If you are planning to get your marriage registered with the court in Nepal then you MUST consult with an experienced family lawyer or a Marriage Lawyer in Nepal to get detailed and updated information to proceed for court marriage registration in Nepal be it a foreign marriage registration or a Nepali citizen court marriage registration.
Marriage registration is a legal process in Nepal, falls under the Civil Code of 2017 (2074). Whether the marriage is traditional, arranged, inter-caste, love marriage, or foreign-national-related, registration is required to ensure that the union is legally valid and recognised by the government. Here’s a detailed summary of how the marriage registration procedure works in Nepal:
Types of Marriage Registrations in Nepal
- Registration Following Traditional Marriage
- Registering a previously performed marriage (religious or cultural wedding).
- Court marriage (marriage by registration)
- Without a conventional ceremony, the procedure is carried out directly before the District Court.
- Marriage of a Nepali and a foreigner
- Additional paperwork and verification is required.
General Requirements For Marriage Registration
- According to the Civil Code of Nepal , both parties must satisfy the following requirements:
- Both partners must be 20 years old.
- Both must be mentally sound and competent to provide permission.
- They cannot be linked by blood in a limited sense.
- Marriages must be monogamous (polygamy is forbidden in Nepal).
Where should you Register?
- Ward Office: for registration following traditional marriage.
- District Court of Nepal – for judicial marriage or international marriage registration.
- Consult a lawyer to get better understanding as per your case.
Process 1: Registration after traditional marriage.
Step-by-step:
- Visit the Ward Office in the region where the bride or groom has a permanent domicile.
- Submit the application together with the appropriate documentation.
- The ward office confirms the marriage and issues a Marriage Registration Certificate (Bihe Darta Praman Patra).( Marriage Certificate issued from the relevant court)
Required Documents:
Here are the list of documents required for marriage registration at the ward level in Nepal.
- Application form (available in the Ward Office)
- Citizenship certificates for both husband and wife
- Copies of the parents’ citizenship (occasionally required)
- Passport-sized photographs of both parties
- Wedding invitation card or images as evidence (optional but useful).
- Recommendation of the local authorities (if asked)
Process #2: Court Marriage (Bihe Darta)
Step-by-step:
- Submit an application to the District Court together with any essential documentation.
- The court will hold a hearing to verify eligibility.
- Once approved, the marriage is performed in front of a judge and witnesses.
- The court issues a marriage certificate.
Required documents
- Both parties signed the application.
- Citizenship certificates of the bride and groom.
- Birth Certificates
- Unmarried certificates
- Passport-sized photographs
- Letter of recommendation from Ward Office (in some districts)
- Temporary Residency Letter)
- For foreigners: passport, visa, and a no objection letter from their respective embassy.
Time Frame for Marriage Registration
2 Working Days if all the Legal requirements is fulfilled.
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Certified is issued from the court if the legal requirements is fulfilled and Judge signs the decree.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact +977-9847691209
Ms. Advocate Alpana Bhandari is the CEO of Divorce Lawyer Nepal. She focuses her practice on all elements of family law, including divorce, custody, and property division. She advises prospective clients on, among other things, foreign direct investment (FDI), planned investments, joint ventures, and corporate and individual legal counsel on business establishment, business purchase, sales, contract review, contract drafting, share transfer, and company agreements.