Yes, love conquers all. But even the strongest affections can get tripped up by paperwork. Marriage is a sacred union of two lives, sometimes even two extended families, and navigating the legal aspects can feel like a whole other adventure.
Especially if you’re planning a wedding in Indonesia as a foreigner. To help your Indonesian dream wedding go smoothly, here’s a breakdown of the essential preparations for foreign nationals getting married in Indonesia.
Religious Requirements for Marriage in Indonesia
According to the law and way of life in Indonesia, religion plays a significant role. In contrast to many other countries, if you want to get married there, both of you must belong to the same religion which should be one of those recognized by the Indonesian government: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Protestant Christianity, and Catholic.
If the future bride and groom practice different religions, one person has to convert to the other by signing a declaration of change of religion for your marriage to take place. Your wedding can be officiated by Ministers of Religion, officers of the Kantor Catatan Sipil or the Kantor Urusan Agama (Office of Religious Affairs).
Anyone intending to marry is obliged to notify their intention in writing or orally to the local marriage registrar no later than 10 working days before the wedding takes place. It’s important to keep them in the loop so everything goes smoothly.
Each religion has different requirements, so the Indonesian fiance needs to be in contact with their religious body to find out what those requirements are. Legally married in Indonesia requires a religious ceremony.
Marriage Requirements for Foreign Nationals in Indonesia
For Indonesian citizens, preparing documents prior to the wedding is relatively short and straightforward due to the less stringent requirements. Foreign nationals will face a more complex set of requirements and a longer preparation period as they need to gather various documents from their country of origin and country of residence. These requirements include:
* CNI (Certificate of No Impediment). This document declares that the individual is eligible to marry and intends to marry an Indonesian citizen. It is issued by the authorized authority in their home country, such as their embassy.
* Photocopy of the identity card of the foreign spouse
* Photocopy of passport
* Photocopy of birth certificate
* Certificate of single status
* Divorce decree if previously married
* Death certificate if previous spouse is deceased
* Certificate of current domicile
* Passport photos
* For marriages at the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA/Kantor Urusan Agama), a certificate of conversion to Islam must be submitted if the individual was previously non-Muslim.
All of those documents must be translated into Indonesian by a certified translator. Then they must be legalized by the Embassy of the foreign national’s country in Indonesia.
Spousal Visa after Married in Indonesia
Once legally married to Indonesian citizens, foreign nationals can apply for spousal KITAS (Limited Stay Permit Code: E31A) for a stay permit. Especially if they are still using Visa On Arrival (VOA) and wish to stay in Indonesia for an extended period. This is because VOA can only be extended once for 30 days and cannot be converted to another status. Spousal KITAS valid for 1 year and cannot be used as a working permit. After 2 years of marriage, spousal KITAS can be converted to KITAP/Permanent Stay Permit.
A legally registered marriage in Indonesia will make it easier for the foreign spouse to get a visa and stay permit. Without legal proof of marriage, they might not be able to get a visa, work permit, or family reunification permit. A traditional Muslim marriage ceremony called “Nikah Siri” in Indonesia might not be recognized as a legal marriage by most governments. This means that if you have a Nikah Siri ceremony and then try to get a spousal visa, you probably won’t be considered married for visa purposes.
Plan Your Indonesian Wedding
Planning a wedding is always an exciting adventure, but preparing the paperwork and legal matters can be time-consuming. Seven Stones Indonesia is ready to be both the best man and the bridesmaid to assist you. From understanding religious requirements to securing the right visa, our experienced team will guide you through every step in navigating the legalities of marriage. See our contact below and reach out to us today. Let’s start your dream journey happily ever after.
