The Old Town Hall on Old Town Square, next to the Astronomical Clock, is the most famous place to marry in Prague. Civil weddings have taken place in its ceremony hall for decades. This page explains how booking works, what it costs and what the official rules say. Then it gives a sample plan for the day.
One thing to know first: Prague 1 does not publish much about the day itself. Ceremony length, arrival time, guest numbers and music are not on any official page. We list the questions to ask the registrar, so you get those answers in writing.
What is official
Booking opens once a year, by phone or in person
Dates at the Old Town Hall cannot be booked online. Prague 1 opens the booking for the next year on one day, in person or by phone. For 2027, booking opened on 22 June 2026 at 08:00. Dates go to whoever asks first, and foreign couples can book like anyone else. Watch the Prague 1 website in late May and June for the next year’s announcement.
Prague 1 divides the phone lines by the groom’s surname. For 2027 the published numbers were +420 221 097 688 (surnames A–L) and +420 221 097 296 or +420 221 097 248 (M–Ž). Check the current announcement before you call, because the contacts can change.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Ceremony hall at the Old Town Hall | Free for all couples |
| Registry fee if neither of you has Czech permanent residence | CZK 5,000 |
| Registry fee if one of you has permanent residence | CZK 3,000 |
| Ceremony outside the set wedding days and hours | additional CZK 3,000 |
The fee is paid before the ceremony, by one of you.
Documents
Prague 1 sets no fixed processing deadline, so hand in your documents as early as you can. Two time limits are fixed by law. The certificate of legal capacity to marry may be at most six months old on the wedding day. The confirmation of lawful stay for non-EU citizens may be at most seven working days old. The full list is in our guides for US citizens, UK citizens そして other foreigners.
Who must be there
The two of you, two witnesses with valid ID, the officiant, the registrar, and an interpreter if either of you does not understand Czech. More in our guide to witnesses and small weddings.
Photos in the building
The visitor rules of the Old Town Hall, run by Prague City Tourism, allow private photos and video without a tripod. Professional shoots need the operator’s consent in advance, and flash is never allowed. These are the general rules for the building. Ask the registrar what applies during your ceremony.
The marriage certificate
You receive the Czech marriage certificate (oddací list) after the wedding. Agree with the registrar when and how you will receive it, especially if you fly home soon after. To use it abroad you will need an apostille from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Questions to ask the registrar
Send these in writing when you book, and keep the answers.
- Which days and times are the regular wedding slots, and is our date one of them?
- How long does the ceremony take, and how early should we arrive?
- What happens if we are late?
- How many guests fit in the hall?
- Can our photographer and videographer work during the ceremony, and from where?
- Is there music, and can we choose it?
- Do we need to meet the registrar or officiant before the day?
- When and how will we receive the marriage certificate?
A sample plan for the day
This is our suggested plan, not an official schedule. Adjust the times to the answers you get from the registrar and to the light on your date.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 3 hours before | Hair and make-up at your hotel |
| 1 hour before | Getting-ready photos, first look in a quiet courtyard or the hotel |
| 45 minutes before | Leave for Old Town Square. The Old Town streets are narrow and busy, so ask your driver where they can stop and plan the last few minutes on foot. |
| Arrival time given by the registrar | Meet your witnesses and interpreter at the entrance, with passports ready |
| Ceremony | Vows, rings, signatures of the couple, witnesses and interpreter |
| Straight after | Group photo on Old Town Square, then a short walk through the old streets |
| Next 1–2 hours | Couple photos on Charles Bridge and in Malá Strana |
| Afternoon | Lunch or dinner with your guests; an evening session at golden hour if you like |
Tips for the day
- Old Town Square is crowded from late morning. Expect tourists in the background of square photos, and plan quieter spots for portraits.
- Check the light. Our golden hour table shows when evening photos look best in each month.
- Have a rain plan. See our covered photo locations.
- Check the photo rules for places you want to visit after the ceremony in our photo shoot rules guide.
- Bring the documents and the fee receipt in one folder, and give it to one witness to carry.
Let us handle the booking
Booking day is short and the phone lines are busy. We can call for you on booking day, prepare the documents, arrange the interpreter and witnesses, and plan the photos around the ceremony. Tell us your preferred dates.
Sources
- Prague 1: marriage, documents and fees, booking of 2027 dates, rules for weddings in Prague 1
- Czech Ministry of the Interior: marriage with a foreign national
- Gov.cz portal: before the wedding
- Prague City Tourism: Old Town Hall and its visitor rules
- Czech Registry Act: Act 301/2000, section 35
Checked against these official pages in October 2026. Booking dates and contacts change every year.
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