COVID-19: Venues for the celebration of marriages and civil partnerships

The Government in council of 4 May 2020 approved a derogation to article 75 of the Civil Code allowing the civil registrar to celebrate marriages in a municipal building other than the town hall. Civil partnership declarations can take place at the same locations.

As a result of the distancing measures imposed by the government during the COVID-19 crisis state, the organisation of marriage ceremonies and civil partnerships declarations (PACS) in the town hall, with a maximum number of 20 people, poses a problem for a number of municipalities, given the insufficient size of the rooms available.

That is why the Minister of Justice, Sam Tanson, and the Minister for Home Affairs, Taina Bofferding, have proposed to allow marriages and PACS not only at the town hall but also, temporarily, in other municipal buildings. The buildings in question are to be determined by the board of the mayor and aldermen. This decision requires the approval of the Minister for Home Affairs.

In this context, it is reminded that the coalition agreement foresees a modernisation of the legislation relating to civil ceremonies. This emergency measure could serve as an opportunity to learn from the experience of the municipalities with a view to this modernisation.

Press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Justice