Required documents
Valid identity document
- identity card for EU nationals
- passport for non-EU nationals
Birth certificate
Couples who wish to marry must produce a full copy of their birth certificates (complete version with filiation) issued within the last six months. Persons born in Luxembourg City who intend to also get married in Luxembourg City are not required to produce a birth certificate.
For foreign documents issued by countries not bound to Luxembourg by an international convention (ICCS Convention No. 16), a legalised signature or an Apostille as per the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 is mandatory.
Proof of residence
A civil marriage can be performed in Luxembourg City only if one of the future spouses is legally resident here. The home address of residents of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will be checked by the civil registrar against their valid residence permits and the National Register of Physical Persons at the time of submitting their marriage application. If there are any inconsistencies, a certificate of residence will have to be provided.
For persons residing outside the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a certificate of residence issued within the last three months by the authorities of their place of residence abroad must be provided.
Other documents
If additional documents are required (such as the death certificate of the previous spouse, divorce documents, an authorisation issued by the judge in guardianship matters for minors, a certificate of legal capacity to marry (Ehefähigkeitszeugnis) prescribed by the national authorities of the future spouses' countries of origin), the civil registrar will provide the future spouses with all the necessary information.
Important: all documents issued by a foreign country must also bear an Apostille or a legalised signature.
Documents to submit
To submit their documents, the two future spouses must appear together before the civil registrar with their valid identity cards (EU) or valid passports (non-EU). The required documents may be submitted by appointment only.
The required documents must be submitted at the civil registry office by no later than one month before the date of the marriage. Civil status documents not issued in French, English or German must be translated into one of these three languages by a sworn translator. Banns of marriage must be published in the future spouses' municipalities of residence for 10 consecutive days before the civil marriage ceremony takes place.
The civil marriage ceremony must take place within 12 months of the date of publication.
On the day the documents are submitted, a registration fee must be paid (between €20 and €30 depending on the complexity of the file).
Civil marriage ceremony: time and place
The date for the civil marriage ceremony is set by the civil registrar together with the future spouses when they submit the documents necessary for publishing the banns of marriage (the marriage application must be complete). It is therefore important that future spouses do not set the date or time of their religious wedding ceremony before they have completed the relevant municipal procedures.
In Luxembourg City, civil marriage ceremonies are performed on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Ceremonies cannot be scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
As certain procedures must be carried out before a marriage ceremony can take place, future spouses are asked to check with the civil registrar at least two months before the chosen date. As foreign nationals are married based on their personal status, they are asked to check with the civil registrar at least three months before the chosen date.
Contact details
Contact details
Bierger-Center
L-2090 Luxembourg
- etatcivil@vdl.lu
- Tel. : 4796-3020
FAQs
Do both parties have to be present to submit the documents?
Yes
Does an appointment need to be scheduled?
Yes, by contacting the civil registrar.
What is the minimum waiting time between submitting the necessary documents and getting married?
As the banns of marriage must be published at least 10 days before the marriage ceremony, allow for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Please note that the waiting time also depends on the availability of the wedding hall.
(Don't forget: depending on your situation, banns of marriage may also need to be published in other municipalities)
A marriage application remains valid for up to one year from the last day the banns are published.
Where is the wedding hall?
Luxembourg City Hall, use the main entrance on Place Guillaume II.
How long will we need to gather the required documents?
This depends on how long the respective authorities will need to provide you with the documents.
When will the banns of marriage be published?
On the day that the documents are submitted, the banns of marriage go on display on the official notice board used for this purpose (Reider) – they are not published in any newspapers.
When are civil marriage ceremonies performed?
On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, in the mornings around 11:00, and in the afternoons until 16:00.
Will we need to bring witnesses?
No, witness signatures are not required by Luxembourg law.
How long does the ceremony take?
About 15 minutes.
Should we arrive a bit early?
Yes, it is better to account for last-minute contingencies, such as finding a parking spot.
Do we need to bring our marriage contract? (notary)
No, this contract will be filed with the Civil Register by the notary. It will not be noted in the civil marriage certificate.
Do we have to exchange rings?
Exchanging rings is optional.
Does the City provide a photographer?
No.
Who will officiate at our marriage ceremony?
The mayor or their representative.
