To get legally married in Bali, you are required to have both a religious and civil ceremony. If you want to have legal wedding in Bali you should follow the rules in Indonesia because Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is subject to Indonesian laws. Every couple whom is considering getting married in Bali must comply with these Laws. In accordance with Indonesian Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): “marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned”.
The couples, who are planning to get married in Bali or other part of Indonesia, are required to declare a religion. Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognized a civil registry office of Indonesia will only able to record marriages from the person with the religion that recognized by Indonesian government. There are 5 religions in Indonesia which recorded by Indonesia Civil Registry Office which are: Moslem, Christian – Protestant, Christian – Catholic, Buddhist and Hindu. Both Bride & Groom must have the same religion. Otherwise one of them should make a written declaration of change of religion
There would be two types of ceremonies: Firstly, you will follow your religious procession according to your respective religion. Secondly, you will undergo a civil ceremony procession. A priest from your religion will lead your religious ceremonies.
The religious ceremony is usually perform first by the religious officer from 5 religions above and should be recorded by the civil registry immediately upon the ceremony. Without the registration by the civil registry these marriages are not legal. The religious ceremony would require additional documentation apart from the existing local legal documents based on its religion.
Requirements and Documents Needed for Legal Wedding
This is very important to highlight even legal marriages on the island of Bali. And also, it is similar rules for other regions in Indonesia. Therefore, each bride and groom must submit important documents for the official wedding ceremony.
- Copies of each passport, which should be valid for at least six (06) months following the date of arrival in Bali
- Valid visas to enter Indonesia – foreign visitors who wish to get legally married in Bali may enter Indonesia as tourists using the tourist visa that is valid for a stay in Indonesia of up to 30 days.
- To fill the booking form, wedding arrangement form and civil form.
- Name and full address of the parents of both parties.
- Birth Certificate (the copy must be legalized by a solicitor or by the individual’s Embassy/ Consulate General in Bali or other regions in Indonesia).
- The original Certificate of No Impediment. A Certificate of Non-Impediment is issued by the local authorities where the individual lives in. It must be issued in his/ her home country (before leaving for Indonesia). Or, they can arrange through their respective Embassy or Consulate General in Bali. And also, they can arrange it in Jakarta (after arriving in Indonesia).
- Letter from both sets of parents/guardians. It must state that there are no objections to the marriage.
- Copy of evidence of parental consent in the form of a sworn affidavit stamped by a Notary Public if either person is under 21 years old.
- Legalized written statements confirming the status of each individual (single/ widow/ widower/ divorcee etc.).
- For widow/widower must present a copy of dead certificate of the former spouse.
- Copy of Divorce Certificate if you have divorced from a former marriage.
- Four 4×6 cm photos, both partners side by side, bride on right-hand side (with no bare shoulders showing) ( it is easy to get these done in Bali )
For civil ceremony, the following basic requirements are required by latest 10-12 weeks prior to wedding date in order to process your marriage certificate by five recognized faith in Indonesia
Balinese Wedding
Balinese Hindu wedding ceremony or Pawiwahan is a sacred wedding ritual and consists of series of ceremonies that should be followed. Couples who want to marry in Full Legal Balinese Hindu ceremony should prepare them to hold Hindu religion by entering Sudi Wadani ceremony and declared in the paper that you intended to hold Hindu religion without force from other party.
Please also aware that Balinese Hindu wedding ceremony is different from Indian Hinduism wedding ceremony. The same like other religious marriage, Hindu marriage needs to be registered at the Civil Office Registry to get legalization.
Bali Blessing Ceremony is a ritual blessing of the Hindu religion for bride and groom. This blessing ceremony is carried out by the procedures of Hindu rituals in Bali. You will wear beautiful Balinese attire with a graceful decoration during this ceremony. The Hindu blessing ceremony is uniquely designed with the great and famous Balinese culture. On the other hand, Balinese offerings with the concept of unification of the universe will be designed to accompany this blessing ceremony. It will be more colors with beautiful decorations such as banner (Umbul-umbul), Bali’s umbrellas, and flower. Hence, it will provide a graceful color in this ceremonial procession. Meanwhile, a Hindu celebrant will lead the Bali Blessing Ceremony.
The document require for Hindu Wedding:
- Copy of Passports
- Copy of Birth certificates
- Copy of decree absolute if divorced
- Widower must present a copy of death certificate of the former spouse (bride).
- Copy of passport two witnesses (we can provide the witnesses if required)
- Permit letter from the related consulate
- Statement letter that bride and groom are intended to get married in Hindu religion and to hold Hindu religion without force from other parties (For Full Legal Wedding in Hindu only)
- 4 (four) pieces of photograph size 4 x 6 side by side in color (the groom should be on the right hand side of the bride).
Buddhist Wedding
Buddhist wedding in Bali is one of religious wedding performed and recognized by Indonesian government. Buddhist Weddings are conducted by a Buddhist Celebrant called a ‘Monk’ and the ceremony can be performed only at the Buddhist temple called Vihara. For legal wedding, the religious certificate will be issued by Buddhist Society, called WALUBI and followed by Civil Ceremony by Civil Office Bali. Buddhist wedding can be performed either in the Buddhist Temple which called “Vihara” or in other respective places like hotel, villas. Most of Balinese wedding couple get married in Buddhist Temple. The ceremony is led by the monk.
The document require for Buddhist Wedding:
- Copy of Passports
- Copy of Birth certificates
- Copy of witness’ Passports. Witness should be non family related
- Widower must present a copy of death certificate of the former spouse.
- Copy of passport of the two witnesses
- 4 Pieces of photograph size 4 x 6 together, the groom in the right side
Moslem Wedding
A Muslim wedding is one of the Legal religious weddings, which is conducted by a Muslim Minister called “Penghulu”. After the ceremony the couple will receive the marriage certificate from the celebrants called “Buku Nikah” that is issued by Muslim Courts called ‘KUA’ (Kantor Urusan Agama) which is already legalized by the government and this certificate will be legal in Indonesia and also in other countries after being translated to the couple’s language at their representative Consulate within Indonesia.
For Muslims, please note that it is not mandatory to have your ceremony in a mosque. But of course, you can also get married in a mosque if you chose to do.
The document require for Moslem Wedding:
- Copy of passport
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of passport of two witnesses which is should be Moslem too
- Copy of death or divorce certificate for widower
- Wali nikah/ Proxy of Bride’s family to lead the ceremony
- 6 pieces of photograph size 2cm x 3cm and 4cm x 3cm (Bride and Groom)
- Letter of No Impediment to marriage from your consulate in Bali/ Indonesia
Christian – Protestant Wedding in Bali
Christian wedding is a religious wedding led by the Christian Celebrant called ‘Pastor’. The easiest wedding ceremony and requirements is the protestant way, it doesn’t require much paperwork. The couple will receive a certificate of Marriage from the Christian Church in Bali and the couple can continue to have the Civil Ceremony to legalize the wedding at the same time and at the same venue, then you will get one more certificate of marriage from Civil Minister both in English and Indonesian and these certificates are will be legal in your country too.
The documents require for Christian – Protestant Ceremony:
- Copy of passport(Bride and Groom)
- Copy of birth certificate (Bride and Groom)
- Copy of decree absolute if divorce
- Widower must present a copy of death certificate of the former spouse.
- Copy of passport of the two witnesses
- 4 Pieces of photograph size 4 x 6 together, the groom in the right side
- Letter of recommendation from the Christian – Protestant church from couple’s country to be addressed to the Sinode Council of Protestant Church Denpasar (Bali), requesting Bali church to bless the wedding.
- If one of the couple is not Protestant, he/she needs to write a statement stating his/her agreement to be blessed in Protestant.