of the application and its supporting statement, filing with the cantonal migration authority
- Replies to requests for further information and follow-up until the decision
- Preparation of what follows: family reunification once the marriage has been celebrated
The documents
What generally needs to be gathered
- Passports of both fiancés and residence permit of the one living in Switzerland
- Civil status documents required by the civil registry office, translated and legalised as required
- Certificate from the civil registry office that the preparatory procedure has been opened
- Proof of the resources and housing of the future household
- Evidence showing the genuineness of the relationship
Fees
A flat fee per couple
Residence for the purpose of marriage
CHF 1,500 to CHF 2,500
flat fee per couple
The permit that allows a foreign fiancé(e) to prepare and celebrate a marriage in Switzerland, where their residence is not already settled.
- Review of the conditions laid down by case law and federal practice
- Coordination with the preparatory procedure of the civil registry office
- Demonstration of the conditions for family reunification after the marriage
- Filing and follow-up with the cantonal migration authority
The flat fee covers the permit application, not the civil registry procedure itself, which remains the couple's own.
Indicative amounts, excluding VAT (Swiss standard rate of 8.1% since 1 January 2024). They are confirmed in writing before any engagement, on the basis of the actual file. For an employer established abroad, the service is deemed to be supplied abroad within the meaning of art. 8 para. 1 LTVA and the invoice is issued without VAT. For a private individual domiciled abroad, the VAT treatment is specified in the proposal.
Limits of the engagement
The decision rests with the authorities
The first step
Preparing a marriage in Switzerland
Tell us the nationality and residence situation of each fiancé.
