An all-time favourite destination for couples wanting to combine their wedding with a honeymoon, Bali is the perfect spot to say 'I do' – and the ideal destination for that long dreamt of beach wedding in Asia!
Steeped in history and tradition, Bali provides a magical backdrop of beautiful temples, lush tropical forests, verdant rice terraces and stunning beaches, which offer a great choice of wedding venues.
Bali is subject to Indonesian law, which requires that you have both a religious and civil ceremony.
The religious ceremony and the legal ceremony must be held at the same location on the same day. Your wedding ceremony will be attended by both a representative from your religion and from the Indonesian Civil Registry Office (Kantor Catatan Sipil).
Both wedding partners must 'declare' the same religion to the Office of Religious Affairs before the ceremony. The following religions are recognised in Indonesia: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian (Protestant and Catholic) faiths.
You must first register a Notice of Intent to Marry at the Civil Registration Office (Kantor Catatan Sipil) in the area where you wish to marry and at the same time present your Certificate of Non-Impediment. This document is usually obtained from your consulate or your embassy in Bali.
Following the ceremony, a non-Islamic marriage must be registered with the Civil Registry Office otherwise it is not legal.
There is no minimum residency requirement to get married in Bali. However, you should arrive in Bali at least two full working days prior to your ceremony to ensure enough time for your legal paperwork to be official.
To avoid the 10 day mandatory waiting period after registering your Notice of Intention to Marry you need to present your hotel guest registration form to the Civil Registry Office.
Ensure that all documents are in your legal name, and provide affidavits in cases where you are known by another name.
All documents – originals or certified copies – must be translated into Bahasa Indonesia. Contact the Indonesian embassy or consulate in your home country for an official translation, or your embassy or consulate in Bali.
Documents required for a legal wedding in Bali, include…
Check with your own consulate well in advance as procedures and paperwork and fees may vary according to nationality.
Religious ceremonies under Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian-Protestant faith may be held in a venue of your choice, such as a private home, the garden of a villa or resort, in a purpose built wedding venue or on a private each. Any venue is fine, except Balinese temples.
It’s not possible to be married in a Balinese/Hindu Temple (unless you’re of that faith).
If you intend to marry under Catholic faith, you are required to do so in a Catholic church in Bali, but your reception can be anywhere.
Some religious faiths may require additional documents for a church service. Couples are advised to contact their respective clergy as early as possible to determine what is required for their particular religion.
Couples of the Roman Catholic faith should allow at least three months before the wedding date in order to process all the necessary paperwork (certificates of baptism, dispensations, statements of freedom to marry, etc.).
Muslim weddings do not require a Civil Ceremony as the representative of the Kantor Urusan Agama (or Office of Muslim Religious Affairs) will issue the Buku Nikah or Marriage Book, which is considered legal in Indonesia.
After the wedding ceremony, you will receive a marriage certificate and a civil wedding certificate in the Indonesian language – usually on the same or following day. You can have your certificate translated by a sworn and authorised English translator in Bali or back home at the Indonesian embassy.
Certificate of No Impediment – AUD$110 (payable in Rupia)
Couples may also choose to get legally married in their home country and have a non-legally binding blessing ceremony in Bali.
The advantage of this type of ceremony is that you can have it in any location of your choice, taking advantage of the many beautiful wedding venues that Bali has on offer.
In doing so, you do not need to worry about the legal requirements. For this kind of ceremony, you do not need any papers, and no authorities are involved. Such kind of Bali weddings are usually performed by a celebrant
A Puri wedding offers the opportunity for couples to take their wedding vows in a traditional Balinese setting usually within the compound of a Balinese nobleman.
Imagine celebrating your wedding dressed in ceremonial Balinese costumes, taking your vows on a decorated wedding pavilion, surrounded by a high caste Balinese family and local Balinese villagers; then receiving offerings before watching a Balinese procession with traditional music and local dances performed just for you – a magical, unforfgettable experience.
European Union citizens (except the United Kingdom and Ireland) may need to have their Marriage Certificate apostilled (or authenticated).
This does not apply to citizens of United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Citizens of Asian countries, South and Central America should check with their Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer as to whether an Apostille is required for your country.
A special stamp (Apostille) is required to validate the marriage certificate obtained after the civil ceremony for certain nationalities. Your wedding planner can assist you in obtaining the Apostille, if required.
Most hotels in Bali can provide wedding planners who can insure that the entire process of getting married in Bali, including fulfilling all legal requirements, is stress free.
For more information about wedding planning and venues in Bali, visit Global Weddings – an excellent resource to getting married in Bali (among other destinations).
Please note: while accurate at time of publication this information is for guidance purposes only and liable to change without notice. Please check with your wedding planner at your resort of choice or the relevant embassy of the country in which you intend to marry for up-to-date details before your wedding.
Latest update: How to get married in Bali: 28 May, 2022
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