Contents:
Marriage
zur deutschsprachigen Version
to the German version
General
Anyone desiring to get legally married in Austria needs to be married by a registrar at a register office [Standesamt] in the presence of at least two witnesses.
Please note: Confessional (non-civil) marriages are not considered legally binding by the authorities.
Anyone getting married must first register with the register office [Standesamt] of the place of residence of one of the two partners.
Please note: The wedding ceremony may be performed at another register office [Standesamt].
The civil status office responsible for the place of residence of one of the partners:
- the register office or register office association [Standesamt oder Standesamtsverband]
- in statutory cities: the register office [Standesamt] of the Magistrate
- in Vienna: the register offices [Standesämter in Wien] in Vienna
If you have no permanent or current residence in Austria, the register office of your last place of residence is responsible. In all other cases, the Register Office "Vienna – Inner City" [Standesamt Wien – Innere Stadt] is responsible.
Registering to get married
You can register to get married as early as six months prior to the desired wedding date. There is no minimum interval between registration and the marriage ceremony. However, in larger cities expect an average waiting time of two to six weeks.
To register with the register office [Standesamt], generally both partners have to appear in person. Only in exceptional cases does the presence of one of the two partners suffice.
During an oral interview, the registrar will determine
- marriageability before the law
- if there is any other bar to marriage
regarding the future spouses. Subsequently, the registrar will prepare a statement of marriageability ["Aufgebot"].
Please note: When registering for marriage, the partners can declare to the registrar which name the couple intends to use when married. For that reason it is advisable to decide on the name desired before getting married. Partners must have agreed on the name no later than on their wedding day.
If one of the partners does not speak German, the couple must bring a sworn interpreter [gerichtlich beeidete Dolmetscher] with them.
Austrian citizens, who are single and of legal majority need:
- official identification with photo
- copy from the birth register; the copy should have been issued within the last six months; or a copy of the birth certificate
Please note: Anyone born before 1 January 1939 should enquire with the responsible authority. - proof of citizenship
- residence registration form or proof of current residence (e.g., confirmation by your hotel)
- if applicable, documentary proof of academic degrees
If you are a foreign citizen:
- certification of marriageability
- birth certificate or a similar certificate
- passport or other proof of citizenship and a photo ID
- residence registration form or proof of current residence (e.g., confirmation by your hotel)
- if applicable, documentary proof of academic degrees
If you were previously married: in addition
- marriage certificate(s) of previous marriages
- proof of nullification/annulment or divorce of previous marriages (Resolution or decree with valid confirmation of the outcome, including a stamp attesting validity!)
- death certificate of the late spouse
If you and your future spouse have one or several biological children born out of wedlock: in addition
- birth certificate(s) of the child(ren)
- statement of paternity of the biological children (if the father is not recorded on the birth certificate(s))
- proof of citizenship, if available
- proof of the children’s residence
Anyone who is not a legally independent adult (including those not of marriageable age) also needs:
- for 16 to 18 year olds:
- declaration of marriageability issued by a court (with valid confirmation of validity, including a stamp attesting validity!)
- written approval by legal guardians
- if a trustee has been appointed, his or her written approval or a relevant court decision
Anyone not present when registering to get married also needs:
- form "Erklärung zur Ermittlung der Ehefähigkeit" (Statement of marriageability)
Please note: All foreign language documents must be presented in the original along with a German translation, certified in Austria. Such a translation may only be done by a translator sworn and certified in Austria. A list of such translators and interpreters [gerichtlich beeidete Dolmetscher] is available on the pages of the Federal Ministry of Justice [Bundesministerium für Justiz].
Please note: In order to accept foreign documents, many countries require an apostille or authentication. For more information please refer to the pages of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs [Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten].
Depending on the number of documents required, fees may vary. All fees and charges, including those for performing the wedding ceremony and issuing the marriage certificate(s), are due when you register to get married.
- Record of marriageability [Niederschrift zur Ermittlung der Ehefähigkeit]: 13.20 euro
- Possible additional recording fees for documents:
- 3.60 euro for each document that has not previously been recognised, or had a fee imposed
(e.g. divorce decree, translations) - 6.60 euro for each foreign certificate that has not previously been recognised, or had a fee imposed
(e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate) - 13.20 euro per confirmation
(e.g. certification of marriageability, residence permit)
- 3.60 euro for each document that has not previously been recognised, or had a fee imposed
- Wedding ceremony:
- 5.45 euro if the wedding ceremony is performed during regular business hours at the register office
- 54.50 euro if the wedding ceremony is performed outside the register office
- 10.90 euro if the wedding is performed outside regular business hours of the register office
- Issuance of marriage certificates [Heiratsurkunden]: 8,70 euro each (usually two or three copies)
Please note: Additional services such as music might incur additional costs.
Please note: Anyone married to an Austrian citizen may apply for Austrian citizenship [österreichische Staatsbürgerschaft] after five years of marriage.
Name and address change after marriage
Please find out if your marriage must be registered with the responsible diplomatic representation. Please inform the following authorities and institutions about possible name and address changes:
- authorities issuing personal documents (e.g. passport, personal ID card, driver's licence)
- banks
- employer
- GIS (radio fees)
- insurance companies
- job center [Arbeitsmarktservice (AMS)]
- social insurance organisation [Sozialversicherung]
- tax office [Finanzamt]
- vehicle registration office [Kfz-Zulassungsstelle] (registration license)
