Marriage in the Netherlands if you live abroad
If you live abroad, it is possible to get married or form a civil partnership in the Netherlands. You or your partner must have Dutch nationality. In many countries, civil partnership is not accepted. Ask if it is recognised in your country of residence.
Do you live in the Netherlands? Or does your partner live in the Netherlands?
Please give notice of your intended marriage or civil partnership in the gemeente (municipality) you want to get married in.
Do you both live abroad?
You must first submit a written report to Gemeente Den Haag (the municipality of The Hague). Submit the report 1 year before your wedding date at the earliest. Approval of your report can take 14 days or longer.*
*Please note
If you provide foreign documents with your report, approval can take longer than 14 days. Submit the report at least 1 month before your marriage. If you receive approval, you can get married or form a civil partnership.
-
The gemeente (municipality) checks whether you can get married or from a civil partnership. You are allowed to get married or form a civil partnership if…
- ...at least one of you has Dutch nationality
- …you are at least 18 years old
- …you are not married to someone else
- …you are not in a civil partnership with someone else
- …you and your partner are not in a prohibited degree of relationship. You cannot form a civil partnership with your parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or (half-)sibling. However, you can form a civil partnership with a third- or fourth-degree relative: an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or cousin. You must both declare that you are voluntarily becoming civil partners.
- …you are not under financial guardianship. Permission of your financial guardian or a sub district judge is required.
-
Learn more about getting married and forming a civil partnership on the website of the Dutch government