Getting married in the Netherlands if you live abroad

How does it work?

The Requirements to marry or enter into a registered partnership in the Netherlands are:

• At least 1 of you both have Dutch nationality.
• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You are not married to anyone else.
• You are not in a registered partnership with anyone else.
• You are not too closely related to your partner. This means that your partner cannot be, for example, your father, (grand)daughter, grandfather or (half)sister.
• You are not under guardianship. If you are under guardianship, you need permission from the trustee or district judge.
• The municipality checks whether you may marry or enter into a registered partnership with each other.

What does it cost?

Marriage registration is free of charge. An extract of the certificate of unification costs €17.10

What should I bring?

You can report your (wedding) plans as early as 1 year before your wedding day or partnership registration. Report it no later than 2 weeks in advance. Does the municipality need to request documents coming from abroad? Then keep in mind that 2 weeks may be too short.

This is how you report that you want to get married or enter into a civil partnership:

• Do you both live abroad? Make a written notification to the municipality of The Hague.
• Do you or your partner live in the Netherlands? Contact the municipality where you want to get married or enter into the partnership.