Marriage/birth/parenthood

• copy from the Register of Births from the place of birth not older than six months,data of witnesses,
• single status certificate,
• certificate of your country of origin that there are no impediments for the conclusion of marriage abroad (the latter two certificates may be combined into one),
• proof of nationality (travel document).

• between signatory States of the Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation of foreign public documents for which certification by an "APOSTILLE" stamp is sufficient in business activities between the signatory States,
• between countries that concluded bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of these documents without certification,
• for copies from registration books issued on the basis of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention.

A same-sex union can be registered by two men or women. However, this union cannot be registered by persons under the age of 18 or if one or both of the partners has already registered a valid marriage or same-sex union. The union can be registered provided that at least one of the partners holds citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia.

If you intend to register a same-sex union, you and your partner need to make an application at the administrative unit at which you wish to register at least 30 days before the intended registration. You need to submit the following:

• copy from the Register of Births,
• proof of nationality and residence,
• proof of the foreign competent body that there are no impediments for the registration or single status certificate and proof that you have not already registered a union.

Documents shall not be older than six months, save those documents issued in countries in which copies are usually issued only once and prove only an individual fact from the registration book and not the personal status of the registered person.

If conditions are met, both partners declare, at the same time and in person, in writing upon oral consent before an official appointed by the head of the administrative unit that they wish to register the union. The union is registered from the date of signature of this declaration.

Rights of partners in same-sex unions:

• right to maintenance and alimony,
• right to acquire common property and regulate pecuniary relationships within the union,
• right to housing protection,
• right of inheritance of the share of common property after one of the partners dies,
• right to be informed of the health condition of an ailing partner and to visit the partner in health institutions.

More information on the registration or annulment of same-sex unions is available at http://e-uprava.gov.si/e-uprava/dogodkiPrebivalci.euprava?zdid=732.

During your stay in the Republic of Slovenia, it might happen that your family gets bigger and you welcome one or more new family members. In such a case, you should consult a doctor before this event in the settlement where you live. The doctor will give you all the information and advice you need. It is also important to know in which hospital you will experience this joyful moment

The birth of your child is entered into an official record – the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages – on the basis of the birth registration by the health organisation where the child was born (maternity hospital, hospital, etc.). The first copy (birth certificate) is issued ex officio by the administrative unit in the area where your child was born and sent to your address.

Provided that one of the child’s parents has permanent residence in the Republic of Slovenia, you can exercise the right to a lump-sum benefit in cash intended for the purchase of equipment for a newborn baby. You can exercise the right 60 days before the envisaged date of birth and not later than 60 days after the birth of the child at the social work centre responsible with regard to the permanent residence of the parents.

Instead of cash aid, you can choose equipment for the newborn baby in the form of a package in the equal amount. You can take a look at the packages at social work centres where you can exercise this right or at maternity schools. They are also presented in the e-package Internet shop. More information is available at http://www.novorojencek.com/.

As a father, you have a right to paternity leave lasting 90 calendar days (regardless of the number of children born at the same time). The first 15 days of leave must be used up by the time the child reaches the age of six months (otherwise, this part of paternity leave lapses), the other 75 days can be used anytime before the child reaches 3 years of age. The holder of the right to paternity leave is the father. The right is not transferable.

You must exercise your right to paternity leave at the social work centre where the mother exercised her right to maternity leave or where she was granted the right to maternity leave, respectively, 30 days before the envisaged date of the commencement of paternity leave or 60 days before the envisaged date of birth (based on the gynaecologist’s certificate). You also need to inform your employer of your intention to use the leave no later than 30 days before the envisaged commencement of paternity leave. For detailed information, contact the competent social work centre.

Pre-school education is carried out by public and private kindergartens. Children from the age of 11 months up to primary school age can enrol in kindergarten. Pre-school education is not obligatory. Children can be enrolled throughout the whole year on the basis of an application. If there are more children enrolled than there are vacant places, a commission decides on admittance. Upon admission of the child to a kindergarten, parents need to enclose a paediatrician’s certificate on the child’s state of health. Parents who receive financial social assistance according to the Social Assistance regulations are exempt from payment. Exemption from payment can be claimed at the competent municipal administrative authority.

Kindergartens are usually opened between 5:30 and 6:00am and 4:00 or 4:30pm. They operate every workday of the year; some kindergartens, however, also provide services on Saturdays.

Detailed information on enrolment, conditions and prices is available on the Ministry of Education and Sport’s website.

Vaccination is obligatory for children in Slovenia, the vaccination programme is as follows:

* infections caused by haemophilus influenzae type b

** human papillomavirus