Indonesia is a large country with a vast diversity of cultures, spectacular scenery, wildlife, and delicious food. Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Indonesia for British tourists and is a wonderful destination for a wedding as well, provided the planning is carefully done in advance.
But while the setting may be picture-perfect, the process isn’t always simple. Indonesia’s marriage system combines religious and civil requirements, and it often involves detailed paperwork, certified translations, and embassy or consular approvals.
This article outlines the requirements for getting married in Indonesia for foreigners, the documents and procedures required, and guidance on how to obtain translations or legalisations if any are required.
Table of Contents
Can foreigners get married in Indonesia?
Bali is one of the world’s most popular wedding destinations, and the reasons are clear. The island’s beaches, tropical scenery, and rich culture make it an unforgettable place for both small ceremonies and grand celebrations.
Many couples are also drawn to Bali because of its traditions. Balinese weddings often include local rituals and spiritual significance you won’t find elsewhere.
On top of that, marriages in Indonesia are legally recognised abroad if you follow the right steps. This makes Bali not only a beautiful location but also a practical choice if you want your marriage to be valid internationally.
Legal requirements for getting married in Indonesia
Under Law No. 1 of 1974 on Marriage, as amended by Law No. 16 of 2019, marriage in Indonesia is recognised only if it complies with both religious and civil requirements.
Here’s what to know;
Religion-based marriages
Indonesia does not offer a purely civil marriage option. Instead, your marriage must be conducted under one of six recognised religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Confucianism.
This means you and your partner must share the same religion. If not, one partner may need to convert before the marriage can proceed legally.
If you’re a muslim couple, you’ll need to register your marriage with the KUA (Kantor Urusan Agama) or Office of Religious Affairs.
But if you’re a non-muslim couple, you’ll need to first hold a religious ceremony according to your faith, and then register the marriage with the Catatan Sipil (Civil Registry Office).
Civil registration
Regardless of religion, you’ll still need to do a civil registration for your marriage to be legally recognised in Indonesia and abroad. Once registered, you’ll receive an official marriage certificate, which can later be used for visa or residency purposes in other countries.
Religious requirements for marriage in Indonesia
Because Indonesia does not allow civil-only marriages, all legal unions must follow the requirements of one of the country’s six officially recognised religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Confucianism.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how marriage works under each religion:
Islam
Muslim marriages are officiated and registered by the KUA (Office of Religious Affairs).
If you’re marrying a Muslim partner, but you’re not a Muslim, you’ll need to convert to Islam and get a conversion certificate.
Once registered, couples receive a Buku Nikah (Marriage Book), which acts as the legal marriage certificate in Indonesia.
Christianity (Protestant & Catholic)
You will need to undergo pre-marital church counselling.
You may also be required to provide proof of baptism or confirmation.
After the religious ceremony, the marriage must be registered at the Civil Registry Office (Catatan Sipil) to be legally valid.
Hinduism
Hindu ceremonies often require endorsement from a local temple.
Some couples may need to provide caste declarations or religious background documents.
After the ceremony, the marriage must also be registered with the Civil Registry.
Buddhism
Buddhist marriages require validation from a registered temple.
Both partners may need to provide religious ID cards or certification to confirm their Buddhist faith.
As with other religions, the marriage must be registered with the Civil Registry.
Confucianism
Confucian marriages focus heavily on heritage and family records.
You may be asked to provide documentation tracing ancestry and family traditions.
The marriage must also be registered with the Civil Registry Office.
Note: Some couples choose to marry under Nikah Siri, a religious marriage that is not legally registered. While this may be culturally accepted in some communities, Nikah Siri marriages are not recognised by the Indonesian government. This means you will not get a marriage certificate.
foreign-couple-holding-passport
Required documents for getting married in Indonesia
Here’s a list of the documents you’ll need when getting married as a foreigner
Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of marriage. You’ll also need multiple passport-sized photos.
Birth certificate: A certified copy of your birth certificate is required. This document must be translated into Bahasa Indonesia and may need to be legalised or apostilled, depending on your country of origin.
Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) / Certificate of Legal Capacity to Marry: This is one of the most important documents. It confirms that you’re legally free to marry and is usually issued by your home country’s embassy or consulate in Indonesia. Some embassies may require you to book an appointment and bring supporting documents.
Divorce or death certificate (if applicable): If you’ve been previously married, you’ll need a certified and translated copy of your divorce decree or your former spouse’s death certificate.
Religious documentation: Depending on your religion, you may need to provide proof of baptism, conversion, or other religious certifications to satisfy religious authorities before the ceremony.
Note: All foreign-language documents must be translated into Bahasa Indonesia by a sworn translator officially recognised in Indonesia. Some documents may also need to be legalised or apostilled by your embassy and then authenticated by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Translayte offers fast, reliable, certified translations in Indonesia to support your marriage application and ensure your documents are legally valid.
Requirements for the Indonesian partner
If you're planning to marry an Indonesian citizen, your partner will need slightly different documents. Here’s what the Indonesian partner will need:
KTP (Kartu Tanda Penduduk): The national identity card of the Indonesian partner.
Kartu Keluarga (Family card): This is the official household registration document, showing the family composition and address.
Birth certificate: A certified copy of the birth certificate is required. It must be consistent with the information on the KTP and family card.
Religious proof: Depending on religion, this could include a baptism certificate, a letter from a mosque, or another statement from a recognised religious authority confirming the person’s religious affiliation.
Divorce or death certificate (if applicable): If previously married, a copy of the divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate must be included to prove eligibility for remarriage.
Document legalisation and translation process
For your marriage in Indonesia to be official, your documents need to be legally valid for use in Indonesia. This means your documents must go through a legalisation process in your home country, followed by a certified translation into Bahasa Indonesia, and then final validation by Indonesian authorities.
Apostille vs consular legalisation: what’s the difference?
The legalisation route depends on whether your country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention:
If your country is a member of the Hague Convention, you’ll need an apostille certificate issued by the competent authority in your country. However, Indonesia is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so an apostille is not valid for use in Indonesia. You will need Embassy or Consular legalisation in Indonesia.
If your country is not a member of the Hague Convention, your documents must go through consular legalisation. This means Legalisation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your country and Authentication by the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.
couple-holding-hands
Certified translation into Bahasa Indonesia
Once your documents are legalised, they must be translated into Bahasa Indonesia by a sworn translator recognised by the Indonesian government.
Translations done abroad or by uncertified translators may be rejected, even if accurate. To avoid this, it’s best to work with a trusted provider who understands Indonesian translation requirements.
Translayte makes it easy. We offer certified translations accepted by Indonesian authorities and can assist with the legalisation process.
Final validation in Indonesia
After translation, your documents will require final verification by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. After these steps, your documents are legally valid for your marriage application and can be used to register your marriage with the KUA or Civil Registry.
How to get married in Indonesia: Step-by-step process
Here’s a step-by-step guide to follow through;
1. Notify the local registrar
You’ll need to notify the local marriage registrar at least 10 working days before the ceremony. This is done at the KUA (Office of Religious Affairs) for Muslim marriages or the Civil Registry Office (Catatan Sipil) for non-Muslim marriages
2. Submit all required documents
Both the foreign and Indonesian partners must submit the necessary paperwork. Make sure all documents are consistent and up to date to avoid delays. Remember to include your certified document translations when submitting your document.
3. Hold the religious ceremony
The marriage must be performed according to the couple’s shared religion. Muslim couples will marry at the KUA, often with an imam officiating. While Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or Confucian couples will marry in a church or temple, with a recognised religious official presiding.
4. Civil registration (non-Muslims only)
After the religious ceremony, non-Muslim couples must register their marriage with the Civil Registry Office to ensure legal recognition. Muslim couples do not need to do this step separately; the KUA handles both the religious and civil aspects.
5. Receive your marriage certificate
Once registered, you'll receive a Buku Nikah (Marriage Book) for Muslim couples or an Akte Perkawinan (Marriage Certificate) for non-Muslim couples.
married-couple-in-indonesia
Interfaith marriage rules in Indonesia
Indonesia’s marriage laws are strict when it comes to religion. Under Law No. 1 of 1974, a marriage can only be legally recognised if both parties share the same religion. As a result, interfaith marriages are not officially permitted unless one partner converts.
To avoid converting, you and your partner can choose to marry outside Indonesia, in a country that allows interfaith marriages, such as Switzerland, Italy, or Australia.
How Translayte can help
Translayte provides certified translations that are officially recognised in Indonesia and trusted worldwide.
Our process is fast, easy to order, and backed by a 100% acceptance guarantee. Whether you need a birth certificate, certificate of no impediment, divorce decree, or name change document, we ensure everything is translated and formatted correctly the first time.
We also guide you through the apostille and legalisation process, making sure your documents meet the exact requirements of Indonesian registrars, embassies, and religious authorities.
Wherever you are, Translayte helps you get your marriage documents ready quickly and without stress.
