Marriage Registration for Foreigners

Foreigners can legally marry in Nepal through court marriage under the Civil Code 2017 (2074). Whether you're marrying a Nepali citizen or another foreigner, Court Marriage In Nepal—a registered law firm—provides complete legal services for foreign marriage registration including embassy coordination, document translation, and court representation.

Can Foreigners Marry in Nepal?

Yes. Nepal law explicitly allows foreign nationals to register marriage in Nepal. This includes foreigners marrying Nepali citizens, two foreigners marrying each other in Nepal, NRNs (Non-Resident Nepalis) marrying foreign nationals, and Indian nationals marrying Nepali citizens or other Indians. The marriage certificate issued by Nepal's District Court is a legal document recognized internationally with proper apostille or embassy attestation.

Why Foreigners Choose Nepal for Marriage

Nepal has become a popular destination for foreign marriage registration for several reasons. The legal process is straightforward compared to many countries. There's no lengthy waiting period—once documents are ready, registration can be completed within days. Nepal recognizes marriages regardless of religion, caste, or nationality of the parties involved.

For Indian nationals specifically, Nepal offers geographical proximity, no visa requirement for Indians, and a legal framework that's well-established for cross-border marriages. Many NRIs and Indians facing family opposition to inter-caste or inter-religion marriages choose Nepal for its legally protected court marriage process.

Eligibility Requirements for Foreigners

Foreign nationals must meet the same basic eligibility criteria as Nepali citizens under Civil Code 2017. Both parties must be at least 20 years of age—Nepal's legal marriage age applies regardless of your home country's laws. Both parties must be unmarried or legally divorced from any previous marriages. Both must consent freely to the marriage without coercion.

Additionally, foreigners must be legally present in Nepal with valid visa, able to provide documentation proving single/divorced status from their home country, and willing to fulfill the 15-day residence requirement before filing the marriage application.

Documents Required for Foreign Marriage Registration

Foreign nationals have additional documentation requirements beyond what Nepali citizens need. The critical documents include valid passport with visa—tourist visa is acceptable for marriage registration. You'll need a No-Objection Letter (NOC) from your Embassy or Consulate in Nepal confirming you're legally free to marry and your country has no objection to your marriage in Nepal.

Nepal law requires a notarized Nepali translation of the marriage law from your home country. This document explains legal marriage requirements in your country and confirms your Nepal marriage would be recognized. Your home country may also require a Single Status Certificate or Certificate of No Impediment—we guide you on your specific country's requirements.

You must provide proof of 15-day residence in Nepal from the local Ward Office where you're staying. Passport-sized photographs (typically 4-10 copies) and photocopies of all original documents are also required. If previously married, divorce certificates or spouse death certificates must be provided with notarized Nepali translations.

Embassy No-Objection Letter (NOC)

The Embassy NOC is the most critical document for foreign marriage registration. Different embassies have different procedures, processing times, and requirements for issuing this letter. Some embassies issue NOC within days, others take weeks. Some require appointments, others accept walk-ins.

Our team has established working relationships with major embassies in Kathmandu including US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, China, and others. We guide you through your specific embassy's requirements, help prepare necessary documents for embassy submission, and coordinate to minimize processing delays.

For Indian nationals, the process is different—Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has specific procedures for marriage-related documentation. We have extensive experience with Indian marriage registrations and understand the nuances of India-Nepal cross-border marriage documentation.

15-Day Residence Requirement

Under Nepal law, either the bride or groom must have resided within the jurisdiction of the Marriage Registration Office for minimum 15 days before submitting the marriage application. For foreigners, this means arriving in Nepal at least 15 days before your intended application date.

This residence must be documented through a letter from the local Ward Office confirming your stay. We coordinate with your accommodation provider to obtain supporting documents needed for this verification. This requirement effectively means foreigners should plan for 18-30 days total stay in Nepal for complete marriage registration.

Translation and Notarization

All foreign-language documents must be translated into Nepali by certified translators before court submission. This includes your country's marriage law, any certificates from your home country, and other supporting documents. Machine translations or informal translations are not accepted.

After translation, documents must be notarized by a registered notary public in Nepal. We manage this entire process through our network of certified translators covering English, Hindi, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, and other major languages.

Timeline for Foreign Marriage Registration

The complete timeline for foreigners typically ranges from 18-30 days. This breaks down as: 15 days minimum for residence requirement, 2-7 days for embassy NOC processing (varies by embassy), 2-3 days for translation and notarization, and 3-7 days for court processing and certificate issuance. Proper planning and document preparation before arrival can minimize delays.

International Recognition of Nepal Marriage

Your Nepal marriage certificate is a legal document, but recognition in your home country may require additional steps. Most countries require apostille (for Hague Convention members) or embassy attestation (for non-member countries) on the marriage certificate. Some countries require registration of foreign marriages in their domestic records.

We provide guidance on post-marriage documentation requirements for your specific country and assist with apostille services in Nepal. Understanding these requirements before marriage helps ensure smooth recognition when you return home.

Our Services for Foreigners

We provide comprehensive services tailored to foreign nationals including pre-arrival consultation and document checklist, embassy coordination for NOC, certified translation of all foreign documents, notarization through registered notary publics, 15-day residence documentation assistance, court application and representation, marriage certificate procurement, and apostille assistance for international recognition.

Get Started

Planning to marry in Nepal? Contact us via phone, email, or online form with your nationality, partner's nationality, and expected travel dates. We'll provide a customized document checklist, timeline estimate, and cost quote within 24 hours. Start your journey to legal marriage in Nepal with expert guidance.