Recognition (civil status events)

Civil status events, such as marriages, registered partnerships, divorces, adoptions, name changes and paternity acknowledgements involving Liechtenstein citizens that have been carried out abroad must be recognized by the Liechtenstein Civil Registry Office so that they can be entered in the Liechtenstein Civil Registry Office registers. For recognition, an original or a certified copy must be sent to the Liechtenstein Civil Registry Office (e.g. Marriage certificate or marriage certificate (certified with apostille), complete original birth certificate of the foreign partner (certified with apostille), copy of the valid passport or ID card of the foreign partner, current confirmation of residence in the original, not older than 6 months (in case of residence abroad), divorce decree with date of legal effect, adoption decree with date of legal effect, resolution of a change of name).

Please note, Documents of third-country nationals must be submitted via Swiss representation.

The cost for the recognition of a foreign civil status event is CHF 150.00 and can be paid directly at the counter at the Vaduz Civil Registry Office.

We recommend that couples (if the groom or bride is a Liechtenstein citizen) who wish to marry or register their partnership abroad contact the Liechtenstein Civil Registry Office in advance to inquire about subsequent recognition of marriage or registering the partnership to inquire.

Documents must be submitted in person. (In the case of a civil status event in a third country, the documents for the recognition of a foreign civil status event must be sent to the Civil Registry Office in Vaduz via the CH representation abroad.)

If a third person submits the documents to the Civil Registry Office in Vaduz, this person must submit a written power of attorney to the Civil Registry Office in Vaduz.

The form for the recognition of a foreign marriage or registration of partnership can be found in the online desk and must be completed in full and enclosed with the documents. (The processing time for recognitions is approximately 5-10 working days).