Applying to get married in the Netherlands
Are you planning to get married? If you intend to get married, you must notify the municipality of this at least 2 weeks and not more than 1 year before the wedding.
There are certain requirements for marriage that everyone must meet:
- you must be at least 18 years of age;
- you cannot marry someone who is already married or in a civil partnership;
- you cannot be related to one other, e.g. grandparent, grandchild, parent, child or sibling.
Are you getting married to a non-Dutch citizen in the Netherlands? Then different conditions apply.
If you intend to marry someone of the same sex, you can get married in the Netherlands in the presence of the civil registrar. This is called a civil marriage, and you are only legally married once you have had a civil ceremony. In addition, it is possible to have a religious ceremony in some churches, but not all churches allow it. Check first with the church where you want to have the ceremony. A church wedding can only take place after the civil ceremony.
If you are getting married outside the Netherlands and are not yet 18 years old, your marriage will only be recognised in the Netherlands once both spouses have reached 18 years of age.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Applying to get married in the Netherlands
Contrary to the text above, in the municipality of Arnhem you must register a marriage at least 4 weeks before it is concluded.
If neither you nor your partner live in the Netherlands, you must give notice of your marriage in the municipality of Den Haag (The Hague). You can find more information on how to register a marriage for Dutch citizens living outside the Netherlands at the netherlandsworldwide.nl website.
When planning and registering your marriage, you make a number of choices. In any case, this concerns the wedding venue. The costs depend on your wishes and the possibilities in the municipality of Arnhem.
You can also choose your own wedding registrar. See which rules apply to choosing your own wedding registrar.
Wedding venue
You can hold the ceremony for your registered partnership in various places in the municipality of Arnhem. You can choose:
- a municipal venue
- fixed venues
- your own venue
The website offers more information about fixed wedding venues in the municipality of Arnhem and about arranging your own wedding venue.
- Valid proof of ID for both of you.
- A copy of the witnesses’ valid proof of ID (a minimum of two, a maximum of four).
- If you are under guardianship due to alcohol or drug abuse, you will need permission from the guardian. If you are under guardianship because of your physical or mental condition, the sub-district court judge must give permission. You must have arranged the permission you need before the appointment.
You register your marriage with the municipality where you want to conclude your partnership. Provide the details of yourself, your partner and your witnesses. This is possible up to four weeks before the registration date. You can make an online appointment for registration at the town hall.
Wedding room
Tuesday 13:00 and 13:15: €0 *
Tuesday 09:00 to 12:45: €200
Tuesday 13:30 to 16:45: €200
* For Tuesdays at 13:00 and 13:15 there is a waiting list of six months.
Wedding room at the Town Hal
Working days, with the exception of Wednesday, 10:00 to 16:00: €437
On other days and times: €875
Scheepenzaal
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 09:30 to 16:30: €437
Friday 14:30 and 15:30: €437
On other days and times: €875
Outdoor venue and venue of your choice (costs excluding venue hire)
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 €437
On other days and times: €658
Any additional costs
- Marriage booklet or partnership registration booklet €30
- Municipal witness €42
- Self-chosen ‘civil servant for one day’ who has not yet solemnised a marriage or partnership €295
- Self-chosen ‘civil servant for one day’ who has solemnised a marriage or partnership before €147
Cancellation costs within three months before the wedding/partnership date €139
Visiting address
Koningsstraat 38
6811DG Arnhem
| Monday | 12:00 - 20:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |