Getting married in Czechia as a foreigner: documents, certificate of no impediment, interpreter and the CZK 3,000–5,000 fee

Updated: 13 November 2026

You can marry in Czechia without Czech citizenship — at a town hall, a castle or in a garden. But preparing a foreigner’s documents takes weeks or even months. Here is what to collect, what it costs and how not to lose your wedding date.

The foreign partner’s documents

1. Marriage questionnaire (from the registry office).
2. Passport and residence permit card.
3. Birth certificate.
4. Proof of citizenship (usually the passport is enough).
5. Certificate of legal capacity to marry from your country of citizenship — no older than 6 months. Your embassy often issues it.
6. Certificate of marital status and residence (if your country issues one; otherwise a sworn statement).
7. Divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse — if previously married.
8. Confirmation of legal stay in Czechia — no older than 7 working days on the wedding day (not needed for EU citizens).

Translation and apostille

• All foreign documents (except the questionnaire and passport) need a translation by a Czech sworn translator.
• Documents from non-EU countries need an apostille or legalisation — except countries with a legal assistance treaty. Ukrainian documents need no apostille.
• Translations and verification take time — start at least 2–3 months before the wedding.

Interpreter and witnesses

If either partner does not speak Czech, an interpreter is mandatory at the ceremony — a sworn interpreter or another person approved by the registrar. You pay for them and give their name in advance. You also need two witnesses with ID.

Costs

• Marriage fee: CZK 3,000 if only one partner has permanent residence in Czechia; CZK 5,000 if neither does.
• Extra: a ceremony outside standard times or venues, translations, apostilles, the interpreter.

After the wedding

• Report the change of marital status (and surname) to the Ministry of the Interior within 3 working days.
• Recognition of the marriage in your home country — via your embassy or civil registry, with a translated certificate.
• Marriage can be the basis for family reunification, but marriages of convenience for residence are checked very carefully.

Common mistakes

• The certificate of legal capacity expires before the wedding date.
• Translation made abroad rather than by a Czech sworn translator.
• The confirmation of legal stay obtained too early — and it is no longer valid.
• Not reporting the change of surname or status to the Ministry.

Sources

• Portál veřejné správy — před svatbou: občanský sňatek, Čech + cizinec v ČR
• epravo.cz — uzavírání občanských sňatků cizinci na území ČR
• Veřejný ochránce práv — povinnosti cizinců s dlouhodobým pobytem

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Check the current rules before making a decision, or contact us.