Civil Marriages in Slovenia
Having a legal civil wedding in Slovenia is a very straightforward process for overseas couples, provided a little preparation is done in advance. A reservation at a registry office should be made at least 8 weeks (10 weeks is recommended) prior to the date of the wedding, and documentation sent at this time.
The bride and groom must attend in person at the registry office at least 24 hours before the wedding to finalise paperwork. Some registry offices require this attendance up to 8 days before the wedding, so you need to check this carefully.
Location of Civil Marriages
Civil weddings do not have to take place in a registry office but can be organised in hotels or at wedding halls, the latter often located in Castles. Weddings can be held both indoors and outside. An official from the local registry office will attend for the ceremony and all expenses involved in this are payable by the couple getting married.
Residency & Application
There is no residency period, but you will have to attend at the registry office in person at least one day and sometimes up to 8 days prior to the ceremony, so check this carefully at the time you make your application.
Applications should be made accompanied by all translated documentation to the Registry Office in the area where you will marry.
With the initial submission of documentation photocopies of passports are accepted, but you must produce the original copies when you attend at the registry office prior to your wedding.
Documentation & Legal Declarations
All documentation that you provide must be translated into the Slovene language. This translation must be completed by a certified translator (lists available from Embassies) and the translation certified by a notary. Translations can not be more than 3 months old when submitted.
- Legal identification in the form of passports (photocopies initially) and birth certificates (which must not be older than six months) is required
- You must provide the full names, professions, date of births and nationalities of your witnesses. One day prior to you wedding, your witnesses will have to present their passports at the registry office.
- 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. - Divorcees have to present the “Decree Absolute” of their dissolved marriage
- Widowed persons have to present the “Certificate of Death” of their late partner. Also they have to make a declaration on oath (affidavit) that they have not married again since then.
Period During Which Marriage Can Take Place
Once the formalities above have been completed, the marriage must be celebrated within 3 months at the latest, from the date the notice is given.
If, for any reason, the marriage is not celebrated within 3 months, the notice given and all consequential proceedings are considered to be void.
Age Requirements
18 without the special consent of a court.