Getting married in Slovenia
As a foreigner, you can marry in Slovenia, either to a Slovene citizen or another foreigner. Slovene law considers only civil marriage ceremonies to be valid, although you may also have a religious wedding ceremony. In Slovenia, marriage between same-sex couples is recognised.
Legal requirements
Both parties must be at least 18 years old at the day of the marriage. If either party is under the age of 18, then written parental consent must be provided.
Both parties must not be related by blood, marriage, or adoption
Two witnesses must be present to witness the ceremony, and they must be present to show their passports to the registry office the day before the ceremony
Regulations
All marriages must be registered at the Marriage Registry Office of the Administrative Unit in the region of the wedding. This can be done up to six months before the wedding date, but no later than 14 days before the date.
Marriage applicants must submit to the Administrative Unit:
- Original birth certificates or certified copies for you and your spouse
- Your passports
- Certificate of No Legal Impediments (A Free to Marry Certificate) for you and your spouse. This is issued upon request by your Embassy.
- Evidence of dissolution of previous marriages, if any. For example, final divorce, Death Certificate of the deceased spouse, etc.. Please note that the Slovene district court has to certify the divorce decree that's been issued in another country.
Both parties must be present when submitting the paperwork. If this is not possible, a third person must attend with a Power of Attorney, allowing them to act on behalf of the absent person.
The wedding is performed in the Slovene language, however, an interpreter can be hired to be present and translate at the ceremony. After the wedding, the Administrative Unit will issue a formal certificate of marriage. This certificate can be sealed with an apostille, and might be required by your home country for legal recognition of the marriage within that country, and could also be needed for visa requirements.
Important:
It's your responsibility to assign to an official translator the translation of all documents that are not in Slovene.
Wedding traditions in Slovenia
Traditional weddings in Slovenia include pre-wedding games and frivolities, and the act of sragna, in which the husband-to-be demonstrates his strength by sawing a log. Common wedding gifts include money or household appliances, and guests enjoy dancing, food, wine, and merriment at the reception following the wedding ceremony. Slovenians enjoy life, and this attitude is reflected through jovial and fun attitudes towards the wedding day.
Often, the wedding will occur twice -- the first as a civil ceremony, as required by Slovene law, and the second as a religious ceremony, with family and friends attending.
Good to know:
Ljubljana Castle, in the capital, offers halls and banquet rooms, and is a popular place for weddings.
