In my quest to find answer in how to get married in Austria, I have researched the Austrian embassy for answer. Most of the time Google will give me answers but those answers came from other European embassy. I read forums, local and international alike, about the steps in acquiring a visa to Austria for our marriage. The usual answer I got is all about schengen visa which is basically a tourist visa…
Sometimes I stumble some questions of other Filipinas asking about how to get married to their boyfriend’s home country like Switzerland. Although this site is focused on Austrian visa, I decided to add some info about getting married to other European Union member states. I found this info from a Swiss Embassy:
To prepare for civil marriage in Switzerland, the Filipino fiancé/e has to present the following original documents:
1.) Birth Certificate* issued by the National Statistics Office
* If birth has been registered late (more than 30 days after the date of birth):
- Birth Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar’s Office
- Original Certificate of Baptism
- Original Grade Card, Transcript of Record or other school records
2.a) If previously married:
· Annotated Marriage Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office
· Certified true copy of Court Decision of the annulment of marriage
· Certified true copy of Certificate of Finality of the annulment of marriage
Attention : Divorce for Filipino Nationals do not exist, it is only possible to annul the marriage.
or
2.b) If widowed:
· Marriage Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office
· Death Certificate of spouse issued by the National Statistics Office
3.) Original Passport of the Filipino fiancé/e (including previous passports if any)
4.) Community Tax Certificate or “Cedula” (issued recently)
5.) Notarized Parental Consent to contract marriage (for 18 to 21 years old only)
The Embassy may ask for additional documents, if deemed necessary.
If residing in Switzerland, the Swiss or foreign fiancé/e has to submit the following to this Embassy (by mail, fax or e-mail) before the Filipino partner submits his/her documents:
- Copy of Certificate of civil status / Kopie Personenstandsausweis /copie Certificat individuel d’état civil
- Copy of Certificate of residence / Kopie Wohnsitzbestätigung / copie Certificat de domicile**
- Copy of passport / Passkopie / copie du passeport
** Not applicable for Swiss nationals who are registered at this Embassy
Marriage preparation (personally at the Swiss Embassy in Manila)
Together with the above-mentioned documents, either both the bride and the groom or one of them must fill out and sign personally at this Embassy the “Application for Marriage Preparation” (Form 0-34-A) and the “Declaration concerning the Marriage Conditions” (Form 0.35). The Swiss part must indicate the correct address, the date and place of birth, marital status and commune of origin. It is mandatory to indicate the place where the civil ceremony will take place in Switzerland. The fiancés will get the “fact sheet on married names” and “fact sheet on marriage in Switzerland: rights and obligations” which should be studied carefully.
The Embassy shall be verifying the Philippine documents with the local competent authority before legalizing and transmitting them together with the above-mentioned forms filled out and signed by both or one of the partners to the Federal Office of Civil Status in Bern in order to forward them to the place where the marriage shall take place.
The Swiss partner has to organize personally his/her needed documents for getting married in Switzerland. If the partners file the demands of marriage preparation separately, a copy of the form 0.34-A “Application for Marriage Preparation” filled out in Switzerland has to be provided to this
Embassy.
Fees: An advance payment of PHP 20’000.00 – 22’000.00 (covering time-based fee for document processing, preparation of marriage fee, transport fee, telephone fees, postal fees, document verification fees) is required upon submission of the documents.
It is payable in Philippine Peso and on “cash” basis only. Any remaining balance will be returned to the applicant. The Embassy reserves the right to ask for an additional advance payment if needed for the verification of the documents.
Please note that incomplete documents will not be accepted.
Taking up residence in Switzerland before marriage (for marriage purposes)
If the Filipino fiancé/e plans to take up residency in Switzerland please submit the following documents together with the documents for marriage for the application of a residence visa.
- Three (3) “Visa D” application forms, which must be completely and properly filled-out and signed by the applicant (write in block letters and use black or blue ink only). The form may be obtained for free from the Embassy or downloaded from the following link:
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/visumantragsformular.html - Four (4) identical, clear and colored passport-size photos (with white background; must be taken
within the last six months. Please do not staple the photos on the form). - Two (2) photocopies of valid passport (inside front cover containing holder’s information and photo, inside back cover containing « Important Reminders », signature and other passport information)
- Police Clearance (must be recent with correct information corresponding to the documents presented and translated to any Swiss national language) *Please provide 1 photocopy of the Police Clearance and translation.
- VISA PROCESSING FEE (beside the advance payment for the marriage preparation)
For Adults: PHP 3’700.00
For Children (from 6 to below 12 years old): PHP 2’200.00
For Children below 6 years old: Free of charge - postage fee PHP 500.00 (price depends on the exchange rate).
Personal appearance is required except for the bride or bridegroom who is residing in Switzerland. There is no need to make an appointment. For the submission of papers please refer to the Embassy’s visiting hours.
The whole procedure for marriage and acquiring a visa for the preparatory procedure for marriage is approximately 4-6 months provided that all documents are found in order.
Contact Information of the Marriage Section
Mailing Address: Embassy of Switzerland
24th Floor, Equitable Bank Tower
8751 Paseo de Roxas 1226 Makati City
E-mail: man.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Visiting Hours: Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Marriage Section Hotline: 0063 2 757 9000, then press 7
Marriage Section Fax: 0063 2 757 3717
I hope this post will help other Filipina who are seeking to enter Switzerland to get married to their respective Swiss fiance. For more information I think it is better to call the hotline above.
