A civil wedding in Chile costs nothing if the ceremony takes place at a Civil Registry office during working hours: you only pay for the marriage booklet, which costs 1,830 pesos, according to the official [ChileAtiende](https://www.chileatiende.gob.cl/fichas/3373-reservar-hora-para-matrimonio-civil-o-inscripcion-del-matrimonio-religioso) page. If the couple wants the registrar to marry them elsewhere, the fee rises to 21,680 pesos during working hours and 32,520 pesos outside them.
This guide sums up how much a civil wedding costs in Chile in 2026, which documents and witnesses you need, the deadlines and how many couples marry each year.
How much does a civil wedding cost in Chile in 2026
| Option | Cost (Chilean pesos) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| At the Civil Registry office, during working hours | Free | You only pay for the marriage booklet |
| Marriage booklet | 1,830 | Document given to the couple |
| Outside the office, during working hours | 21,680 | The registrar travels to the venue |
| Outside the office and outside working hours | 32,520 | Weekends or evenings, at the venue |
The fees are those listed by ChileAtiende. According to BioBioChile, when the ceremony is held outside the office, the couple must also arrange the registrar's round-trip transport from the office to the venue. The Civil Registry does not charge for that, but it adds to the budget.
How much does a civil wedding cost outside the office
The only differences between the options are the fee and transport. The ceremony, its legal effects and the booklet are the same. Three things are worth considering when choosing:
- Availability: slots outside the office depend on each office's and registrar's schedule; they fill up sooner in high season.
- Transport: if the venue is far from the office, the registrar's transport can cost more than the fee.
- Timing: the higher fee (32,520 pesos) applies to ceremonies outside working hours, such as a Saturday afternoon.
Requirements for a civil wedding
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Both partners must be over 18 |
| Marital status | Not married and without a current Civil Union Agreement with someone else |
| Documents | Valid identity card in good condition for both partners; foreigners may use their national ID or passport |
| Witnesses | Two people over 18 with a valid Chilean identity card |
| Children under 18 from another relationship | If under parental authority, guardianship or curatorship, a curator must be requested from the Family Court |
People under 18, those without a valid Chilean identity card, people declared legally incapacitated, those sentenced to serious prison terms and those who do not understand Spanish or cannot express themselves clearly cannot act as witnesses, according to ChileAtiende.
Deadlines: notice, witness statement and ceremony
- Booking: online on the Civil Registry website with ClaveÚnica, or at an office.
- Notice of intent: the couple states their intention to marry before a registrar.
- Witness statement: they present at least two witnesses who declare there are no impediments.
- Ceremony: it must take place within 90 days of the witness statement. After that, the steps must be repeated.
- Religious marriage: if the couple marries before a recognized religious body, it must be registered with the Civil Registry within 15 calendar days; otherwise it has no civil effect.
Marriage or Civil Union Agreement: what each costs
The Civil Union Agreement (AUC) has very similar fees, according to a version of the ChileAtiende page cited by Meganoticias:
| Option | Civil marriage | Civil Union Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| At the office during opening hours | Free + 1,830 booklet | 1,680 |
| Outside the office, during working hours | 21,680 | 21,680 |
| Outside the office and outside working hours | 32,520 | 32,520 |
Both give a marital status and inheritance rights, but they differ on parentage and property regime. The AUC fees come from a 2024 version of the page, so they should be confirmed when booking.
How many couples marry in Chile
Marriage had been declining while civil unions grew. According to Radio Universidad de Chile, citing INE figures, civil unions accounted for 23.52% of all unions in 2025.
| Period | Marriages | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 68,482 | Radio Universidad de Chile |
| 2023 | 64,285 | Radio Universidad de Chile |
| 2024 | 61,119 | Radio Universidad de Chile |
| First half of 2025 | 30,584 | Radio Universidad de Chile |
| January-March 2025 | 18,839 | Emol |
| January-March 2026 | 21,275 | Emol |
The first quarter of 2026 showed an increase over the same period of 2025, according to Emol; it is too early to say whether the trend is changing. When choosing a date, check the 2027 public holidays in Chile, because offices are closed on those days.
Other expenses on top of the civil wedding cost
The legal procedure is cheap; everything else is usually what costs money. On top of the civil wedding cost, couples may add rings, clothes, a celebration and photography. None of those expenses is required for the marriage to be valid. Before the ceremony, the couple must also choose a property regime, which defines how assets are managed and divided:
| Regime | How it works | When it is chosen |
|---|---|---|
| Marital partnership (sociedad conyugal) | Assets acquired during the marriage form common property managed by the husband | Applies if the couple says nothing |
| Full separation of property | Each spouse owns and manages their own assets | Agreed at or before the ceremony, through a prenuptial agreement |
| Participation in profits | Each manages their own assets, but gains are shared when the regime ends | Agreed at or before the ceremony |
The regime can be changed after the wedding, but that requires extra paperwork. It is worth discussing before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil wedding cost in Chile?
It is free at a Civil Registry office during working hours; you only pay for the booklet (1,830 pesos). Outside the office it costs 21,680 pesos during working hours and 32,520 outside them.
How many witnesses are needed?
Two, over 18 and with a valid Chilean identity card.
How do you book a wedding date?
On the Civil Registry website with ClaveÚnica, or at any office.
How long can pass between the witness statement and the wedding?
The ceremony must take place within 90 days; otherwise the steps must be repeated.
Can foreigners marry in Chile?
Yes, with their national ID or passport. Witnesses, however, must hold a valid Chilean identity card.
