Welcome page. Partnership and Children. Many different forms of living together are accepted in Switzerland. In order to get married one must be at least 18 years old.
Both spouses have equal rights. The forms in which people live together have changed greatly throughout the past centuries in Switzerland. Many unmarried couples live together cohabitation, Konkubinat and have children together. Same-sex partnerships are accepted and legally recognised. In Switzerland one must be 18 years old in order to get married. Persons wishing to get married must contact the community of residence's registry office Regionales Zivilstandsamt.
The registry office will initiate the marriage preparation procedure. This involves examinig whether the requirements for marriage are met. After the procedure has been completed the wedding must take place within three months. The responsible registry office will offer more detailed information on the procedure and the necessary documents. If one person still lives abroad it is possible to file a request for entry so that he or she can take part in the marriage preparation procedure.
Same-sex couples can register their partnership. Registered partnership includes rights and duties similar to those in marriage. Spouses have equal rights and duties by law. Both spouses must marry by choice. If authorities discover that a person has been forced into marriage Zwangsheirat the marriage may be declared invalid and the person who exercised coercion may be prosecuted. Persons who feel forced into marriage should ask for help.
Canton Aargau has a special phone number for such cases 47 For questions about family planning, pregnancy and sexuality there are special advisory centres in Aarau and Brugg. The centres offer anonymous and free information on topics such as birth control, sexual difficulties, unwanted pregnancy , or sexually transmitted diseases. They also consult future parents and persons with children.
