Marriage Registration in Nepal: Step by Step Guide

This article explains about the procedures for marriage registration in Nepal. Pursuant to the Chapter of Marriage Registration of the National Civil (Code) Act, 2017 (2074), marriage registration certificate can be issued based on following grounds as mentioned:

 

 

*Note: The existing law also has provisions regarding marriage registration in Nepal through Embassy or Consulate Office; however, such practice has not been adopted by the Embassy or Consulate Office yet.

 

National Civil Code 2074 ("NCC") is the governing law for marriage registration in Nepal.

 

Nepalese citizens living in Nepal or abroad as well foreign citizens can do court marriage in Nepal. The Court Marriage can be concluded under the jurisdiction of District Court.

 

3.1. Process of Court Marriage in between two Nepalese spouse

• STEP 1: Receive the single status documents from respective ward by both the Spouse.
• STEP 2: Submission of application before the District Court of Nepal.
• STEP 3: After the submission of application, Court will Examine the documents.
• STEP 4: Upon the Examinations, the Court will grant the Court Marriage Certificate.

 

 

Note: 

01. Single Status Certificate means recommendation letter that needs to be received from the ward office (Based on their respective Citizenship) stating the spouse has not been married yet. Generally, one needs to apply for court marriage within 30(Thirty) days of receiving the single status certificate from their respective ward. 

02. Both individuals should present physically at court.

03. At the day of marriage, witnesses of both the parties should present physically.

 

3.2. Documents required for court marriage between two Nepalese Spouse

The following documents are required for the registration of marriage in between both Nepalese citizens:

 

S.N.	Documents Required
1	A notarized copy of citizenship of both the man and the woman
2	A notarized copy of citizenship of each witness from both sides, the man and the woman
3	A temporary residence document stating the individual has been living in a particular ward for at least 15 days, required when one or both parties are permanent residents of a different district
4	The recommendation letter regarding unmarried/single/divorce status of both the man and the woman from the local ward office of their permanent address
5	4 (Four) copies of passport size photos of each, both man and woman

 

Note: 

• A copy of divorce is required, if the man or the woman were previously divorced with another person.
• The unmarried certificate received from respective ward is validate up to 1 month (It may vary from court to court).

 

3.3. Timeline for court marriage in Nepal 

  After all the required documents is received, it will take 1 to 2 working days.

 

 

4.1. Process of Court Marriage Registration in Nepal 

 

Procedure of court marriage registration by the foreigner in Nepal is as mentioned:

 

• Step 1: Receive the Single status certificate from respective embassy of foreign national located in Nepal. In case of Nepalese national, receiving the single status certificate from ward office.
• Step 2: Receiving the temporary residence certificate from ward office of the district where couples intend to marry.
• Step 3: Submission of application before the district court of Nepal.
• Step 4: Court will examine the documents and shall grant the Court Marriage Certificate.

 

 

4.2. Documents Required for Court Marriage in Nepal for foreigners

Following documents are required for the Court Marriage in Nepal for foreigner:

 

S.N.	Documents Required
1	A notarized copy of Passport of both the Man and the Woman. (Notary can be done in Nepal)
2	Single status certificate or recommendation letter verifying both are unmarried: For foreign nationals: From the respective foreign embassy located in Nepal For Nepalese nationals: From the ward office of their permanent address If embassy is not located in Nepal: Submit a single status document issued by the government authority of their home country The document must be in English and notarized as per the law of the respective country
3	A notarized copy of Citizenship or Passport of two witnesses (Notary can be done in Nepal)
4	Four copies of passport size photos of both the Man and the Woman each
5	If either person was previously married, a divorce decree is required. It must be translated into English and notarized in their respective country
6	After completing 15 days of stay in Nepal, foreign citizens must obtain a temporary residence document from the ward office of the district where they intend to apply for marriage registration
7	English translation and notarization of the marriage law of their respective country

 

Kindly Note: 

a. In case of absence of embassy of foreign national in Nepal, Single Status Certificate, also known as a Certificate of No Objection can be received from the municipal office, civil registry, or relevant government department from the country of the foreign national. This document has to be notarized from the respective country.

b. Court marriage application can be filed within any 77-district located in Nepal based on temporary residence.      

c. Both the couple should be present physically at court.   

d. Two witnesses should be present physically at the date of receiving the certificate. 

 

    4.3. Timeline for Court Marriage in Nepal for foreigners

Time line includes the following:

 

 

Note: It will take 18 to 20 days for all the procedure. However, we suggest to manage 22 days in Nepal. Sometime Court can ask for additional documents if in case any unclarity arise.

 

5.1. Process of Receiving the Marriage Registration Certificate: 

Pursuant to section 76 of NCC, the marriage shall be registered at ward office in case the marriage is done through the social and religious rituals. After submission of the application at the respective ward office, the ward shall examine the evidence and shall grant the marriage certificate. Kindly note a if the marriage has held between foreigners or between Nepalese Citizen or foreigner then such marriage has to be compulsory done before the competent court of Nepal. In such scenario the marriage certificate received from ward office is invalid certificate pursuant to law.

    

5.2. Required Documents for Marriage Registration in Nepal

The following documents are required along with the application for the registration of marriage at ward;

 

• a. Copies of Citizenship of both bride and groom,
• b. 3/3 copies of passport size photo of both bride and groom.
• c. Evidence related to marriage 

 

In context of Nepal, the marriage also can be established through court case in case any party deny to accept the marriage relationship. Appropriate evidence of marriage has to be provided to the court.

 

 

If the spouse wants to use the court marriage certificate in foreign jurisdiction, then the best way to authenticate the marriage certificate is (i) to notarize the certificate before Department of National Personal Record (Rastriya Kitabkhana) and (ii) after notarization do attestation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal government.

 

Date of Publication: June 22, 2025

 

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