How to marry in Indonesia for foreigners

General Guidance on Marriage Formalities in Indonesia:

*Note: this information is for the convenience of enquirers and is subject to change without notice by the Indonesian authorities.

General Criteria under the Indonesian Marriage law of 1 October 1974, a marriage may only be contracted if the man has reached the age of 19, and the woman of the age of 16:

•     If a person has not reached the age of 21, the consent of both his (or her) parents is required;
•     If one of the parents has died or is incapable of stating his (or her) will, the consent of only one parent is required. If both parents are deceased or are incapable, consent can be obtained from either the guardian or a close family relative or friend; 
•     For a Muslim woman whose previous marriage has been dissolved, there should be a waiting period of 100 days before a second marriage can be contracted;
•     Anyone planning to marry in Indonesia must give notice of their intention to the Registrar of Marriages (Kantor Catatan Sipil (Civil Registry Offices ) or Kantor Urusan Agama) in the district where the marriage is to be performed – at least 10 working days prior to the marriage;
•     Two witnesses are required;
•     A letter of no objection to marriage ("NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE") must be obtained from the Embassy or Consulate General of the foreign national concerned for presentation to the district Civil Registry Office (Kantor Catatan Sipil or Kantor Urusan Agama) before the wedding. See Address of Indian Embassy and Indian Consulate in Indonesia here.

Documents required by the Indonesian authorities:

The following documents (original only) must be produced to the Indonesian authorities by the parties contracting the marriage:

•     Full birth certificates and passports;
•     Details of names, religion/faith (such as baptismal certificates), occupation and domicile of both parties;
•     Written parental consent, if required (see above);
•     Death certificate of former spouse, where relevant;
•     Decree absolute divorce certificate, where relevant.

And for those who are resident and working in Indonesia:

1.     Tax clearance;
2.     Police book; 
3.     KITAS card (previous known as KIM(s) card)
4.     Letter from employer;
5.     Work permit
6.     Two photographs (4 x 6 cms)

Document required by the Indonesian Authorities:

The Indonesian authorities require all foreign nationals planning to marry in Indonesia, to obtain a “NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE (NOC)" from their national Embassy before the wedding. For the Indian Embassy to issue this letter, Indian citizens must be called personally at the Indian Embassy or Consulate General to swear an affidavit (oath), along with the fianée/é, that they are free to marry. They must bring with them their current valid passport and, if married before, their original divorce decree absolute certificate. Please refer to the Consular Fees Table, the Indian Embassy or Consulate General can only accept rupiah cash (payable at the prevailing consular rate of exchange) for the services. (Please note that fees & rates are subject to change at any time).

Important Notices:

Marriage in Indonesia: No Objection Certificate (NOC)

If you are an Indian Citizen and wish to marry in Indonesia, the local authorities require that you produce a document from the Indian Embassy to the effect that you are free to marry. This is known as a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC). The Consular Section of the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, or Indian Consulate General in Medan, or Consulate General in Bali can issue an NOC acceptable to the Indonesian authorities.

Any arrangements to marry in Indonesia MUST account for the necessary processing period of obtaining a No Objection Certificate, there is no fast track system and you should not make any bookings unless you are sure that you are able to obtain the necessary documentation before the wedding date.

These requirements are for any Indian nationals intending to marry in Indonesia and each individual will be required to obtain own NOC.

If an Indian national intends to marry a foreign national, then the foreign national will have to comply with the regulations as required by their own country.

► For an NOC obtained in India:

Where an NOC is obtained in India, the Indonesian authorities will require a covering letter from the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, or Indian Consulate General in Medan, or Consulate General in Bali attesting that the document was genuinely issued by a competent India Registrar. This can be done on the day you apply if you can produce an NOC issued by your local Registrar of Marriages in India. You MUST check with your local Registrar for the requirements of obtaining an NOC in India, however the process will usually take a minimum of 22 days and the NOC will only be valid for a period of 3 months from date of issue.

Please note that in addition to any fees charged for obtaining the NOC in India you will be required to pay a Consular fee (please refer to the Consular Fees Table which is payable in cash rupiah only. You be will required to:

•     Present the original NOC (3 months validity only from date of issue if it is issued in India)
•     Present your passport
•     If there is a discrepancy with regards to the name of your fiancée/fiancé, present her/his passport or birth certificate.
•     Pay the Consular fee.

► For an NOC obtained other than in India or in Indonesia. (i.e Through an Indian Embassy or Consulate General elsewhere):

If you intend to marry in Indonesia but are not resident either here (in Indonesia) or in India, you may make an application to place a Notice of  Marriage at the Embassy in your country of residence. Please note that at the time of making an application to place a Notice of Intended Marriage you will be required swear an affidavit to a Consular Officer to the effect that you are free to marry. You should indicate clearly to the Consular staff that it is your intention to marry in Indonesia. You should seek advice from your local Indian Embassy or Consulate on how and when to apply but you will need to provide evidence that you have been resident in that country for a minimum of 22 days before making an application. You will be charged a fee payable in local currency at the prevailing consular rate of exchange. Once the notice period of 21 days has been met you will be given a copy of the notice which will show that “No Objection to an Intended Marriage has Been Shown to Exist”. A copy of the Notice of Marriage will then be forwarded to Jakarta or Medan or Bali. The Notice will only be valid for a period of 3 months from date of issue.



When you arrive in Indonesia:

When you arrive in Indonesia you can then apply for the NOC from the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, or Consulate General in Medan, or Consulate General in Bali. You will at this time be charged a fee (please refer to the Consular Fees Table), and issued with the certificate acceptable to the Indonesian authorities. You will be required to:

    Present the original annotated Notice of Marriage (3 months validity only from date of issue).
    Present your passport.
    If there is a discrepancy with regards to the name of your fiancée/fiancé, present her/his passport or birth certificate.
    Pay the NOC fee

► For an NOC to be obtained in Indonesia:

*(Please note that the period of processing an application in Indonesia will be no less than 42 days)*

If wish to apply for a Certificate of No impediment in Indonesia you will have to comply with the Marriage with Foreigners Act 1906. This requires that you reside in the Indonesia for 21 clear days before giving notice of your intended marriage and this period of residence must be immediately prior to acceptance of the Notice. (Twenty-one clear days means that the day you arrive in Indonesia or the day you submit your Notice of Intention to Marry may not be counted). When you give notice of your intended marriage, you will be required to swear an Affidavit before a Consular Officer to the effect that you are not aware of any impediment to the marriage.

Your Notice of Marriage will then be displayed in a public place in the Embassy for a further 21 clear days (excluding the day you swear the Affidavit). You will be charged a fee for Notice of Intended Marriage. The NOC can be issued the day after the 21 clear day period has elapsed and you should collect it from the Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible thereafter. You will at this time be charged a consular fee for the No Objection Certificate. The NOC will only be valid for a period of 3 months from date of issue.

Applicants who have been previously married will have to produce to the Embassy or Consulate Staff the original death certificate or divorce decree absolute, as appropriate.

You must reside Indonesia for 21 days (counting your latest arrival).  Once you have completed your 21 days residency, you have to present yourself to the Consular section of the Embassy or Consulate.

•     Present your passport (showing the date of entry).
•     Fill in the following forms: Affidavit and Notice of Marriage (NOM).
•     If widowed, present the original death certificate of the deceased spouse;
•     if divorced, present the original divorce decree papers.
•     Pay the fees for NOC & NOM.

Note: Please include the address and the telephone number of the Indian Embassy or Indian Consulate here.

Indonesian Marriage Registration:

In Indonesia, all marriages have to be performed in a religious ceremony before they can be registered with the Civil Register Office. Five religions are recognised in Indonesia: Islam, Christian (Protestant and Catholic), Hindu, and Buddhism. All religious marriages (except Muslim marriage) must be registered with the relevant district Civil Register Office (Kantor Catatan Sipil) to make it valid and legal under Indonesian Law. Islamic marriages are conducted under the auspices of the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) and are not subject to Civil registration.  Islamic marriage is only valid if the marriage is registered with the Religious Affairs Office (Kantor Urusan Agama). Any religious ceremony conducted by a Penghulu (Islamic leader) is not legally recognised by the Indonesian government unless it is registered and it will pose a problem when you want to register your child with the Indonesian Civil Registry Office and with the Embassy. Indonesia does not permit a marriage of a couple of different religions.

The Civil Registrar will issue original marriage certificates to both husband and wife. For Muslim marriages, the office of Religious Affairs will issue a “Buku Nikah” to both husband and wife.

Depositing a Record of a foreign marriage with the Office of The Registrar General in India

It is not possible to register a foreign marriage with the Indian authorities, nor the Indian Embassy in Jakarta or Consulate General in Medan or Consulate General in Bali. However, it is possible to apply through this Consulate General, to deposit a record of your marriage, with the Office of The Registrar General in India.

This is not obligatory (the Indian authorities will recognise marriage certificates produced by the Civil Registrar; and Buku Nikah produced by the office of Religious Affairs) but serves the purpose of having a permanent record of the marriage in the India archives. (The original certificate will not be returned to the applicant). The Office of The Registrar General will write to you direct to confirm the record has been deposited with them.

Article by Imelda Haroon


To read the Indonesian version click here