Marriage

Marriage (or Registered Partnership) in Hungary

If a non-Hungarian citizen wishes to get married or enter into a registered partnership in Hungary, a legal administrative process must be followed to verify and approve the foreign documents required for the marriage or partnership. The process ensures that the marriage complies with both Hungarian law and the personal law (i.e., national law) of the foreign citizen.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Declaration of Intent:
• The couple must first appear in person at the civil registrar’s office (anyakönyvvezető) of the locality where they intend to marry or enter into a partnership.
• The registrar will formally record the couple’s intent and begin the administrative process.
2. Submission of Documents:
   The non-Hungarian party must provide:
• A valid identification document (e.g., passport).
• Birth certificate.
• Proof of residence and personal ID number if applicable (e.g., Hungarian address card).
• A document certifying current marital status (i.e., a certificate of no impediment).
• Proof of citizenship.
3. Special Declaration Required:
   The non-Hungarian citizen must submit a statement confirming that there is no legal obstacle to the marriage or registered partnership under their personal law (the laws of their country of citizenship).
4. Document Authentication Requirements:
• Foreign documents not issued in Hungarian must be submitted with a certified Hungarian translation, usually prepared by the OFFI (National Translation and Certification Office).
• Exceptions:
• Official multilingual forms issued by EU member states may be accepted without translation.
• Diplomatic/legalization rules vary:
• Countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention need only an Apostille.
• Other countries must go through diplomatic legalization, which includes intermediate certification by the foreign ministry of the issuing country and final authentication by a Hungarian consul.
5. Processing by the Registrar and Registry Authority:
• The registrar submits the documents to the relevant metropolitan or county government office within 5 days.
• That office (anyakönyvi szerv) has 30 days to assess and issue a statement of acceptability of the foreign documents.
6. Scheduling the Ceremony:
• The marriage or registered partnership date can only be scheduled after the registrar has received the official approval of the foreign documents.

Fees:

• The process is exempt from administrative fees (illetékmentes).
• However, costs may be incurred for translations, Apostilles, or diplomatic authentications depending on the issuing country.

Appeal Process:

• There is no direct administrative appeal if the documents are rejected.
• Instead, one may initiate a judicial review (közigazgatási per) within 30 days at the competent county court (Törvényszék).
• Court fee: 30,000 HUF.

Important Notes:

• The approval of foreign documents is a precondition for any marriage or registered partnership involving a non-Hungarian citizen.
• Begin the process well in advance due to the possible need for translations, legalizations, or consular procedures.
• If uncertain about specific documents or requirements from your country of origin, consult the Hungarian embassy or consulate or the civil registrar’s office where the marriage will take place.