Marriage Registration Guide For Malaysians Marrying Foreigners in Malaysia

by Elle on July 9, 2009

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:

Malaysian’s IC
Foreign citizen’s passport
Photostat copy of foreigner’s passport for the first page (where most of the particulars are) and most recent entry stamp into Malaysia
Single status letter with endorsement from Wisma Putra
Single status declaration from Notary Public
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

The foreign partner must reside in Malaysia at least 7 days before application of marriage.
The marriage application can be made with a minimum of 21 days and a maximum of 6 months before the registration ceremony.
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

Tagged as: Marriage, Planning, Registration

Written by Elle

Having planned her own wedding, Elle discovered that it was hard work but ultimately rewarding! This site is a compilation of inspirations tips and ideas she has come across to help you plan YOUR dream wedding.

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Quick And Easy Guide For Malaysians Marrying Foreigners | My Wedding Planning Tips: July 9, 2010 at 9:51 pm

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← Previous Comments

Ken January 19, 2011 at 10:53 pm: Dear Elle,

I am currently working in the UK, and I am planning to marry my taiwanese girlfriend. I will make a trip back to Malaysia, so that we can register on Apr, says 29/4. Must she stays in Malaysia 22/4 or before? As you have mentioned the foreigner must stay in Malaysia 7 days before marriage taken place. But I will not be back to Malaysia before 25/4. Do you think there will be a problem? My home town is in KK, I presume all the procedure can be done there?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Regards
Ken
Ali January 25, 2011 at 7:52 pm: Dear Sir,

I’m male and pakistani national . I want to get marry with Malaysian she is Divocee. If we get marry so can I get citizenship of malaysia
our planning to get marry in this year.

waiting for your response
Thanks
lia February 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm: hello,

I will be registering my marriage in Rome march the 5th. The only document I need from Malaysia now is the marriage status. Can my family member apply for it on my behalf? we will come back to malaysia to register our marriage there in summer.. do i still need to attest?

Thanking you so much in advance.
JESSICA February 20, 2011 at 5:08 am: I AM A USA CITZITEN AND MY BOYFRIEND LIVES IN MALAYSIA BUT IS FROM NIGERIA, AND WE ARE GETTING MARRIED THIS YEAR MAY 2011 AND I NEED TO KNOW THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION I NEED TO BRING TO MALAYSIA TO GET MARRIED THERE. I HAVE BEEN DIVORCE BEFORE ,AND I NEED TO KNOW THE COST OF HAVING A COURT WEDDING IN MALAYSIA .PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF U HAVE THIS INFORMATINS THANKS
Maria March 8, 2011 at 1:54 pm: Hi Elle, so glad to get info from you.
I’m Indonesian Chinese woman is planning to marry with Malaysian Chinese man, he’s from Malacca and currently works in Johore bahru.
we got info that, I have to be in Malaysia at least 7 days before register because foreigner, whether it is the requirements?
Need ur advise about requirements that must follow from prior to registration to get married
davies reynold March 16, 2011 at 2:05 am: am an african,and as a student in malaysia since 2008,and i have been in love with a citizen of malaysia (malay)and i have done my convertion to muslim.i have the certificate of bachelorhood,affidavit of bachelorhood,so what next do i need to have before the marriage can take place and how.i will be happy to read from you soon.
yvonne March 22, 2011 at 5:11 pm: Hi elle, how are you? hope you doing good..i want to get married to a burmese guy in myanmar…please advise me on this matter…looking forward to your soonest reply..thanks a lot
Arun March 28, 2011 at 12:03 pm: Hi was wondering if you can help with our situation.
I am an Indian Citizen currently attached to a MNC company in Singapore. I would like to get married to my girlfriend who is a Malaysian. I am married currently to a girl in India with a kid she has no objections to my second marriage.
How do we go about it? What kind of documentation is needed?
Please do try and help us.
Thanking you in advance.
May March 30, 2011 at 5:56 am: Hi, I am looking for procedures on how to change my name after marriage to a foreigner (new zealander). We are both in NZ and will be registering our marriage in NZ. I know it’s not really connected to your topic. Would you be able to help? Thanks.
Sherly March 31, 2011 at 2:44 pm: Dear Elle,

I m Indonesian, and planning to marry my Malaysian boyfriend. I heard from my fren, that Malaysia Gov will only give me a social visa, and I am not allowed to work in Malaysia. Is it true? how long i could get the permanent resident or citizenship? Thanks

Cheers, Sherly
Jason Ng April 11, 2011 at 6:54 pm: I planning getting married with my girlfriend from Myanmar, but I have going to Myanmar embassy at kuala lumpur and they dun provide us the single status letter say that they government dun provide this letter. They call me going outside of malaysia to married like Singapore…… If this is right way to getting married, pls advice! Thx. Jason
Sha April 20, 2011 at 3:12 pm: Hi..I am muslim girl from Malaysia. My future husband is a non-muslim from India. If we are planning to get marry in India, what is the procedure that should I take?Thanks a lot
Melissa May 23, 2011 at 4:34 pm: Hi Elle,

My boyfriend is from US , he is planning to marry me here and he will be here for about 10 days , and he is first time in malaysia, can we get marry then or how long do it take to apply for marriage ? do he need to come for second time to marry coz of all the doc needed or anything ? im not sure about the procedure for the marriage registration. Please advise.
Rod Riefle May 25, 2011 at 4:49 am: HI Elle, i am American who will be marrying a Malaysian Chinese woman, we are both oblivious to what needs to be done to marry in Malay and she return to me in US. can we marry there as soon as i get there or must we wait? And can she come back with me for 3 months while we wait for the I 120? and how long does it normally take to get the permission to come to states to apply for perm residence? thankyou Elle, Rod and Sin
zaza June 10, 2011 at 3:43 pm: Hi Elle,
im a malaysian-muslim girl,25 years old.i am planning to marry nigerian man,26 years old in this November.But he is not muslim yet. What can he do to marry me?what is the procedure that he must follow?And what is the first thing we can do?
Reshma June 16, 2011 at 3:41 am: Hi,
I am an Indian and married to a(Chinese) Malaysian citizen.We got the mutual Divorce .I got my PR status in Malaysia.Now I would like to marry a Indian national.I am planning to register my marriage in India and Re- Register In Malaysia as well. What is the procedure for the re registration?As a PR can i re register my marriage in Malaysia?Can my spouse will get the dependent visa?
Elle June 20, 2011 at 3:49 pm: Hi Reshma,

I would suggest that you check directly with the JPN Department of Malaysia.
Elle June 20, 2011 at 3:54 pm: Hi Rod – I would suggest that you check with JPN directly. Express registrations can be done but you will need to liaise with them directly.
Elle June 20, 2011 at 3:56 pm: Hi Sha – Suggest that you contact the Indian registrar of marriages there to get the details.
Elle June 20, 2011 at 3:59 pm: Hi Sherly – Please check with JPN directly as they will be the best people to help you
Elle June 20, 2011 at 4:10 pm: Hi May – Perhaps you could try checking with the relevant NZ body on how you can change your name formally
Elle June 20, 2011 at 9:08 pm: Hi Joan – Please contact JPN or visit their website. There should be the relevant information you need there.
Maya June 26, 2011 at 3:28 pm: Hi, im Malaysian hindu. I would like to marry a bangladesh hindu too. So what are procedure to get married to him? I am indian girl so is that have any problem?
Elle June 27, 2011 at 8:47 am: Hi Maya, if you want a civil wedding you can check under my post for Registration to Foreigners. There are quite a few steps your fiance will need to do before you can register your marriage with JPN.
miu July 1, 2011 at 5:19 am: Hi,
i’m wondering ~ist in MALAYSIA can be found Taiwan man married a Malay (Melayu) Lady??????????
zoe July 7, 2011 at 12:44 pm: Dear Elle,
I m a chinese girl from malaysia , but my bf was from iraq and currently staying in Kuala Lumpur. We intend to get married but it is possible for me to get marriage without giving up my nasionality in malaysia.

waiting for ur help and reply
Elle July 14, 2011 at 9:55 am: Hi Zoe – You shouldn’t need to give up your nationality because you are marrying a foreigner.
Anand July 24, 2011 at 11:24 pm: Hi,

I am an indian married and having kids, i am intrested in marrying a malaysian girl in malaysia
what is the procedure for it, kindly help me in this