Marriage between Czech Nationals and Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic
A citizen of the Czech Republic may enter into marriage with a foreign national in the Czech Republic through a civil or religious marriage. A marriage is contracted by the free and complete consent of the man and woman who intend to enter into marriage (the fiancés), declaring that they are entering into marriage. A joint declaration of consent is made publicly during the wedding ceremony in the presence of two witnesses.
Parties and Conditions
How and Where to apply
- to preliminarily decide on the place and intended date of a marriage;
- in case of a civil marriage, contact the Office of Vital Records under the jurisdiction of which the place selected for the marriage falls (further information will be provided by the Office of Vital Records).
- in case of a religious marriage, contact the authorized person in charge of the particular church or religious community
What you should submit
A ’Questionnaire for Entering into Marriage’ is available at the relevant Office of Vital Records or you may download it here (pdf, 27 kB). The form must be completed by both fiancés and submitted to the Office of Vital Records under the jurisdiction of which the place where the marriage is to be contracted falls, alongside the documents required for contracting the marriage.
According to §33 of the Act on Offices of Vital Records, a fiancé who is a Czech national and has permanent residency in the Czech Republic, must prove his identity and provide also the following:
- birth certificate
- proof of Czech citizenship
- extract from the Information System of Inhabitant Records on his/her place of his/her permanent residence
- extract from the Information System of Inhabitant Records on his/her personal status
- a final and conclusive judgment on divorce with regard to any previous marriage or the death certificate of any deceased spouse, or an officially authenticated extract from the register of a registered partnership proving that such registered partnership was terminated by a court decision, or the death certificate of any deceased partner.
- his/her birth certificate;
- a document proving his/her nationality;
- a certificate proving his/her legal competence to enter into marriage - which may not be, as of the date of the marriage, older than six months;
- a certificate proving his/her personal status and residence if such certificates can be issued by the country concerned;
- the death certificate of any deceased spouse, if the foreign national is a widow(er); such certificate is not required if this fact is included in the certificate on legal competence to enter into marriage;
- a final and conclusive judgment on divorce with regard to any previous marriage if the foreign national concerned is divorced;
- a certificate proving that the marriage will be accepted as valid, if it is concluded by a proxy;
- a final and conclusive judgment terminating a registered partnership or a death certificate of any deceased partner, if the foreign national lived in a partnership;
- proof of identity.
For further information concerning the issuance of such certificates (for example the opening hours of the Foreign Police) see here.
Forms
- Fiancés may obtain the Questionnaire for Entering into Marriage at any Office of Vital Records. Part 1 of the Questionnaire will be filled in along with an official of the Office of Vital Records (registrar). Part 2 is completed only by the relevant registrar.
- The Protocol on Contracting the Marriage is filled in by a registrar together with the fiancés, or at least one fiancé in accordance with the public deeds and documents submitted by both fiancés.
Fees
- Entering into marriage between two persons none of whom has permanent residence in the Czech Republic - CZK 3,000.
- Entering into marriage between two persons one of whom has permanent residence in the Czech Republic - CZK 2,000.
- Permission to enter into marriage outside business hours or not in an office officially designated for marriages - CZK 1, 000
- In all other cases an administrative fee for entering into marriage is not set.
- A fiancé will pay CZK 500 for a certificate confirming his/her legal competence to enter into marriage.
Time limits
Further Participants
The interpreter signs the Protocol on Contracting the Marriage. He/she proves his/her identity to the registrar.
Legal Basis:
- Act No. 94/1963 Coll. on Family, as ammended (pdf, 708 kB)
- Act No. 301/2000 Coll. on Offices of Vital Records, Names and Surnames and on the Amendment to Some Other Related Acts, as amended (pdf, 452 kB)
- Decree No. 207/2001 Coll. Implementing the Act No. 301/2000 Coll. on Offices of Vital Records, Names and Surnames and on the Amendment to Some Other Related Acts, as amended (pdf, 108 kB)
- Act No. 97/1963Coll. on International Private and Procedural Law, as amended(pdf, 877 kB)
- Communication No.235/1995 Coll. Of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic on the Agreement between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic on the adjustment of certain issues in the area of the Offices of Vital Recordsand citizenship (pdf, 156 kB)
Supplementary Legal Documents:
- Act No. 634/2004 Coll. on administrative fees, as amended(pdf, 5 MB)
- Act No. 326/1999 Coll. on the residence of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic and on the amendment of other laws(pdf, 663 kB)
- Act No. 325/1999 Coll. on asylum and the amendment of Act No. 283/1991 Coll. On the Police of the Czech Republic, as amended (pdf, 663 kB)
Legal Remedies:
The appeal shall be made throughthe Office of Vital Records that issued the decision.
Sanctions:
This text was issued by:
- Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic, Department of General Administration, Unit for Citizenship and Offices of Vital Records
e-mail: jhalova@mvcr.cz, nicol.novakova@mvcr.cz, marie.kachlikova@mvcr.cz
(business hours: MO and WE 8.00 to 17.00)