Unmarried partnership

Would you like to confirm your love for each other and in the eyes of the law without getting married? Then you can choose to have a registered partnership.

What is it?

By registering your partnership you are making it official by law. Unmarried partnerships have almost the same rights as married partners. The only difference is when it comes to children, as the law does not automatically see both registered partners as the parent of a child. This means that one of the partners has to acknowledge or adopt the child.

Please note: Not all countries recognise registered partnerships.

How does it work?

In the Netherlands, you get married with community property by default. This means that you jointly own all your possessions with your husband or wife. Would you prefer to specify marital conditions? Then you can have a civil law notary draw up a marriage contract.

What are the conditions?

If you plan to register your partnership, you first need to register this intention. We call this registering an unmarried partnership. It is similar to a notice of intent to marry.

For whom is it intended?

Any adult may enter into registered partnership. People of the same sex may also register as each other’s partner.

What will I need?

You can read all about it under Register an unmarried partnership.

How much will it cost?

• € 11.80 for a partnership booklet and € 27.15 for a booklet with a more luxurious cover.
• One-time appointment at the registrar: € 154.15.
• Wedding hall: for rates see the website of Ons Haagse Huwelijk.

• Various documents for registering an unmarried partnership. The costs are specific to each situation.

How do I apply/What do I need to do?

You can apply for registered partnership by submitting your notice of intent. You need to do this at least two weeks before the intended date of the partnership registration. You need to make an appointment for this in person at one of the sub-municipal offices. Or online via the website of Ons Haagse Huwelijk.

See also

• Register an unmarried partnership
• Certificate of unmarried partnership
  
• Documents from the registry of births, deaths and marriages - copy or extract
• Municipal wedding locations in The Hague