Civil Marriages in Austria
Applications for a wedding in Austria must be submitted to the Vital Statistics Office (Standesamt) 8 weeks at least prior to the date of the wedding, and documentation sent at this time also.
If either party to the marriage is an Austrian citizen, or resides in Austria (regardless of citizenship), the application for marriage must be filed at the Standesamt in the locality of that residence.
If both parties to the marriage are non-Austrians and non-residents, the application should be filed at the Standesamt of the first district of Vienna. (see contacts)
Location of Civil Marriages
Civil weddings must take place in a Vital Statistics Office (Standesamt) and are performed by an officer of the Standesamt.
If the couple being married do not speak German a court appointed translator must attend the wedding at their expense and they must arrange this, though the Standesamt will supply a list.
Residency & Application
This is not exactly simple, so listen up!!
While theoretically there is no residency period, processing documentation takes 2-4 weeks and it is expected that at least one of the parties to the marriage will be in Austria throughout this time. The law in fact states that both parties must be present when documentation is lodged and when the marriage license is issued other than in exceptional circumstances.
One Party Present
Where both parties are not present during the preparatory period, you will need to complete a form called Ermächtigung. Essentially this gives permission, from both parties to the marriage, to the Standesamt to complete procedures with just one party. A form will be supplied by that office.
Neither Party Present
If neither of you can attend in person, discuss this with the officers of the Standesamt before starting the process. They will sometimes waive this requirement, though it is very much an decision made on a case by case basis, and will tell you what additional procedures are required locally.
If neither of you will be in Austria during this time, it is highly recommended that you employ either an experienced wedding coordinator or a lawyer or an attorney to act on your behalf and to deal with the administrative issues.
Please be sure you have clarified these issues to the satisfaction of the Standesamt before you do any further planning.
Paperwork and Legal Declarations
Documents, apart from passports, must be submitted in German with the translation completed by a certified translator.
- Legal identification in the form of passports (photocopies initially) and birth certificates (originals or certified copies) is required
- Proof of residence (driver's license or latest tax slip will usually suffice)
- You must provide the full names of your witnesses and copies of your witnesses' passports must accompany your application.
- A Certificate of No Impediment.
If the Marriage Officer has any doubt about the accuracy or genuineness of the certificate, the couple may be called upon to make a sworn declaration before the Registrar of a District Court that they are single and have never been married before or are otherwise free to marry. - Certificate of Custom & Law
This can only be issued by the embassy of your country in Austria, not in your home country, and states that the marriage will be valid in your country, that your passport is valid and that you are indeed a citizen of your country. - If previously married, a “Decree Absolute” of the dissolved marriage or “Certificate of Death” of a late partner. You also have to make a declaration on oath (affidavit) that you have not married again since those certificates were issued.
Age Requirements
18 years old without special permission.