To register for marriage in Nepal, both parties must meet several requirements. The minimum age is 20 years for both males and females. Both parties must consent to the marriage freely. If either person was previously married, they must provide legal proof of divorce or a spouse's death certificate. Both parties must be mentally fit and not related by blood within prohibited degrees. Valid identification documents like citizenship certificates or passports are required.
To obtain a local marriage certificate, visit your local ward office with your spouse and two witnesses. Complete the marriage registration application form and submit it along with required documents including citizenship certificates or passports, passport-sized photographs, and birth certificates if available. Pay the registration fee, and after verification, you'll receive your marriage certificate, typically on the same day or within a few working days.
The standard fee for marriage registration in Nepal is NPR 500 (approximately $4 USD). However, fees may vary slightly depending on the municipality or rural municipality. Always check with your local ward office for the most current fee information. Additional fees may apply for expedited processing or for obtaining extra copies of the certificate.
While Nepal has begun implementing online systems for some government services, complete online marriage registration is not fully operational nationwide. Some municipalities, particularly in Kathmandu Valley, offer partial online services where you can download forms and schedule appointments online. However, both spouses and witnesses must still appear in person at the ward office to complete the registration process.
Marriage registration forms in PDF format are available on the official websites of the Department of National ID and Civil Registration (DoNIDCR) or your local municipality's website. You can download, print, and fill out these forms before visiting the ward office. Alternatively, physical forms are always available at your local ward office.
The ward office is the primary authority for civil registration in Nepal, including marriages. You must register at the ward office where either spouse permanently resides. The ward secretary or designated official verifies documents, witnesses' statements, and processes the application. After approval, the ward office issues the official marriage certificate and maintains records of all registered marriages.
In Kathmandu, the process has been partially digitized. Couples can visit the Kathmandu Metropolitan City's website to download forms, check requirements, and in some cases, submit preliminary information online. However, both parties and witnesses still need to visit the ward office to verify identity, submit original documents, and complete the process. The online system helps reduce waiting time and improves record-keeping.
The standard marriage registration fee is NPR 500. Late registration (after 35 days of marriage) incurs an additional fine of NPR 200. For foreigners, there might be additional verification fees. If you need multiple copies of the certificate, each additional copy costs approximately NPR 300. Some municipalities might charge a nominal service fee for online registration facilities.
While a comprehensive nationwide system is still developing, some municipalities allow certificate verification through their websites. You'll need your registration number and the date of registration. For Kathmandu Metropolitan City, visit their official website and navigate to the civil registration verification section. Enter your details to check the status and validity of your certificate. For other regions, contact your local ward office for verification options.
Marriage registration forms can be found on the Department of National ID and Civil Registration website (donidcr.gov.np) or your specific municipality's website. In Kathmandu, visit the KMC website's civil documentation section. Some NGOs working on civil documentation also provide downloadable forms with instructions. Remember that even when you download the form online, you'll need to submit the completed form in person.