Marriage Registration in Nepal
Marriage registration in Nepal is a legal procedure that formalizes a traditional marriage, making it binding and valid in the eyes of the law. It also serves as an essential document to ascertain a couple's marital status, offering legal protection to both parties.
Section 67 to Section 84 of the National Civil Code, 2017 governs the registration of marriage in Nepal.These provisions define the criteria for valid, void, and voidable marriage in Nepal.
In the context of Nepal, traditional marriage remains the most common form of marriage followed by court marriage which requires registration.
This article outlines the concept of marriage registration in Nepal , its benefits and process, and the best method to choose law firms or lawyers to register your marriage. It also provides overview of costs and fees of marriage registration in Nepal.
Legal requirements for marriage registration
Nepal has several legal requirements for Marriage Registration which are also provisioned in the National Civil Code.
Age
Both parties must have completed at least 20 years of age for marriage pursuant to the prevailing laws of Nepal.
Consent
Marriage is considered a voluntary union between two parties. Therefore, both parties must have freely consented to the marriage for it to be valid. The consent of a minor for a marriage isn’t considered actual or valid consent.
Unmarried
Both the individuals in the marriage must be singleat the time of marriage. If either party is already married, they must have obtained divorce prior to concluding another marriage. Otherwise, the marriage is considered to be void.
No Incest
In Nepal, incest marriage, which involves marrying a close-blood relative, is considered a crimimal offense and is punishable under the National Penal Code.
For a marriage to be successfully registered, these specific requirements must be met.
Benefits of Marriage Registration
Marriage registration offers benefits to couples which consist of social security benefits, tax exemption, personal security, and much more.
Legal Recognition
It establishes the legal status of the marriage where both parties are protected and rights are ensured as per law.
Inheritance
Spouses gain rights of inheritance, allowing them to inherit property and assets upon the death of their partner.
Legal Protection
If conditions of divorce or separation arise, marriage resgistration ensures a fair and legal division of assets, custody, etc.
Other Benefits
Marriage registration in Nepal has social security provisions, immigration benefits making it easier to obtain residency or citizenship.
Process of court marriage registration in Nepal
The process of marriage registration in Nepal is a simple, where the procedure must be followed according to prevailing laws of Nepal.
Eligibility criteria for marriage
First, you must be eligible for marriage pursuant to the prevailing laws of Nepal.
Submit marriage registration application
After that, you must file an application for marriage registration at the relevant district court.
Submit Required Documents
Then, submit all the necessary documents at the District Court such as a photocopy of citizenship certificate of both the parties, a letter of temporary residence from ward and a no objection letter for foreigners.
Final Verification by Judge
Furthermore, the submitted documents are verified by the judge in the District Court.
Certification of Marriage Registration in Nepal
The marriage must be certified by two witnesses after which a certificate of marriage is provided to the couple.
Is a law firm required for marriage registration?
A couple can register their marriage without any law firm or legal assistance. However, if you want to register your marriage in the court, then, we suggest you to receive assistance of a competent law firm or a lawyer acting as your legal aid.
A good law firm can easily ensure all the required procedures are fulfilled for registering court marriage. We can also handle any difficulty related to marriage registration which allows for smooth marriage registration process.
Why choose Lawneeti Associates?
If you are considering a court marriage in Nepal, we would suggest you to work with a competent law firm. Lawneeti Associates is a full-service law firm with a specializing in marriage law. With extensive experience in both marriage registration and court marriages in Nepal, we are well equipped to assist you.
We have accomplished lawyers who have mastered family law and marriage law in Nepal. We also proficiently provide personalized services to our clients. Moreover, we ensure an efficient and expedient marriage registration process that reduces unnecessary delays and stressful legal processes.
Costs of marriage registration
The costs for marriage registration can vary. While the process doesn't require substantial amount of money, you will require money for the marriage ceremony, printing and notarizing necessary documents along with legal services fees.