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Getting Married

Getting married, wedding.

Conditions of Marriage

At least one partner must be Dutch or a resident of the Netherlands in order to get married in the Netherlands. Both individuals must be over the age of 18 and not yet married or in a registered partnership. 

At least 14 days prior to your wedding, you are required to give notice of your intention to marry (ondertrouw). Send a notice to the municipal authority (gementee) where at least one partner resides. You have the option of choosing your wedding date and municipality during the marriage registration process. 

Be aware that your residency status is checked by the IND, the immigration authority!

Wedding rings

Here you can find information regarding getting married in the Netherlands as an international.

Marriages are conducted by the ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand (Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships). 

In the Netherlands, partners have the option of choosing between two legal types of living arrangements: They can get married or form a registered partnership, also known as a civil partnership.

The procedure is nearly identical, but there are few distinctions: 

  • If there are no minor children involved, registered partnerships can be ended without going to court.
  • In your home country, one or the other might not be easily understood or recognized. 
  • Legal marriage can be formed from a registered partnership, but not the other way around.

A cohabitation agreement (samenlevingscontract) or living together without a formal agreement is another option.

Required Paperwork

  • Identification (e.g., passport) 
  • Proof of nationality 
  • Birth certificate (legalized and translated, if from abroad) 
  • Proof of address  
  • Proof of civil status 

Dutch Citizenship 

Marrying a Dutch citizen does not automatically grant you Dutch citizenship. The usual application process applies, but you are more likely to be granted citizenship.  

Surnames 

Couples must keep their own names for official documents. However, they may use either name or hyphenate both surnames in informal settings. 

 

Getting married abroad

Planning on getting married abroad? You might have to register your marriage in the Netherlands. 

More in Legal Matters

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