Register an intended marriage or registered partnership if 1 partner lives abroad

Would you like to get married or enter into a partnership in The Hague? Does 1 partner live abroad? Then you first need to inform the municipality. This used to be called a ‘notice of intent to marry’ (in ondertrouw gaan).

Conditions

  • At least 1 partner is registered in the Netherlands.
  • Both partners must be at least 18 years to marry or enter into a registered partnership in the Netherlands.
  • You must inform the municipality a minimum of 8 weeks before the date of the ceremony.
  • Your registration of intent is valid for 1 year. Are you getting married after 1 year? Then you must register your intent again.
  • Family members are forbidden to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other. There are exceptions to this rule.
  • Are you under guardianship? You will first need the permission of the guardian or the limited jurisdiction judge.
  • You can register your intent to marry in any municipality in the Netherlands. It is most practical to do this in the municipality in which you wish to marry or enter into a partnership.

Needed to register your intent

  • a copy of a valid form of identification for you and your partner
  • a copy of a valid form of identification for the witnesses (a minimum of 2 witnesses and a maximum of 4 witnesses)

After you register your intent you will hear which documents you still need to send.

Belangrijke informatie: You can make a safe copy of your identity document with your mobile telephone or tablet using the KopieID app. Read more on the website of the Dutch government.

    Register your intent

    Go through Steps 1 to 4 below.

      • Send an email to trouwen@denhaag.nl. Indicate in your email that you want to get married or enter a registered partnership.

      • Include in your email:

        • both your name and your partner's name
        • the citizenship(s) (nationality or nationalities) of you and your partner
        • the place(s) of residence for you and your partner
      • The municipality will send you a form. You can use this form to register your intended marriage or registered partnership.

    • Send the completed form back by email to trouwen@denhaag.nl. Include the following:

      • a copy of your valid form of identification
      • a copy of the valid form of identification for your partner
      • a copy of the valid form of identification for your witnesses

    • You will get an email stating which documents you should send. These documents may not be older than 6 months. Depending upon the issuing country, they may first need to be translated or legalised. Read more about the legalisation of foreign documents on the website of the Dutch government.

    • The municipality will send you an email. You can then indicate the preferred date, time and location for your marriage or registered partnership.

    Fees

    Registering your intent is free. 

    Do you want to reschedule or cancel your wedding? In certain cases you will have to pay to do this. Read more under Getting married in The Hague: locations and fees.

    How long does it take?

    You will get a response to your 1st email within 1 week.

    Because you still need to send additional documents afterwards, the entire process can take a long time. Keep this in mind.