Step-by-Step Guide to Court Marriage in Nepal 2025 Updated Process
Are you planning to get legally married in Nepal? Whether you are a Nepali citizen or a foreign national, understanding the Court Marriage Process in Nepal can save you time, money, and legal headaches.
In this guide, we break down the exact steps, costs, and documents required to get your Marriage Certificate from the District Court under the National Civil Code 2074.
Eligibility: Who Can Get Married?
Before you start the application, you must meet these legal requirements:
- Age: Both bride and groom must be at least 20 years old.
- Consent: Both parties must agree to the marriage (No forced marriage).
- Single Status: You must be unmarried, divorced, or widowed. (You cannot have an existing spouse).
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
The District Court is very strict about paperwork. Missing one document can delay your marriage by days.
For Nepali Citizens:
- Original Citizenship Certificate (Nagarikta) + Notarized Copy.
- Unmarried Certificate (Avibahit Pramanpatra) from your local Ward Office.
- Passport-sized photos (4 copies each).
- Temporary Stay Letter (Asthai Basobas) if you live in Kathmandu but your citizenship is from another district.
For Foreigners:
- Original Passport + Visa (Tourist visa is accepted).
- No Objection Letter (NOC) from your Embassy in Nepal.
- Arrival Stamp showing you have been in Nepal for at least 15 days.
Step 2: File the Application at District Court
Once your documents are ready, you must visit the District Court (Jilla Adalat). In Kathmandu, the court is located in Babarmahal.
You will fill out a formal application proposing marriage. The court registrar will verify your documents. If everything is correct, they will schedule your marriage date.
Step 3: The Waiting Period
- Nepali + Nepali: Usually, the process takes 2 days. You file on Day 1 and get the certificate on Day 2.
- Foreigner + Nepali: It may take longer depending on how fast your Embassy issues the NOC letter.
Step 4: The Marriage Ceremony
On the scheduled date, you must appear in front of the District Judge.
- You need two witnesses (one for the bride, one for the groom). They must bring their original citizenship.
- The Judge will ask if you consent to the marriage.
- Once you say "Yes," you will sign the official marriage register.
Congratulations! You will receive your Marriage Certificate immediately. This certificate is written in Nepali. If you plan to go abroad (USA, Australia, Japan), you must get it translated and notarized.
Total Cost of Court Marriage
The government court fee is minimal (approx NPR 500). However, the total cost involves Notary fees, Translation fees, and Lawyer fees to draft the legal application. Depending on the complexity, it typically ranges from NPR 15,000 to NPR 50,000.
Need Help?
The court process can be confusing. One small mistake in the "Unmarried Certificate" spelling can cause rejection.
At Court Marriage Nepal, we handle everything for you—from drafting the application to arranging witnesses.