CIVIL UNION AND COHABITATION AGREEMENTS
Registering a Civil Union/Cohabitation agreement in Cyprus
Procedure and document requirements for Israeli nationals
Important: The Cohabitation agreement in Cyprus is not registered with the municipality. The procedure takes place before the District Officer acting as Registrar at the District Administration Offices. Once registered, the cohabitation agreement has the same legal effect as marriage under Cyprus law, with the exception of adoption rights.
STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE
STEP 1 Obtain the Certificate of Civil Status/Freedom Certificate in Israel
Each party separately obtains a certificate of civil status from the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (Ministry of Interior). This document confirms that the party is single, divorced, or widowed and has no legal impediment to entering into a civil union. It must be issued no more than three months before the date of registration in Cyprus.
STEP 2 Apostille the Israeli Documents
Each Israeli public document (certificate of civil status, and divorce decree or death certificate if applicable) must carry an apostille stamp before it can be accepted by the Cyprus authorities. Israel is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention, so no consular legalisation is required beyond the apostille. The apostille is issued by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem or by a Registrar of a Magistrates’ Court in Israel.
STEP 3 Obtain Certified Translations into Greek or English
All documents not already in Greek or English must be translated by a sworn translator. Translation may be carried out by a certified translator in Israel or arranged entirely in Cyprus upon arrival.
STEP 4 Obtain a Cyprus Non-Impediment Certificate from the District Administration Office. (if one of the parties is a European Citizen or resides in Cyprus)
Israeli nationals who reside in Cyprus on the basis of a residence permit must also obtain a Non-Impediment Certificate issued by the District Administration Office in Cyprus, in addition to their Israeli certificate of civil status, together with two sworn affidavits certified by the Registrar of the Court in Cyprus, which we will provide to you, as well as the application form for the Non-Impediment Certificate that we will send to you for completion. The District Administration Office issues this certificate upon personal application and payment of a fee of EUR 34.17. Israeli nationals visiting Cyprus on a tourist basis are exempt from this requirement.
STEP 5 Book the Appointment at the District Administration Office
The registration proceedings take place exclusively by prior appointment. The appointment is booked at the District Administration Office of the district where one of the parties resides in Cyprus, or at the district of the parties’ free choice if neither party is resident in Cyprus. Lyssiotis Law will contact the District Office and arrange the appointment on the clients’ behalf once all documents are ready. Once you apply for the Non-Impediment Certificate, it is usually issued within approximately 3 weeks. After receiving it, you will be able to book an appointment with the District Administration Office, where you will present the Cyprus Non-Impediment Certificate, your passports, and a utility bill (water or electricity bill) for examination of the documents. Following this, an appointment will be scheduled for the Cohabitation Agreement.
STEP 6 Attend the Appointment in Person
Both parties attend the District Administration Office for the Cohabitation Agreement together with two witnesses. The witnesses must each be at least 18 years of age, of sound mind, and carry valid identification (passport for foreign nationals, identity card for Cypriot citizens). If the Registrar is satisfied with the submitted documents, both parties make a statement of consent before the Registrar. The Registrar reads the relevant statutory text, completes and signs the Civil Union Form, which is then co-signed by the two witnesses.
STEP 7 Pay the Fee and Receive the Certificate of Civil Union
After payment of the registration fee of EUR 90, the Registrar issues both civil partners with a duly stamped and signed Certificate of Civil Union on the same day, bearing the date of registration. Additional certified copies of the certificate are available for EUR 15 per copy. The certificate is internationally recognised and carries the same legal weight as a marriage certificate under Cyprus law.
For assistance with all stages of this process, please contact
Lyssiotis Law
vera@lyssiotislaw.com | www.lyssiotislaw.com | Tel: +357 22 348042
Disclaimer This guide is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedural requirements may change and should be confirmed with the relevant District Administration Office prior to the appointment. Lyssiotis Law accepts no liability for changes to procedure or documentation requirements after the date of publication.