Wedding Formalities and Procedures in Indonesia

In accordance with Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): "a marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned."

Any couple who are of one of the five (5) religions recognized by the Government of Indonesia as follows: Christian ­ Protestant and Christian ­ Catholic, Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism may be legally married in Indonesia. However, the preference is that the couple be of the same religious belief. The marriage should be registered with the district Civil Registrar and the ceremony must be performed under religious rites.

A Christian ­ Protestant, Christian ­ Catholic, Hindu or Buddhist marriage is usually performed first in a church or temple ceremony. After the religious ceremony, every non­Islamic marriage for those from foreign nations must be recorded with the Civil Registry (Kantor Catatan Sipil). Without the registration by the Civil Registry these marriages are not legal. Recording by Civil Registry officials can be performed after the religious ceremony.

The Religious Marriage under Islam is performed by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) in a ceremony at a mosque, or any other place chosen by the couple and is legal immediately after the ceremony.

Persons of non­Islamic faith are required to file with the Civil Registry Office in the Regency where they are staying. Persons from foreign nations are also required to file the following forms: 1) a ´Notice of Intention to Marry´ and 2) a ´Letter of No Impediment to Marriage´ which can be obtained from their consular representatives.

For the "Letter of No Impediment to Marriage" requirement, you will need to present passports for both you and your fiancÉ(e). These passports must be valid for more than 6 months. If you or your fiancÉ(e) have been married before, you must provide a certified divorce decree(s). If you or your fiance´s former husband or wife is deceased, you must provide a death certificate as evidence of his or her death. Please contact the Consular Representative of your country for details well before the intended date of marriage.

The following countries have consulates or consular representative in Bali:

• Australia
• Italy
• United Kingdom
• England
• France
• Japan
• Netherlands
• Mexico
• Germany
• Spain
• Switzerland and Austria
• Norway and Denmark
• United States and America
• Sweden and Finland

For the ´Letter of Intention to Marry´ you must submit the following documents for both partners to the Civil Registry Office (show the original and present a photocopy):

• 1. Birth certificates for both Bride & Groom
• 2. Detailed copies of valid passport for both Bride & Groom
• 3. Details of religious faith; (ie baptism certificate). If you do not have a baptism certificate you will need to sign a statement that you agree to be married as a Protestant.
• 4. Occupations & domiciles for both parties
• 5. Written parental consent for any person under the age of 21 (Men 18 - 21yrs and Women 16 - 21yrs)
• 6. Death certificate of former spouse (when relevant)
• 7. Absolute Divorce Decree (when relevant)
• 8. Details of names, addresses, and professions of witnesses. Two (2) witnesses over the age of 18 years are required. Witnesses must present photocopies of their valid passport if they are foreign citizens. If you do not have any witnesses these can be arranged in Bali.
• 9. Six (6) photographs (6 x 4cm) of the couple in the same photo. Photo must be of the head & shoulders only, side by side (groom on the right), looking straight ahead. These photos will be attached to your wedding certificate: (1 (one) will be attached to the original certificate from the Civil Registrar and 1 (one) will be attached to the certificate from the church of your religion.
• 10. A letter signed by both parties certifying that the marriage is based on mutual agreement

*Copies of documents can be faxed to us but all originals must be brought to Bali for presentation and verification by the authorities.

The Civil Registry office has a Mandatory Waiting Period of 10 working days from the date of filing. This waiting period may be waived for tourists presenting a guest registration form.

Islamic Marriage Certificates (Buku Nikah) are issued by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) are legally valid in Indonesia and do not require registration with any other agency if you are going to live in Indonesia. However, if you might move somewhere else in the future, get a marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry and an officially certified translation right away.

All other Marriage Certificates will be issued by the Civil Registry usually on the same or next day. A sworn English translation of the marriage certificate should be obtained for use abroad. It is not necessary for the marriage certificate or translation to be registered by your Consular Agency. However, to have the sworn translation of the marriage certificate verified or a special translation made by the Consular Agency of your home country or the Consular Agency of your country of residence might prove useful.