Who can marry in Slovenia and what conditions must I meet?
You can marry if you are 18, give your free consent and are not already married; since 31 January 2023 marriage is a life union of two persons, so same-sex couples can marry too. Marriage is governed by the Family Code (Družinski zakonik), which replaced the old marriage act. It is concluded before the head of the administrative unit or an authorised person and in the presence of a registrar, publicly and solemnly, and two witnesses are also required. Before the ceremony you must announce the marriage at the administrative unit, where they check the conditions on age and any existing marriage. The persistent myth that same-sex partners here can only "register" a partnership no longer holds – after the Constitutional Court decision of 16 June 2022 and the Family Code amendment, marriage is open to all couples on equal terms. A special case is a minor: someone older than 15 may marry only with the permission of the social work centre, which first hears the minor, the intended spouse and the parents.
📋 The rules
- To marry, both must be of full age (18) and give free consent; neither may already be in a valid marriage.
- Since 31 January 2023 marriage under the Family Code is a life union of two persons, so same-sex couples may marry.
- The marriage is concluded before the head of the administrative unit or an authorised person and before a registrar, publicly and solemnly, with two witnesses.
- You must announce the marriage at the administrative unit in advance; the registrar checks the conditions and arranges the place and time.
- A minor older than 15 may marry only with the permission of the social work centre; on marrying, they gain full legal capacity.
🔓 Exceptions
- Relatives in the direct line and a brother and sister face an impediment; such a marriage is not allowed and is invalid.
- A person who is not capable of judgement or does not understand the meaning of marriage and its duties cannot marry.
- An existing registered partnership concluded under the former law can be converted into a marriage in a simplified procedure.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Marrying is not itself punished, but a wrongly concluded marriage can be annulled, which brings uncertainty over property and inheritance. If someone marries while already in a valid marriage, it is a double marriage (bigamy) – the later marriage is invalid and the act is also a criminal offence under the Criminal Code. A marriage entered without free will, under duress or through a mistake about the person can be challenged, as can a marriage with someone unable to judge. Invalidity or annulment means the presumed joint legal effects fall away, affecting joint property, the surname and the right to inherit from the partner. If a minor marries without the social work centre's permission, an impediment exists and the marriage is not validly concluded. Costs for a ceremony outside official premises or at special times are extra, while the spouses' mutual duties and liability arise the moment the marriage is valid, not only once they share a household.
📎 Official sources
- PISRS · legislation register (Family Code, conclusion of marriage) →
- e-uprava · concluding a marriage in Slovenia →
- Constitutional Court of RS · decision on marriage (June 2022) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can same-sex partners marry?
Yes. Since the Family Code amendment took effect on 31 January 2023, marriage is defined as a life union of two persons regardless of sex. Same-sex and different-sex couples marry on equal terms and are also equal in the conditions for adopting a child.
How old must I be to marry?
As a rule you can marry once you turn 18 and have legal capacity. A minor older than 15 may marry only with the permission of the social work centre, which first hears the minor, the intended spouse and the parents.
Where and how does a marriage take place?
You first announce the marriage at the administrative unit, which checks the conditions and arranges the place and time. It is then concluded publicly and solemnly before the head of the administrative unit or an authorised person, with a registrar and two witnesses present.
Do I need witnesses to marry?
Yes, two adult witnesses are required for a valid marriage. Besides the witnesses, both future spouses must be present in person along with the registrar, because marrying through a proxy in place of a spouse is not possible.
What happens if I am already married?
A new marriage concluded while an existing one lasts is invalid, because the valid earlier marriage is an impediment to a new one. A double marriage is also a criminal offence under the Criminal Code, so the earlier marriage must first be dissolved or annulled.
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