Registering a marriage in Malaysia for Malaysians is not difficult. However, it can become slightly more complex for Malaysians marrying foreigners. If you are marrying a foreigner, don’t worry, because it can still be easily done at Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) or by private civil marriage registrars. Read on for a guide for marriage registration for Malaysians marrying foreigners.
Marriage Registration Procedures at JPN For Malaysians Marrying Foreigners
Declaration of the foreign partner’s marital status (single, divorced, widow/widower) has to be made and attested at a notary public. Ensure at least two original copies are attested for submission to the relevant authorities.
Apply for a single status letter from the relevant High Commission or Embassy in Malaysia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia (Wisma Putra) with the attested declaration. If the letter is not in English, a translated version will be required for submission to JPN. If the foreign partner is from China (Taiwan), Indonesia, India (Sri Lanka), Phillipines, Myanmar, Vietnam or Thailand, an additional approval letter from the Marriage/Divorce Division of JPN is required before the relevant documents can be submitted for the registration of marriage.
Documents Required For Marriage Registration To Foreigners In Malaysia
The bride and groom to be are required to submit the following documents at JPN if they are registering their marriage there:
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Malaysian’s IC
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Foreign citizen’s passport
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Photostat copy of foreigner’s passport for the first page (where most of the particulars are) and most recent entry stamp into Malaysia
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Single status letter with endorsement from Wisma Putra
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Single status declaration from Notary Public
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1 passport size photo each (background has to be blue)
Cost Of Registering A Marriage To A Foreigner In Malaysia
If you are registering your marriage with JPN, the cost is RM30 which is similar to the fee locals pay. However, you will have to incur additional notary and other charges for the marital status attestation and letter by the Embassy. Endorsement of the letter by Wisma Putra is RM20.
Other Conditions For Malaysians Marrying Foreigners
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The foreign partner must reside in Malaysia at least 7 days before application of marriage.
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The marriage application can be made with a minimum of 21 days and a maximum of 6 months before the registration ceremony.
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During the 21 days, the foreign citizen is allowed to leave and enter the country before the ceremony is performed.
Many modern marriages today cross cultural and geographical boundaries as the world becomes a smaller place. Hence, it is great to know how easy and fast the process is for Malaysians who are marrying a foreigner in Malaysia.
With Love,
Elle
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Hi Julia,
I chance upon your website when I was surfing the net for “Declaration of Marital Status (single)”. My boyfriend is from Malaysia (Pontian) and I am from Indonesia. As we need to register our marriage in Indonesia, he will need to have the Declaration of Letter to prove that he is single but I have asked the Malaysian High Commision in Singapore and they said that they can’t provide this letter. Can you please advice me what my boyfriend should do and what documentation that he need to prepare? Must we personally go to KL to get this letter?
Thank you so much and hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Lina – Thanks for your query. It will be best for your boyfriend to check back in KL with the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara to ensure you have all the administrative details done properly.
Hi, i’m wondering can the registration be done at private places…eg. outdoor like garden?
looking for the marriage which is different from the typical style..
thanks.
Hi Joanne – Yes, you can do your registration in private places. All you need is a private registrar which will cost slightly more than doing it in JPJ (around RM200 to RM300).
Dear Elle, thank you very much for your information. It is very helpful. Meanwhile, may I have the contact for the private regsitrar if it’s available? I would like to enquire about their service. I am Malaysian and my fiance is foreigner. We both working abroad. Having an agent to assist us will be ideal. Thanks again!
Hi,
I want to marry a british citizen. he is widow and we plan to marry by this march 2010. what are process and documentation need to marry him
Hi Elle,
My bf and i are planning to marry in dec. when do u think is the right time for us to apply for marriage? can we apply it in june? will there be any possible delays in the application?
Hi there,
thanks for the tips
i would like to know whats the difference between
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Single status letter with endorsement from Wisma Putra
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Single status declaration from Notary Public
My fiance is from UK…. and we hope to apply for our marriage through JPN at Maju Junction without going to PutraJaya. Is that possible?
regards, Jeamie
Hai..My boyfriend is from nepal but he is and divorcee(im an malaysian).We plan to get maried soon in nepal or malaysia.
a)How is the procuder to get maried in malaysia?
b)Is that will be any problem i maried an foreign?
c)Is that will be any problem if we start any business in malaysia
after maried?
d)Is that can be if i maried in nepal and register in malaysia?
e) Is that will be any problem once we get maried and stay in malaysia ?
f) Is that my hubby can get malaysian citizen ship once we get maried?
Can u help to give me such infomation??
thank u
regards,
lalitha
Hi Elle
I am a Malaysian-muslim and my boyfriend is a newly-converted muslim and a New Zealand citizen. I found your website while browsing around for info on “Malaysian marrying foreigners”. Being muslims, is there any other required documents other than the ones you’ve mentioned above? Really appreciate your assistance… thanks!!
Hi, i am from middle east. i want to marry a malay girl. i am muslem. I want to know if i am given work permit after marriage and if i am given malaysian permanent residence and citizenship? what are the procedures? thank you. My first language is arabic. my second language is english.
thank you for your good work .please how much will it cos two foreigners to do court marriage in Malaysia? i am a Nigerian and my partner is from Australia.and i will also be happy if u can help me with the guide line of the important documents i need to collect after the marriage.
thank your for your assistance and have a nice day.
yours faithfully
Alex Snow
hi Elle,
hi, in my case i am a Malaysian but my boy is from India..he is a divorce man..but his previous marriage was in India and divorce were in america because he is a PR there..so how is the procedure in Malaysia…is tat OK if he submit the american’s divorce certificate to JPN..and do they mention that he is a divorce man during our register day..thank you….
Elle, hi! I am a Malaysian, and planning to marry my girlfriend whom is a Chinese citizen. We would like to register for the marriage in Malaysia. As such, will you be able to provide my some information and advice, on what’s the procedure, and what are the relevant documents for her bring along to Malaysia. Thank you.
Hi Jerry, I’ve dropped you a mail
Hi Naas, I’ve dropped you a mail!
Hi Alex, I’ve dropped you a mail
Hi Alia, I’ve dropped you a mail. Hope it helps!
Hi Shakira, I would recommend that you check with JPN as muslims have a different set of documents required.
Hi Lalitha, please go to http://www.jpn.gov.my to find out more about the documents you need for marrying a foreigner.
Hi Jeamie, I think the single status letter endorsed by Wisma Putra is just a signature from a Wisma Putra representative on the letter prepared by the foreigner’s embassy. The letter signed by the Notary Public will have the additional attestation by the Notary Public to confirm the single status. Hope it helps. Congratulations
Hi Fifi, yes June should be okay.
Hi Hemalactha, do hop over to http://www.jpn.gov.my to read more about the process and documentation required.
Hi B, glad you found it useful. I don’t have any private registrar’s details but you might find some googling up for it