Marriage (overview)

If the marriage was concluded according to the regulations and procedures of the relevant country the marriage will also be recognized by Austria. For details please contact the local authorities (marriage celebrant, registry of births deaths and marriages).

Austrian nationals usually require a certificate of no impediment to marriage ("Ehefähigkeitszeugnis") to marry outside of Austria. Please consult with the local authorities/marriage celebrant to verify which documents will be required.

The Austrian "Ehefähigkeitszeugnis" has to be applied for at the relevant Austrian registry of births, deaths and marriages (Standesamt) and is valid for six months.

The Austrian Standesamt at the place of residency (or last place of residency) of one or both partners has to issue the certificate of no impediment to marriage. If neither the bride nor the groom has ever lived in Austria this certificate has to be applied for at the registry office in Vienna ("Standesamt Wien-Innere Stadt").

It is also recommended to contact the relevant Austrian registry of births, deaths and marriages to clarify which last name(s) the bride and groom (and also children of this marriage) will use after matrimony. According to Austrian law the bride (and children from this marriage) will automatically adopt the last name of the husband (father), unless otherwise determined by declaration prior to the marriage.

The relevant declaration to determine the last name(s) has to be signed by both partners in front of the relevant Austrian registry office or the Austrian Embassy or Consulate in the country of residency and then submitted to the relevant Standesamt in Austria.

Possible last names:

• Both partners maintain their own last name after marriage
• One (or both) partners carry a combination of both last names after marriage. The name held before marriage can follow or precede the partner's last name and has to be separated by a hyphen ("-").
• One of the partners' last names is chosen as joint last name

According to Austrian law children usually are not entitled to carry both last names of their parents (separated by hyphen). However, if the child permanently resides outside of Austria and the combination of both last names is registered as last name in the country of residency you can apply to have this name recognized by Austria. Please be aware that usually high fees are charged for a name change in such cases ("Wunschname").

An Austrian national does not have to register his marriage (abroad) with the Austrian authorities. It is, however, recommended to inform the Austrian Embassy of your change of marital status and to provide a copy of the marriage certificate. For foreign marriage certificates to be recognized the document usually has to be authenticated by the relevant authorities of the issuing country. In Australia and New Zealand this authentication has to be by means of an "apostille" stamp. For details see "authentication".

If you plan to marry in Austria see "Marriage in Austria".

Last updated: 24.11.2011