Getting Married in Slovenia as a Foreigner: Complete Legal Guide
Getting married in Slovenia is an exciting and meaningful step — and yes, foreigners of any nationality can do it legally. Whether you’re already living here or planning a destination wedding, understanding the legal requirements and administrative process is key to a smooth experience.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about Slovenia marriage, including essential documents, certified translations, apostilles, timelines, and common challenges — plus practical tips to avoid delays and stress.
Who Can Get Married in Slovenia?
Foreigners from any country can legally marry in Slovenia, either with another foreigner or a Slovenian citizen, as long as both partners meet certain legal requirements.
Same-sex couples can also get legally married in Slovenia, with the same rights and recognition as opposite-sex couples.
Where Can Civil Ceremonies Be Held?
The local Administrative Unit (Upravna enota) handles civil marriages.
You can:
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Marry at the administrative unit itself
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Choose an approved external location
Even if your ceremony takes place elsewhere, the legal registration always goes through the administrative unit.
What Documents Do You Need to Get Married in Slovenia?
To get legally married in Slovenia, foreign nationals must obtain certain official documents from their home country and submit them to the appropriate registry office (Upravna enota).
While the exact list can vary depending on personal circumstances, foreign nationals are typically required to provide:
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Proof of citizenship (i.e. a valid passport or ID card)
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Extract from the Register of Births
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Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (or equivalent), which shows that you are free to marry
Additional documents, such as documentary proof of dissolution of previous marriages or proof of name change, may also be required where applicable.
Translation of Documents
For the registry to accept your documents, you must have them translated into Slovene by a court-certified translator.
Countries that have a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Slovenia under the Paris or Vienna Conventions may issue multilingual documents. Multilingual excerpts from official registers issued under these conventions do not require translation.
Legalization of Documents
In addition to translations, foreign nationals often need to certify or legalize their documents, depending on the country of origin.
- Countries signatories of the Hague Apostille Convention (e.g. United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, USA etc.)
They must certify documents with an Apostille seal in their home country and then provide a certified Slovene translation. - Countries outside the Hague Convention
They must certify documents in their home country and then legalize them in Slovenia, either at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or through a Slovenian embassy or consulate. They also must provide certified translations into Slovene.
Timing is Everything!
Documents must not be older than six months (180 days) on the day of your official wedding application at the Registry.
Do You Need an Interpreter?
Civil ceremonies in Slovenia are conducted entirely in Slovene. This includes communication with the Administrative Unit during the preparatory phase, the official wedding application and the ceremony itself.
If both partners do not speak Slovene, they must arrange someone to communicate with the administrative unit on their behalf, and an administrative unit–approved interpreter must attend the official wedding application with them.
If one or both partners do not speak Slovene, a court-certified interpreter must be present at the wedding ceremony to ensure both partners understand the legal nature of the marriage, their rights and obligations under Slovenian law, and the official declarations made during the ceremony.
Arranging an interpreter in advance is essential, as the registry office will not proceed if a language barrier exists. Booking the interpreter is the couple’s responsibility.
Marriage Certificate
After the wedding, Slovenian authorities issue an official marriage certificate. You can request a multilingual version and multiple copies at the official wedding application.
While a Slovenian marriage certificate is legally valid, the process for having your marriage recognized in your home country varies, so check with the relevant authority there.