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The United States is one of the top nationalities we see at our practice — American citizens marrying Nepali partners, other foreigners, or even two Americans choosing Nepal as their marriage destination. The good news: US citizens can legally marry in Nepal under the Muluki Civil Code 2074, and the marriage is fully recognised by the United States government and USCIS. However, the US Embassy in Kathmandu does not issue a traditional No Objection Certificate. Instead, Americans must obtain an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry — and the process has specific steps that differ from other nationalities. This guide covers everything a US citizen needs to know about court marriage in Nepal.
US citizen court marriage in Nepal is legal under Sections 67–84 of the Civil Code 2074. The US Embassy in Kathmandu issues an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry (same-day, walk-in appointment). Both parties must be at least 20 years old, unmarried, and give free consent. The American partner must complete a 15-day continuous stay in Nepal before filing the application at the District Court.
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Can US Citizens Get Married in Nepal?
Yes — without restriction. Section 69 of the Muluki Civil Code 2074 grants every person the freedom to marry regardless of nationality. US citizens can marry:
- A Nepali citizen (the most common scenario we handle)
- Another US citizen
- A citizen of any other country
Nepal's court marriage is entirely civil — no religious ceremony is required, and the process is the same regardless of the couple's faith, ethnicity, or background. The marriage produces a legally valid certificate that is recognised by both Nepal and the United States.
The US Embassy Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry
This is the single most important document for an American marrying in Nepal — and the process is different from what most other countries require.
Why an Affidavit Instead of an NOC?
The US Embassy does not issue a traditional No Objection Certificate (NOC). US government policy does not permit embassies to certify that a marriage complies with US law. Instead, the Embassy provides an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry — a notarised sworn statement by the US citizen confirming they are legally free to marry. Nepali courts accept this affidavit as the equivalent of an NOC.
How to Get the Affidavit
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Where | US Embassy Kathmandu, Maharajgunj |
| Appointment | Schedule through the US Embassy Kathmandu website. Walk-in may be available for American Citizen Services |
| Processing time | Same day — the affidavit is typically completed during your visit |
| What you swear to | Your full legal name, date of birth, US citizenship, current marital status (single/divorced/widowed), and that you are legally free to marry |
| Documents to bring | Valid US passport, partner's name and details, divorce decree if previously married |
After the Affidavit
Once you receive the affidavit, it must be:
- Translated to Nepali by a certified translator
- Notarised by a licensed Nepali notary
The translated and notarised affidavit is then submitted to the District Court as part of your marriage application.
The 15-Day Residency Rule
Before filing a court marriage application, the US citizen must complete 15 consecutive days of continuous stay in Nepal. This is verified through your passport arrival stamp.
| Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15 consecutive days — no breaks |
| Proof | US passport arrival stamp |
| Can you leave Nepal? | No. Leaving resets the count to zero |
| Visa needed | Tourist visa (available on arrival at Tribhuvan Airport or in advance from a Nepal Embassy in the US) |
| Use the time wisely | Get the Embassy affidavit, translate documents, obtain Ward Office certificate, arrange witnesses |
Planning tip: Many American clients arrive in Nepal, get the Embassy affidavit on Day 1–2, and spend the remaining days handling translations and notarisation. By Day 15, everything is ready to file.
Documents Required from the US Citizen
| # | Document | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valid US passport | Must have 6+ months remaining validity. Notarised copy required |
| 2 | Valid Nepal visa | Tourist visa — available on arrival for US citizens (30/90 day options) |
| 3 | Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry | From the US Embassy in Kathmandu. Translated to Nepali and notarised |
| 4 | Single status affidavit | Sworn statement that you are unmarried. Can be included in the Embassy affidavit or prepared separately |
| 5 | Birth certificate | Translated to Nepali and notarised. Some courts also accept a passport as proof of birth details |
| 6 | US marriage law summary | Translated summary of relevant US federal/state marriage law. Your lawyer prepares this |
| 7 | Proof of 15-day stay | Passport arrival stamp |
| 8 | Ward Office temporary residence certificate | From the local Ward Office where you are staying in Nepal |
| 9 | Passport-size photographs | 4 recent photographs |
| 10 | Divorce decree (if previously married) | Final divorce decree from the issuing US state court, translated to Nepali and notarised |
If marrying a Nepali citizen, the Nepali partner provides their citizenship certificate, single/unmarried status certificate from the Ward Office, photographs, and divorce decree if applicable.
Need help preparing your documents? We handle US citizen marriage cases daily →
Step-by-Step Process for US Citizens
| Phase | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Before travel | Gather US-side documents: birth certificate, divorce decree (if applicable). Optionally obtain a Nepal visa in advance from the Nepal Embassy in Washington DC, New York, or Los Angeles — or get visa on arrival | 1–2 weeks |
| Day 1–2 | Arrive in Nepal. Visit the US Embassy Kathmandu (Maharajgunj) for the Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry. Same-day processing | 1 day |
| Days 3–15 | Get affidavit and all documents translated to Nepali and notarised. Obtain Ward Office temporary residence certificate. Arrange two witnesses with valid ID. Meet your lawyer to review the complete file | 12 days |
| Day 16 | File application at District Court. Submit joint petition with all documents. Court clerk reviews and verifies | 1 day |
| Day 17 | Court hearing. Both parties and two witnesses appear before the judge. Both sign the Deed of Consent to Marriage. Judge grants approval | 1 day |
| Day 18–20 | Marriage certificate issued. Begin the authentication chain for use in the United States | 1–3 days |
Total time in Nepal: Plan for 18–22 days. The 15-day residency is non-negotiable.
Marriage Certificate Authentication for Use in the US
Your Nepal marriage certificate must be properly authenticated before USCIS or any US government agency will accept it. Nepal is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so the full legalisation chain is required:
| Step | Action | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified English translation | Licensed translator in Nepal (the certificate is issued in Nepali) |
| 2 | Notarisation | Licensed notary in Nepal |
| 3 | MOFA attestation | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kathmandu |
| 4 | US Embassy authentication | US Embassy Kathmandu — confirms MOFA attestation is genuine |
For notarisation, MOFA attestation, and embassy authentication services, our sister firm handles the complete chain.
Nepal Marriage and US Immigration: CR-1 vs K-1
For American citizens marrying a Nepali national, the marriage has direct implications for US immigration. Understanding the difference between the two main visa pathways is critical:
| Visa Type | CR-1 (Spousal Visa) | K-1 (Fiancé Visa) |
|---|---|---|
| When to apply | After marriage in Nepal | Before marriage — must marry within 90 days of arrival in the US |
| Marriage required? | Yes — must already be legally married | No — marriage happens in the US after the fiancé arrives |
| Nepal certificate needed? | Yes — authenticated certificate is primary evidence | No — but proof of relationship and in-person meeting required |
| Green card on arrival? | Yes — spouse enters the US as a permanent resident | No — must apply for adjustment of status after marrying in the US |
| Processing time | 12–18 months (USCIS I-130 petition) | 8–14 months (USCIS I-129F petition) |
| Work authorisation | Immediate upon arrival | Must wait for EAD after filing adjustment of status |
Our recommendation: If you are already planning to marry in Nepal, the CR-1 spousal visa is usually the better option. Your Nepali spouse enters the US as a permanent resident with immediate work authorisation, avoiding the 90-day marriage deadline and adjustment-of-status paperwork of the K-1 route.
Common Mistakes US Citizens Make
- Expecting a traditional NOC from the US Embassy — the US does not issue NOCs. You get an Affidavit of Eligibility instead. Inform your Nepali lawyer in advance so they can prepare the court for this
- Not bringing a birth certificate — some Americans assume the passport is sufficient. While some courts accept the passport, many require a separate birth certificate
- Filing a K-1 petition when they could have married in Nepal — if both partners are in Nepal together, marrying and filing CR-1 is often faster and simpler than the K-1 fiancé visa route
- Leaving Nepal before authentication is complete — the MOFA and Embassy authentication must be done in Kathmandu. Do not leave until your certificate is fully authenticated
- Not translating the divorce decree — if previously married, your US divorce decree must be translated to Nepali. The court will not accept English-only documents
US citizen planning a court marriage in Nepal? We handle American marriage cases weekly and can guide you from the Embassy affidavit to your authenticated certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. US citizens can legally marry in Nepal through court marriage at the District Court under the Muluki Civil Code 2074. The marriage is recognised by both Nepal and the United States when the certificate is properly authenticated.
No. The US Embassy does not issue a traditional No Objection Certificate. Instead, US citizens obtain an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry — a notarised sworn statement confirming they are legally free to marry. Nepali courts accept this as equivalent to an NOC.
Visit the US Embassy in Kathmandu (Maharajgunj) with your valid US passport and partner's details. The affidavit is typically processed the same day. Schedule an appointment through the Embassy website for American Citizen Services.
Yes, but it is easy to obtain. US citizens can get a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Options include 15-day, 30-day, or 90-day tourist visas. A tourist visa is sufficient for court marriage.
US citizens must complete 15 consecutive days of continuous stay in Nepal before filing the court marriage application. The stay is verified through the passport arrival stamp. Leaving Nepal resets the count.
Yes. USCIS recognises marriages performed in foreign countries as long as the marriage was legally valid in the country where it took place. A properly authenticated Nepal marriage certificate is accepted as evidence for immigration petitions including I-130 and I-129F.
If you marry in Nepal, file the CR-1 spousal visa (I-130 petition). Your Nepali spouse enters the US as a permanent resident with immediate work authorisation. The K-1 fiancé visa is for couples who plan to marry in the US, not those already married abroad.
Valid US passport (6+ months validity), Nepal visa, US Embassy Affidavit of Eligibility, birth certificate, Ward Office temporary residence certificate, 4 passport-size photographs, and a translated summary of US marriage law. If previously married, a translated divorce decree is also required.
Plan for 18–22 days in Nepal. This includes the mandatory 15-day residency period, same-day Embassy affidavit, 1–2 days for court application and hearing, and 1–3 days for marriage certificate issuance and authentication.
Yes. Two American citizens can marry each other in Nepal. Both must independently obtain their own Affidavit of Eligibility from the US Embassy, complete the 15-day residency, and follow the same District Court process.
Yes. A legally valid foreign marriage is recognised across all 50 US states under the Full Faith and Credit principles. The authenticated Nepal marriage certificate serves as proof of marriage for all legal purposes including tax filing, insurance, and immigration.
Yes. You must provide your final divorce decree from the issuing US state court. The decree must be translated to Nepali and notarised before submission to the District Court. The court will verify that the divorce is finalised.
Yes. Nepal is not a Hague Apostille Convention member, so the full legalisation chain is required: certified English translation → notarisation → MOFA attestation → US Embassy authentication. Complete this before leaving Nepal.
Nepal is significantly more affordable than marrying in the United States. Court fees, Embassy affidavit, document translation, notarisation, and legal assistance combined cost a fraction of a US wedding or courthouse marriage. Contact us for an accurate quote.
Yes. After marrying in Nepal, the US citizen files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS. The authenticated Nepal marriage certificate is the primary evidence. Processing takes 12–18 months. The Nepali spouse enters the US as a permanent resident.
Court Marriage in Nepal Pvt. Ltd. is Nepal's first registered law firm for court marriage services. Since 2016, our Nepal Bar Council-registered advocates have helped 2,000+ couples from 50+ countries with marriage registration, document preparation, and legal consultation. Whether you are a Nepali citizen or a foreign national, contact us today for confidential legal assistance.
