Requirements for Marrying a European Citizen and How to Process the Documents

Marrying a European citizen can be a meaningful life step, but the process is more complex than marrying a fellow Indonesian citizen (WNI). Differences in cultural, legal, and administrative procedures between countries require meticulous document preparation and a clear understanding of the requirements.

Understanding Mixed Marriages

A marriage between an Indonesian and a foreigner, including a European, is known as a mixed marriage (perkawinan campuran). This is regulated in Article 57 of Indonesian Marriage Law No. 1 of 1974, which states:

“A mixed marriage refers to a marriage conducted outside of Indonesia between two Indonesian citizens, or between an Indonesian citizen and a foreign national.”

The process requires documents from both countries, legalization, and registration to ensure the marriage is legally recognized in both Indonesia and the foreign spouse’s home country. Therefore, document preparation should be done well in advance to avoid last-minute rush.

Required Documents

Here are the documents that must be prepared by both the Indonesian and the European partner.

Documents for the European Citizen (Foreign National)

1. Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)

This is an official document stating that the foreign national is not currently married. It is issued by the relevant authority in their home country, such as the embassy or civil registry office. To obtain it, they need to prepare:

• Original, recent birth certificate.
• Photocopy of their national ID card.
• Valid passport photocopy.
• Proof of residence (e.g., utility bills).
• Marriage forms from their home country’s embassy.

This document must be translated into Indonesian by a sworn translator and legalized at the European country’s embassy in Indonesia. This process can take one to two months, so it’s recommended to start it 3-6 months before the wedding.

2. Marital Status Certificate

If the foreign national has been married before, they need to provide a divorce certificate or the death certificate of their previous spouse. This document must also be translated and legalized.

3. Letter of Conversion to Islam (If Applicable)

If the wedding is held at the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) and the foreign national has converted to Islam, they must provide a letter of conversion from a local religious authority.

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4. Passport Photos

Prepare four 2×3 cm photos and four 4×6 cm photos. The background color should match KUA regulations (blue for even-numbered birth years and red for odd-numbered birth years).

Documents for the Indonesian Citizen (WNI)

1. Letter of Introduction from RT/RW

This letter, issued by the local neighborhood heads, states that you are not legally impeded from getting married. After obtaining it, you must take it to the sub-district office for further processing.

2. N1, N2, N3, and N4 Forms

These forms must be prepared at the sub-district office.

• N1: Introduction letter from the sub-district.
• N2: Statement of origin for the bride/groom.
• N3: Letter of consent from the couple.
• N4: Statement about the parents.

3. Photocopies of Identity Documents

• Valid ID card (KTP) and Family Card (KK).
• Original and photocopy of your birth certificate.
• Your parents’ marriage book (if you are the firstborn).
• Copies of the IDs of two witnesses.

4. Passport Photos

Same as the foreign national: four 2×3 cm photos and four 4×6 cm photos with the required background color.

5. Marriage Recommendation Letter (If Needed)

If the wedding will be held outside of your domiciled area, you will need a recommendation letter from your local KUA.

6. Prenuptial Agreement (Optional)

It is highly recommended to have a prenuptial agreement to protect assets, as foreign nationals cannot own property in Indonesia without this agreement. The document must be notarized before the wedding.

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How to Process the Documents

1. Consult the European Embassy

Contact the embassy of your partner’s country to understand their specific requirements. Every European country has different rules; for example, the Netherlands might require an additional family or domicile certificate.

2. Translate and Legalize Documents

All foreign documents must be translated into Indonesian by a sworn translator and then legalized by:

• The foreign national’s embassy in Indonesia.
• The Ministry of Law and Human Rights of Indonesia.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.
  Make sure to make photocopies of all documents before submitting them, as embassies often do not return original copies.

3. Register at the KUA or Civil Registry Office

For Islamic weddings, you must register with the local KUA at least 10 working days before the ceremony. For non-Muslim weddings, registration is done at the Department of Population and Civil Registry. All legalized documents from both partners must be submitted.

4. Attend Pre-Marital Guidance

As per Circular Bimas Islam No. 02 of 2024, prospective couples must attend a pre-marital guidance session organized by the KUA, which can be done in person, in a group, or online.

5. Marriage Registration

After the ceremony, Muslim couples will receive a marriage book, while civil couples will receive a marriage certificate. These documents must be legalized at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (for the marriage book) or the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (for the marriage certificate) to be internationally recognized. If the marriage took place abroad, you must report it to the Department of Population and Civil Registry within 30 days of returning to Indonesia.

Marrying a European citizen requires extra preparation, but with careful planning, the process can go smoothly. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to consult with the KUA, Civil Registry Office, or the relevant embassy.

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