Certificate of marriage: when and how can you get it?

What is a marriage certificate and why is it important?

A marriage certificate is an official document that confirms the marriage. It is issued by the registry office in the place where the wedding took place and contains key details about the marriage, such as the names and surnames and birth numbers of the couple, the date and place of the wedding, the personal status of both the couple before the marriage and information about the agreed surname of the couple and their children. The marriage certificate also contains the signature of the registrar, the designation of the registry office and its official stamp, which gives it full legal validity.

This document has not only legal but also practical significance. It serves as proof of the marriage when dealing with a change of surname on documents, when applying for a joint residence, when claiming various benefits or when claiming inheritance rights. The legal significance of the marriage certificate is also crucial in an international context, for example if the couple moves to another country or if they want to have their marriage officially recognised abroad.

Without a marriage certificate, it is not possible to legally prove the existence of the marriage, which can cause complications when dealing with the authorities or the courts. It is therefore important not only to keep the document carefully, but also to know what to do if you lose it or need to obtain a duplicate.

How and where to get a marriage certificate?

The marriage certificate is issued by the registry office in the place where the marriage took place. This process is relatively simple for newlyweds – after the wedding, the registry office will issue it automatically. The time limit for issuing it is 30 days by law, but usually the marriage certificate is ready sooner. You must have your ID with you when you collect it in person. If the newlyweds are unable to collect the document in person, it can be sent by registered mail to a specified address upon request.

If the marriage was celebrated outside the Czech Republic, it is necessary to ensure that the event is registered in the Czech registry office. For this purpose, a foreign marriage certificate must be presented, apostilled or superlegalized and officially translated into Czech. It may take several months to register the marriage in the special registry office in Brno, which administers these cases. It is therefore necessary to allow adequate time.

Careful preservation of the marriage certificate is crucial, as retrieving it if lost can be lengthy, especially for international marriages.

What to do and who to contact?

Losing a marriage certificate can be annoying, but it is not unsolvable. In the event of loss, it is possible to apply for a duplicate from the registry office that issued the original document. This means that you need to know where your marriage took place, as no other office can issue this document. A duplicate marriage certificate is exactly the same as the original and fully replaces the lost document.

In order to obtain a duplicate, you must present a valid ID and pay an administrative fee of the appropriate amount. If you are unable to make the request in person, you can do so by means of a power of attorney, which must be officially certified. If you live abroad, you can contact the relevant Czech embassy, which will forward the application to the registry office in the Czech Republic. Keep in mind that the whole process can take several weeks, especially if international communication is involved.

It is also important to know who is entitled to have a duplicate issued. Only the persons named on the marriage certificate, their close relatives or any other person who can prove a legal interest can obtain this document. It is advisable to keep the marriage certificate carefully to avoid unnecessary complications.

Marriage certificate abroad: What to watch out for?

If you plan to use your marriage certificate abroad, for example to confirm your marriage when changing your surname, obtaining a visa or having your marriage recognised in another country, it is important to ensure that it is correctly legalised. Within the European Union, you can use the multilingual standard form issued by the Czech registry office under EU Regulation 2016/1191. This form facilitates the submission of civil registry documents in other EU member states and eliminates the need for translation.

However, if you need to use a marriage certificate outside the EU, it must be endorsed with an apostille clause or superlegalization. The apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, which confirms the authenticity of the document and the signature of the registrar. Some countries also require an official translation into their language, which must be certified by a certified translator.

On the other hand, if the wedding took place abroad, the foreign marriage certificate must first be recognised by the Czech authorities by means of an entry in a special registry office in Brno. This process can take several months, so it is advisable to start as soon as possible.

What is the purpose of a marriage certificate in everyday life?

A marriage certificate is a document that you will need on many occasions in your life, whether in personal, legal or official matters. One of the most common situations where you will use it is tochange documents after you get married, such as your ID card, passport or driving licence if you have changed your surname. A marriage certificate also serves as proof of a change in marital status, which may be necessary when dealing with banks, insurance companies or authorities.

Another common situation is the need for a marriage certificate when applying for benefits or support, such as parental allowance or housing benefit. In inheritance proceedings, a marriage certificate is necessary to prove the marital relationship and to claim inheritance. Similarly, it is useful when arranging a joint mortgage, where banks require documents confirming the relationship of the applicants.

The marriage certificate is also used in an international context, for example when moving abroad, applying for a visa or having a marriage recognised in another country. In such cases, it may need to be officially translated and legalized.

Summary

A marriage certificate is a vital document that serves as official proof of a marriage. It is issued by the registry office where the wedding took place and contains key information such as the names of the couple, the date and place of the marriage, the personal status of the couple before the marriage and information about the agreed surname of the couple and their children. Its importance lies not only in the legal confirmation of the marriage, but also in its practical use in official and legal matters such as changing documents, dealing with benefits or inheritance proceedings. The marriage certificate also plays an important role in an international context, where it often needs to be legalised or translated. In the event of loss, a duplicate can be obtained from the relevant registry office, which requires a valid identity card and, if necessary, a certified power of attorney. Keeping this document is crucial to avoid complications when dealing with the authorities or the courts.