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  • Writer's pictureYuliana Siagian

Getting Married in Indonesia


If you are in relationship with an Indonesian citizen or a foreign national, and planning to marry in Indonesia, please read this article to prepare you on the marriage registration requirements in Indonesia.


Pursuant to Indonesian law, a marriage should be conducted based on the respective religion and belief. Both parties should be of the same religion. If the parties having different religions, the Indonesian law requires the parties to obtain a prior court stipulation from the relevant district court so that the marriage can be registered in the Marriage Registration Office.


If you will get married based on Islamic religion, the marriage shall be registered in the local office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama, “KUA”). The KUA will issue a marriage book (buku nikah) which shall serve as an evidence of the marriage. But, if you will get married based on religion other than Islam, the marriage shall be registered in the Civil Registration Office (Kantor Pencatatan Sipil). The Civil Registration Office will issue a marriage certificate (Akte Perkawinan or Surat Nikah), which shall serve as an evidence for the marriage.


Requirements for registering the Marriage which conducted based on Islamic religion in KUA


For the expatriate, please provide us with the following documents:

1. Copy of passport;

2. Copy of birth certificate that shows the full name of your parents;

3. The approval to marriage from the embassy or diplomatic representative from the respective country. This letter is usually called Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. If such approval is issued by the country’s government institution, such approval must be legalized;

4. An approval to polygamy from the court/authorized institution in the origin country of the expat, or religious court in Indonesia, if the country does not regulate such requirement;

5. Divorce decree or death certificate for a widow or a widower;

6. Parents’ data;

7. Blue background 3 (three) photos sized 2 x 3 cm, and 2 (two) photos sized 4 x 6 cm; and

8. All foreign language documents must be translated into Indonesian language by a sworn translator.


As for the Indonesian citizen, please provide us with the following documents:

1. A letter from the sub-district (kelurahan);

2. Copy of the Indonesian spouse’s residence card, birth certificate, and latest education certificate;

3. Copy of family card, and Indonesian citizen residence card of the parents;

4. Copy of the Indonesian citizen residence card of the marriage guardian (wali nikah);

5. Health statement letter from the Puskesmas;

6. Marriage recommendation from outside district (luar kecamatan);

7. Statement letter that the relevant party has not yet married before;

8. 5 (five) photos of 2 x 3 cm, and 4 (four) photos of 4 x 6 cm with a blue background;

9. Copy of 2 (two) witnessess’ Indonesian residence cards;

10. Mobile phone number;

11. Original divorce deed or death certificate for a widow or widower; and

12. Approval letter from the commander for police or military member.


Please note that each KUA may require different documents therefore you need to check to the relevant KUA where your marriage shall be registered.


Requirements for registering the Marriage which conducted based on Religion Other than Islam


For the expatriate, please provide us with the following documents: 1. Work permit and stay permit or visa;

2. Approval to marry from the embassy or representative of the origin country;

3. Expatriate’s birth certificate.


As for the Indonesian citizen, please provide us with the following documents:

1. A letter from the sub-district (kelurahan);

2. Copy of the Indonesian spouse’s residence card, birth certificate, and latest education certificate;

3. Copy of family card, and Indonesian citizen residence card of the parents;

4. Health statement letter from the Puskesmas;

5. Statement letter that the relevant party has not yet married before;

6. 2 (two) color photos of 4 x 6 cm;

7. Copy of 2 (two) witnessess’ Indonesian residence cards;

8. Mobile phone number;

9. Original divorce deed or death certificate for a widow or widower; and

10. Approval letter from the commander for police or military member.


Please note that each marriage registration office may require different documents therefore you need to check to the relevant marriage registration office where your marriage shall be registered.


Our firm can assist and represent you in registering your marriage in Indonesia, and in obtaining the Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage from the embassy or your country’s representative in Indonesia.


Advice for Family Law in Indonesia


This article was prepared and drafted by Yuliana Pertiwi Siagian, a partner of NP Consultant (www.np-consultant.com).


NP Consultant is an Indonesian law firm offering the highest quality standard of Indonesian law expertise. Our team consist of lawyers with excellent law academic background and international exposure working experience. Our lawyers have assisted many renowned foreign and local individuals and corporations.


The firm partners Yuliana and Gesiu are Indonesian lawyers assisting family law. Besides that, they also engage in wide range of legal practices, including corporate and commercial, merger and acquisition, mining, energy and natural resources, investment, immigration, due diligence and compliance, employment, dispute resolution and litigation, etc.


For advice on family law matters in Indonesia, kindly contact:

Yuliana Pertiwi Siagian

(yuliana@np-consultant.com/+62811 – 8013 – 088)

Gesiu Nicholas Manurung

(gesiu@np-consultant.com/ +62813 – 1143 – 9048)


NP Consultant Indonesia

18 Office Park, 25th Floor, Suite A 2 Jl. TB Simatupang Kav. 18 South Jakarta DKI Jakarta 12520 Indonesia Office Phone: +6221 – 2780 – 6577




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