Converting a partnership into a marriage

Opening hours: 8h30 to 11h45 and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Partners are advised not to set a date to celebrate the conversion of their partnership into a marriage by celebration before receiving confirmation of the chosen date from the civil registry office. The registry office declines, in advance, all liability for costs resulting from the cancellation or postponement of the celebration.

How to convert your partnership into a marriage

Couples who were in a registered civil partnership before 1 July 2022 can convert their partnership into a marriage at any time by means of a joint declaration before a civil registrar. This conversion can be performed at the registry office of their choice by means of a declaration before a registrar or, on request, the declaration can be delivered as part of a ceremony in the marriage celebration venue in the presence of two witnesses of sound mind who are 18 years of age or older. The conversion declaration may also be filed with a Swiss diplomatic representation abroad. The conversion has no effect on the name. It does not permit the issuance of a marriage certificate, but acts merely as a proof of conversion.

Couples who were in a registered civil partnership before 1 July 2022 can also decide to initiate a preparatory marriage procedure instead of converting their partnership into a marriage. This procedure makes it possible to obtain a marriage certificate and possibly to choose a common name.

When can a partnership be converted into a marriage?

The conversion cannot take place on Sundays or public holidays.

If the conversion takes place in the City of Geneva during a ceremony, the celebration can be held Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m., as well as on the following Saturday mornings from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.:

2024

• 13 January 
• 10 February       
• 9 March  
• 20 April     
• 4 May           
• 8 June    
• 15 June           
• 6 July               
• 24 August               
• 14 September           
• 12 October              
• 9 November           
• 7 December

What is the fee?

• CHF 75 for a declaration before a registrar without celebration;
• CHF 150 for the declaration in the form of a ceremony during opening hours or CHF 650 for a celebration in one of the two specific celebration venues;
• CHF 30 for proof of conversion of a partnership into a marriage;
• CHF 50 for the marriage certificate + a case;

Where can the ceremony be held for the conversion of a partnership?

The ceremony is celebrated in the banquet hall in the district of the civil registry office chosen. In the City of Geneva, this is located in the former town hall of the municipality of les Eaux-Vives, which now houses the civil registry office. An Internet connection (WiFi or cable) is, in principle, available in the banquet hall.

The partners can also apply to hold the celebration of the conversion to a marriage in one of the two specific celebration venues made available by the City of Geneva.

What to do?

The civil registrar receives the declaration of will of the two partners to convert their partnership into a marriage, either by simple declaration before a registrar or during a ceremony in the presence of two witnesses of sound mind who are 18 years of age or older.

The conversion of a partnership into a marriage in the form of a ceremony is public.

At the end of the ceremony, and on request, the couple receives proof of conversion of the partnership into a marriage

Add the new “request conversion of a partnership into a marriage” document