What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in India?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in India, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in India?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage whether the rules in India allow you to marry there as a Dutch national.
The requirements for getting married in India vary by state. The requirements also depend on your and your partner’s religion. Consult a local lawyer for advice.
In India, a man must be 21 years or older to get married. A woman must be 18 years or older to get married.
In some cases, same-sex couples can get married, this varies by state.
You cannot get married at the Dutch embassy.
Requirements for getting married for Dutch nationals
If you are a Dutch national and you want to marry, you must meet the following requirements:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. If you are under 18 and you marry abroad, the Dutch authorities will not recognise your marriage until you and your partner are both 18.
- You and your partner must not already be married to or have a registered partnership with someone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you will need the permission of your guardian or of the limited jurisdiction judge (‘kantonrechter’).
- The following family members are not allowed to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other: parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
What documents do I need to marry in India?
To get married in India you will need the following documents:
A declaration of marital status shows that you are unmarried. To get this document, you will need to submit a number of other documents.
More information about applying for a declaration of marital status
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in India are recognised in the Netherlands. But you must have your marriage certificate legalised.
Do I have to register my marriage in the Netherlands?
You may need to register your marriage in the Netherlands. This depends on where you live.
If you live in the Netherlands, you must register your marriage with your municipality. You will need your marriage certificate to do this. First have your marriage certificate legalised.
More information about having documents from India legalised
If you live outside the Netherlands, you can have your marriage certificate converted into a Dutch certificate by the municipality of The Hague. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful if you ever need an extract in the future.
More information about registering a foreign marriage certificate in the Netherlands