Marriage Registration in Nepal | New Guide Updated 2082

Legal Framework and Eligibility for Marriage Registration in Nepal

Legal Acts and Codes: Marriage in Nepal is governed by the National Civil Code 2017 (2074 B.S.), particularly Part 3: Family Law, Chapter 1, which covers provisions relating to marriage​s. (Historically, the Marriage Registration Act 2028 B.S. (1971) and associated rules provided the legal basis, but these have since been superseded by the Civil Code.) Under current law, any marriage must comply with certain conditions to be valid.

Eligibility Criteria: According to Section 70 of the Civil Code, the key conditions for a valid marriage in Nepal include​ssjurists.com.np:

• Minimum Age For Marriage: Both the bride and groom must be at least 20 years old. Nepal’s law explicitly sets 20 as the minimum marriageable age for both men and women. (Marriage below this age is illegal and will not be registered.)
• Consent: Marriage must be entered with the free mutual consent of both parties. Forced marriages or marriages without consent are invalid.
• Single/Unmarried Status: Both parties should be unmarried at the time of marriage (or legally divorced or widowed). Bigamy is illegal in Nepal, so you cannot register a new marriage while a previous marriage is still in effect​.
• No Prohibited Relationship: The couple should not be close relatives forbidden by law from marrying (to avoid incestuous relationships)​.
• Sound Mind and Health: Both should be of sound mind and not currently suffering from certain incurable diseases that law deems a barrier (e.g. some provisions mention HIV or serious illnesses where marriage could be prohibited)​. Additionally, individuals who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses may be barred from marrying under specific circumstances​.

If the above criteria are met, the marriage is legally eligible to be registered. Nepalese law recognizes marriages conducted through different means whether through a traditional religious ceremony or through a court procedure as long as they are properly registered with the authorities​. The law also mandates that marriages (just like births and deaths) should be reported to the local government within a certain timeframe (generally within 35 days of the marriage ceremony) for marriage registration in Nepal.

Step-By-Step Marriage Registration Process in Nepal

Nepal offers two main avenues for marriage registration, depending on how you choose to solemnize the marriage:

1. Marriage Registration at the Local Ward Office (after a religious or social ceremony) – This is common for couples who perform a traditional wedding (e.g., a Hindu ceremony, Buddhist ceremony, etc.) with family and then register the marriage with the civil authorities for the legal certificate. This is sometimes called local marriage registration or ward office registration.
2. Marriage Registration through the District Court (Court Marriage) – This is a civil marriage process where the couple registers the marriage directly through a court without necessarily having a prior religious ceremony. Court marriage is often used by couples who want a quick, legal marriage (for example, inter-caste couples facing family opposition or when one partner is a foreign national). The court marriage process results in legal registration as well.

Both methods ultimately yield an official marriage registration certificate in Nepal, but the steps and requirements differ slightly. Below is a step-by-step guide for each route.

Registering a Marriage at the Local Ward Office (Traditional Marriage Registration)

If you have conducted a traditional or social marriage ceremony (or plan to), you should register the marriage at the local government office for it to be legally recognized. Nepal’s local governance structure requires you to register at the ward office of your municipality or rural municipality (Gaupalika) where either the bride or groom resides​. The ward office is the frontline authority for civil registration in Nepal and maintains the records of marriages in its jurisdiction.

Steps to Register Marriage at Ward Office:

1. Organize the Marriage Ceremony: First, perform the marriage according to your religion or customs (such as a Hindu wedding with a priest, a Nikah for Muslims, a church wedding for Christians, or even a simple social ceremony). While a formal ceremony is not explicitly required by law, in practice the ward office will ask for proof that a marriage event took place before they register it. Proof can be a marriage invitation card, photographs of the ceremony, or a document from the officiant (priest, imam, pastor, etc.) confirming the marriage.
2. Visit the Local Ward Office: Within 35 days of the marriage ceremony, both spouses (husband and wife) should go to the ward office of the area where either one has a permanent address​. It’s important to do this on time; registering beyond 35 days may incur a late registration fine (usually a small fee of around NPR 200)​. At the ward office, request the marriage registration application form (some wards provide these forms online or allow you to fill in basic details online, but you will still need to appear in person)​.
3. Fill Out the Application Form: Complete the marriage registration form with required details of both spouses. This typically includes personal information (names, dates of birth, addresses), date and place of marriage, and parents’ details. If the form is available online, you can fill it in advance. Otherwise, you will fill it at the office.
4. Submit Required Documents: Along with the application, submit all necessary documents (see the next section for a detailed list of documents required for marriage registration in Nepal). Generally, for a ward registration these include: copies of both spouses’ citizenship certificates (if Nepali) or passports (if foreign), proof of the marriage event (marriage certificate from temple or church if available, or the invitation card and photographs of the ceremony as evidence, two passport-sized photographs of the bride and groom each, and identification of two witnesses. The witnesses (often relatives or friends) should also accompany you to the ward office and be prepared to sign the register or documents affirming the marriage. Witnesses must have their IDs (citizenship for Nepali, or passport if foreigner) for verification.
5. Verification by Ward Officials: The ward secretary or authorized official will review your application and documents​. They may ask the witnesses to give a brief statement or sign an affidavit confirming that the marriage took place with consent. If one spouse is from a different ward or district, you might be asked for a letter of unmarried status (or migration certificate) from that person’s home ward, to ensure the person was single and the marriage is properly noted in both places – this can vary by locale. Any prior marital status documents (divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse) will be verified if applicable.
6. Pay the Registration Fee: Pay the requisite marriage registration fee. The standard fee is around NPR 500 (about USD $4) for Nepali citizens​. This fee might be slightly different depending on the municipality, but it is generally nominal. If you exceeded the 35-day limit, you will pay the late fee (e.g., NPR 200 extra) as per government rules​. The ward office will issue a receipt for the payment.
7. Issuance of Marriage Certificate: After processing, the ward office will record the marriage in the official marriage register. You and your witnesses may need to sign the register to finalize the entry. The ward can often issue the marriage registration certificate on the same day or within a few working days​. The certificate will bear the signatures of the ward official and have the official stamp, and it serves as legal proof of your marriage. In some cases, you might be asked to return the next day to collect the signed certificate. (If the ward needs approval from the municipality office, it could take up to a week, but typically it’s quick.) The certificate is usually in Nepali; if you need it for use abroad, you can later get it translated or attested as needed.

Note: Marriage registration at the ward is necessary even if you had a religious ceremony, because the government only recognizes the marriage legally when it’s registered. Nepal’s law states that if a couple “accept each other as husband and wife” through a ceremony or ritual, it shall be registered at the local government office to be deemed valid.

Documents Required for Marriage Registration in Nepal

The exact documents required for marriage registration in Nepal will vary slightly depending on whether the marriage involves Nepali citizens only or foreign nationals. Below is a breakdown of documents by scenario:

• For Two Nepali Citizens (General Requirements):
  • Citizenship Certificates: Copies of the Nepali citizenship certificates of both the bride and groom (along with the originals for verification). These prove identity, age, and nationality.
  • Unmarried Status Letter: Recommendation letters from the local ward offices confirming each person’s single/unmarried status or proof of divorce if previously married. (For ward office registration after a ceremony, this may not be explicitly required if the marriage is already done, but for court marriage it is mandatory.)
  • Marriage Event Evidence (for ward registration): A marriage invitation card, marriage certificate from the temple/church, or photographs of the ceremony as proof that a wedding took place​. If the marriage was conducted by a religious authority, any document or affirmation from them can be included.
  • Photographs: Passport-sized photos of both spouses (usually 4 copies each). Some offices ask for auto-size (smaller) photos – common requirement is two each, but to be safe have at least 4 copies ready. These are attached to the application form and the certificates.​
  • Witnesses’ Citizenship: Photocopies of the citizenship certificates of two witnesses (with originals for verification). The witnesses can be friends, family, or anyone who knows the couple; they just need to be adults with valid ID. Their presence is required for signing, so they should come in person.
  • Residence Proof: If the registration is happening in a location that is not the permanent address of one of the spouses, a temporary residency document or migration certificate might be needed.
  • Previous Marital Status Documents: If either individual was married before, you must provide the legal proof of termination of that marriage. This could be a divorce decree issued by a court or a death certificate of the former spouse (in case of widow/widower). These documents must be certified true copies. Nepal law forbids registering a new marriage without proof that the prior marriage has legally ended​.
• For Inter-Caste or Inter-Religion Marriages (Nepali Citizens):
  The document requirements are the same as for any Nepali couple. Nepal’s law does not require any additional paperwork solely because a marriage is inter-caste or between different ethnic/religious backgrounds. Both individuals provide their citizenship papers and other documents as listed above. Inter-caste marriages are fully legal in Nepal and are registered in the same way.
• For Marriage Between a Nepali Citizen and a Foreign National:

Marriages involving a foreigner have some additional documentation requirements:

1. Passport and Visa
2. No Objection Letter (Single Status Certificate):
3. Affidavit of Eligibility
4. Residency Letter
5. Translated Copies
6. Nepali Partner’s Documents
7. Witnesses

• For Two Foreign Nationals Marrying in Nepal:
  While less common, it is legally possible for two foreigners to marry each other in Nepal (especially if from countries where a Nepali marriage would be recognized).

How to Check Marriage Registration in Nepal

After you have applied for marriage registration, you might want to verify that the registration is completed or check the status of the certificate. There are a few ways to check marriage registration in Nepal:

• At the Ward Office
• District Court Verification
• Online Verification (if available)
• Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR)
• Verification for Third Parties

Checking Status: If you applied and are waiting beyond the expected time, visit the office. Delays can happen if there was a document missing or an official needed additional approval. Politely ask the registrar if everything is in order. Sometimes, providing a contact number and asking them to inform you when ready is useful.

Conclusion

Registering your marriage in Nepal is a crucial step to ensure your union is recognized by law. It might seem bureaucratic, but it grants you a marriage certificate that will serve as an essential document throughout your married life. This guide has outlined the process of marriage registration in Nepal under both the ward system and court system, detailed the documents required for marriage registration in Nepal for various scenarios, and explained how to obtain and verify the marriage registration certificate in Nepal.