How to Legally Get Married in Bali
Getting married abroad has become easier and easier over the years, and couples with the desire to get married in a country other than their own can do so, and the marriage would be legally binding. Getting married in Bali is no different, and the process is simple and clear, as long as the couples interested have all that would be required of them.
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Those who want to get married in Bali should first confirm if their nation or country has an embassy or consulate in Indonesia. Nationals whose countries do not have consulates or embassies in Indonesia (or Bali) are not eligible for marriage in the country. After the status of the embassy has been confirmed, the couple can proceed to the next prerequisite for marriage in Bali.
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A major requirement for marriage in Bali is that the intending couples belong to the same religion. Religions recognized in Indonesia include Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The couple must practice at least one of these religions, and if they are of different religions, the person converting to the other’s religion must provide a letter that has been legalized by their local government or consulate. The letter proves that the converter is doing so of their free will, without any form of coercion from anyone.
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Once the previously mentioned conditions have been met, the intending couple needs to send some documents to the Bali government. The copies of documents include:
· Valid drivers’ licenses
· Birth certificates
· Photographs of the couple side-by-side (specified sizes of 4 by 6 cm)
· Final divorce papers (for those who are divorced)
· Death certificate (for widows/widowers)
· Certificate of baptism (if unavailable, a baptism ceremony will be performed for you in Bali and the certificate giving to you before the wedding)
· Passports of witnesses to the marriage (witnesses can be provided in Bali if the couple does not have any)
· Letter from the place the couple is staying
· Filled form from the Indonesian Civil Office
· Certificate of No Impediment
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Additional requirements include:
§ For Muslims, a proxy of the bride’s family to lead the ceremony (Wali nikah) has to be provided.
§ For Buddhists, a filled marriage blessing application
§ For Hindus who wish to conduct a full legal Hindu wedding, a letter must be provided to show that the couple are meant to be married in the Hindu religion without any form of coercion from anyone
§ For Roman Catholics, a certificate proving the completion of a marriage course, as well as a delegation letter from the parish church to that in Bali.
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The originals must be seen by the appropriate representatives in the Bali government, and photocopies must be given to the Civil Registry office so as to obtain a Notice of Intention to Marry, and subsequently a marriage license.
All the weddings conducted in Bali are religious weddings, so couples should not go to Bali with the intention to have a civil wedding.
Once all of these requirements have been met, the intending couples are cleared for marriage in Bali. However, information on getting married in Bali can change without notice, so couples should make sure they confirm all details before proceeding with getting married in Bali.
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