What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in Iraq?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in Iraq, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in Iraq?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage whether the rules in Iraq allow you to marry there as a Dutch national. The following rules apply in Iraq:
- An Iraqi man may marry a non-Muslim woman without her having to convert to Islam.
- A Muslim Iraqi woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man.
- If the groom is not a Muslim, a religious marriage ceremony must be held first.
- If an Iraqi woman marries a non-Iraqi man, one of her parents (or a guardian) must appear in person before the court.
- Same-sex couples cannot get married in Iraq.
If you want to get married in Iraq, you and your partner must both appear in person before the court. Submit your marriage application form to the court.
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 Iraq?
To get married in Iraq 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
To get married in Iraq you and your partner must complete a marriage application form. You must both before appear in person before the court to submit the form.
To get married in Iraq you will need a valid passport.
To get married in Iraq you must have a valid visa or a valid residence permit.
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in Iraq 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 translated and legalised.
More information about having documents from Iraq 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