#LifeInCzechia Christmas season is coming! Are you planning on proposing during these magical, cozy evenings? Great choice – but if one (or both) of you isn’t Czech, be ready for some paperwork. At Foreigners, we help couples navigate this every day, and trust us: the earlier you start, the smoother it will be. Even if your wedding is months away (hello, summer 2026!). Learn more in the article!
Plan ahead for your big day!
Start planning your wedding early to avoid the risk of getting your big day pushed back caused by the registry office refusing your documents, extra fees for urgent paperwork, or an invalid ceremony at the altar. Here’s all you need to know.
Type of Ceremony
In the Czech Republic, you can have either:
- a civil ceremony at a local Registry Office (matrika), or
- a religious ceremony performed by a registered clergy member.
You’ll need to contact the registry office responsible for the area where the wedding will take place and reserve a date. Religious weddings follow similar rules, but you’ll coordinate with the respective church.
Required Documents
To arrange a wedding, you’ll need a bunch of documents. As an EU citizen, prepare:
- Birth certificate
- Document proving your nationality (passport or national ID)
- Certificate of No Impediment (proof you’re legally free to marry)
- Documents confirming your personal status (single/divorced/widowed)
- If divorced: a final divorce decree
- If widowed: death certificate of the previous spouse
As a Non-EU citizen, you’ll also need:
- Proof of legal stay from the Foreign Police
- legalization and apostilization for all your documents.
Note: whether you’re an EU or Non-EU citizen, all of your documents need to be translated by a certified (sworn) translator.
Interpretation Requirements
If you don’t speak Czech, the law requires a court-approved interpreter. If he or she has not been officially appointed by the Ministry of Justice or the Chair of a Regional Court, the interpreter is obliged to take an oath in the presence of an official from the Office of Vital Records.
The interpreter must be fluent in both Czech and your native language. English usually does not qualify, unless the registry office explicitly accepts it.
During the ceremony, the interpreter also signs the Protocol on Contracting the Marriage – without them, the wedding is not legally valid.
Fees & Processing Time
Weddings are a costly event. Keep in mind that apart from the venue, translations, and legalization of documents, you’ll need to pay a fee for officiating the ceremony:
- Couples without Czech permanent residence pay around CZK 3,000.
- If one of you does have permanent residence, it’s about CZK 2,000.
- Outdoor venues or weddings outside office hours cost extra.
Processing times vary, but for foreigners, collecting, legalising, and translating documents can take weeks to months. Registry offices also book up fast — especially June–September.
If your wedding is next summer, start preparing now.
Need help? At Foreigners, We Have Your Back!
At Foreigners, we guide dozens of international couples through this process every year. We will:
- help you choose the right registry office and secure a date,
- handle certified translations and legalisations (apostille/superlegalisation),
- arrange a court-approved interpreter for the ceremony,
- manage communication with the Czech authorities.
If you plan to get married in Czechia — especially in summer — reach out now.
Starting early is the difference between a smooth celebration and a paperwork nightmare.
If you want to feel at home, check out our categories of “Living” and “Practical tips for expats” where you will find interesting information about the Czech Republic and recommendations on how to make the most out of your stay here.
Image sources: pexels
