Nothing is more important than the fact that marriage is a lifetime commitment between two people and it is the beginning of the family. When a man and woman get married, they are no longer two people, but one family.
Marriage is the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship by law. But before you start the newlywed life, you must complete the registration of marriage in order to legally get married in Singapore.
Legal Provision
As mentioned in the ROM’s website, there are a few requirements that both the bride and the groom must fulfill:
- You and your future spouse should be at least 21 years old. If one of you is between 18 and 21 years old, you are required to obtain consent from either a parent or a legal guardian. Whereas minors below 18 years old must be granted a Special Marriage Licence by the Minister for Social and Family Development.
- Both of you must also freely consent to the marriage. In other words, if either of you has been married before, you will need to show proof of divorce and sometimes some additional paperwork might be required.
- If either of you are not a Singapore Citizen or a Permanent Resident(PR), at least one of you must be physically present in Singapore for at least 15 days before filing a notice to get married. Depending on the conditions of your visit or work pass to Singapore, there may also be an extra step which involves getting approval for the marriage from the Ministry of Manpower to consider.
If you choose to solemnise your marriage at the ROM itself, you can choose a slot for solemnisation based on the availability of the booking schedule, on a first-come-first-serve basis.
However, if you are not planning to marry at the ROM instead, you are free to choose your own date, time and venue for your solemnisation. You will need to engage a solemniser and arrangements with your solemniser by following these steps:
- Confirm the date, time and venue for the solemnisation.
- Choose an appropriate solemniser from the ROM’s list of licensed solemnisers.
- Contact the solemniser, confirm their availability.
- Meet your solemniser, obtain their signed consent to solemnise your wedding.
Filing Notice of Marriage Online
Filing notice of marriage can be done online at ROM’s website www.rom.gov.sg, at e-kiosks at the ROM itself, or at any CitizenConnect Centres. ks at the ROM itself, or at any CitizenConnect Centres.
You should file your notice of marriage between 21 days to 3 months before your wedding date. For example,if you file your notice of marriage on the 1st Mar, then you can choose a wedding date between 21st Mar to 1st Jun.
Therefore, you will need to prepare Identification documents of the bride, groom and 2 witnesses (i.e. the NRICs for Singapore Citizens or PRs, or passports for foreigners). A completed Solemniser Consent Form for those solemnising their marriage outside the ROM.
Don’t forget your credit card for online payment of fees of S$42 for marriages involving at least one Singapore Citizen or PR, or S$380 if both parties are foreigners. Payment can also be made via NETS or CashCard at internet kiosks in the ROM.
Go to ROM Verify Documents and Statutory Declaration (VD / SD)
The appointment date and time for the VD/SD appointment at the ROM is stated in the Summary of Notice of Marriage. Do remember to check the Summary of Notice of Marriage for the documents you are required to bring along for the appointment. You and your future spouse should bring documents such as your NRICs and passports, your solemniser’s signed consent form and any other copies or originals which the ROM has requested.
In the meantime,the ROM will verify your documents and ask you to make a statutory declaration concerning your intent to get married.
Proceed to Solemnisation
Now comes to the final procedures of registering your marriage. Do remember to bring the necessary documents, the solemnisation can’t be carried out without documents as below:
- NRICs or passports of you and your future spouse
- Remind 2 witnesses to bring their NRICS or passports
- The marriage licence and certificates if the solemnisation is at a venue outside of the ROM.
During the ceremony, the solemniser, you and your future spouse will sign on the Certificates of Marriage. After that, your wedding solemnisation ceremony is completed, and your marriage will be recognised as valid in Singapore. Congratulations! The time has come for you to start planning the perfect wedding, check out our article 7 tips for how to start planning your wedding and get more ideas and tips on wedding guest list and seating planning.
