Converting registered partnership to marriage

What is it?

How nice that you would like to officially record your relationship with your registered partner in a marriage.

How does it work?

If you have a registered partnership, you can convert this partnership into a marriage. You can apply for conversion to marriage online. You do not need witnesses for this. In the online application, you indicate your wishes.

  • You do not need to file a notification. Formerly also called "civil marriage" or "declaration.
  • The conversion will take place without witnesses.
  • Converting a partnership into a marriage at the registry office can be arranged online directly. 
  • If you wish to convert the partnership at one of the official wedding locations of the municipality of Kerkrade, a wedding ceremony is possible.
  • If you have a registered partnership, you cannot marry abroad.
  • When making a conversion at the registry office, you should bring with you:
    • A valid ID of both.
    • If the partnership was entered into another municipality: a recent copy of the deed, not older than 3 months.

A conversion of a registered partnership into a marriage is done at your municipality with a deed of conversion. This deed is proof of marriage. As soon as you sign the deed, your registered partnership ends and you are officially married. The conversion will appear in the marriage register.

 

What to do?

  • You notify the municipality that you wish to enter into a registered partnership. Do this at least fourteen days in advance in the municipality where you want your partnership to be registered.
  • Indicate who will be your witnesses during the ceremony. These persons must be of age. You may have a minimum of two and a maximum of four witnesses.

Registered partnership with a non-Native

If your partner does not have Dutch nationality, he or she must first submit a "Declaration of No Marriage of Apparition. With this, your partner declares not to enter into a partnership with you for a residence permit. The IND checks this declaration.

You do not need this statement if you:

  • both have the nationality of one of these countries
  • both have permanent residence permits
  • both have indefinite asylum permits
  • want to register a foreign registered partnership older than ten years in the Netherlands
  • want to register a terminated foreign partnership in the Netherlands

What does it cost?

Conversion at the counter costs €50.00

If you wish to convert your partnership at one of the official wedding venues, the same rules apply as for a wedding ceremony.

A conversion is never free.

Arrange online

DigiDConverting registered partnership to marriage

What do I need?

  • copy of your birth certificate and that of your partner
  • valid ID of you and your partner
  • copy of the valid IDs of your witnesses
  • if you were previously married or had a registered partnership: proof that it ended, such as a divorce certificate or death certificate

Additional information

  • If you want to convert your registered partnership into a marriage, ask the municipality for a "deed of conversion.
  • Do you both live outside the Netherlands and does at least one of you have Dutch nationality? Then you should file the notification with the municipality of The Hague.
  • A foreign partnership is not recognized if you or your partner is under the age of eighteen.

Other Requirements

  • You may not form a partnership with your own child, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, grandchild, half-brother, half-sister.
  • You may not be forced into a registered partnership.
  • Are you under guardianship? Then you need permission from the curator or district judge.

If you do not meet the Requirements, the Minister of Justice and Security may still give permission. For example, if you are siblings by adoption. This is called marriage dispensation.

Effects of registered partnership abroad

There are countries that do not recognize registered partnerships. This can have consequences if, for example, you want to live in another country. Check with the embassy if this is the case for you.