Many couples dream of eloping to Prague with nobody else around. For a symbolic ceremony that is possible. For a legal wedding it is not: Czech law requires two witnesses, and a few officials must be in the room too. This page explains the minimum, who can be a witness, and how to keep the day as private as possible.
The short answer
- Czech law requires exactly two witnesses at every civil wedding.
- Witnesses can be foreigners. They need a valid ID, and their details go into the marriage register.
- With the officiant, the registrar and usually an interpreter, the smallest legal wedding has six or seven people in the room.
- If you want truly just the two of you, marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in Prague.
Who must be present at a legal wedding
| Person | Why |
|---|---|
| The two of you | Both of you make the declaration in person (see proxy weddings below for the one exception) |
| Two witnesses | Civil Code, section 656: the ceremony takes place “in the presence of two witnesses” |
| The officiant | A mayor, deputy or authorised council member conducts the ceremony |
| The registrar (matrikář) | Records the marriage and must be present |
| An interpreter | Required if either of you does not understand Czech, the language of the declaration |
The law also describes the ceremony as public and solemn. You do not have to invite anyone beyond the people above.
Who can be your witness?
- Nationality: anyone. The Registry Act explicitly provides for foreign witnesses: if a witness has no Czech birth number, their date and place of birth are recorded instead.
- ID: each witness proves their identity with a valid ID card or passport. The registry office usually wants their names, dates and places of birth, and copies of their IDs before the wedding.
- Signature: both witnesses sign the marriage record after the ceremony.
- Age and language: the law sets no explicit rules on these points. Choose adults with a valid passport, and ask the registry office if you are unsure.
Can the photographer or interpreter be a witness?
The law lists witnesses and the interpreter as separate roles, each signing the record for a different reason. Using the interpreter as a witness is therefore not something we would plan on. Nothing in the law excludes your photographer or planner, but no official page addresses it either. Ask the registry office before you count on it.
What if we know nobody in Prague?
We found no official statement that the Prague 1 registry office provides witnesses. Couples usually bring two friends, or their planner arranges two witnesses. We can arrange witnesses for you if you get in touch.
Three ways to keep it small
1. The registry office at Vodičkova 18
Since 2025, Prague 1 also marries couples at its office at Vodičkova 18, without the CZK 3,000 fee for “another place”. It is the quietest legal option in the centre: you, your witnesses and the officials. You can then go straight out for photos on Charles Bridge or in Malá Strana.
2. The Old Town Hall with only the legal minimum
The ceremony hall at the Old Town Hall is free for all couples. You pay only the registry fee (CZK 5,000 if neither of you has Czech permanent residence). Nothing requires you to have guests, so an Old Town Hall wedding with two witnesses is a perfectly normal elopement.
3. A symbolic ceremony in Prague
If you really want nobody else there, sign the legal papers at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in Prague. It has no legal effect, so there are no witnesses, interpreters or documents to arrange. You can say your vows at sunrise on Charles Bridge or in a garden with only your photographer. See our photo shoot rules for where that works.
Marrying by proxy
Czech law allows one partner to be represented by a proxy, but only for important reasons and with permission. In Prague the permission comes from Prague City Hall, and the decision takes up to 30 days (60 in complicated cases). The absent partner signs a power of attorney with an officially verified signature, and the proxy must be an adult with full legal capacity. Both partners cannot be represented, so at least one of you must be there. For a foreign partner, a confirmation that the home country will recognise the marriage is also needed. This is an option for exceptional situations, not for a normal elopement.
Checklist for a two-witness elopement
- Book the date with the registry office and confirm they marry non-residents.
- Prepare your documents: see our guides for US citizens, UK citizens and other nationalities.
- Choose two witnesses with valid passports and send their details to the registry office in advance.
- Book an interpreter unless both of you speak Czech.
- Plan the photos around the light with our golden hour table, with a rain plan in mind.
Plan your Prague elopement
We arrange elopements in Prague, including witnesses, interpreter, documents and photos. Tell us your date and how small you want it to be.
Sources
- Czech Civil Code: Act 89/2012, sections 655–672 (ceremony, witnesses, proxy)
- Czech Registry Act: Act 301/2000, sections 11a, 20, 38–40
- Czech Ministry of the Interior: marriage with a foreign national and marriage by proxy
- Gov.cz portal: before the wedding
- Prague 1: marriage and rules for weddings in Prague 1
Checked against these official pages in October 2026. Confirm details with the registry office before you book.