Applying for a certificate of legal capacity to marry in Ethiopia

Are you a Dutch national living in Ethiopia and you need a certificate of legal capacity to marry? If you have never lived in the Netherlands and wish to marry in Ethiopia, you can apply for the certificate in person (by appointment only) at the Dutch embassy in Addis Ababa.

If you are a Dutch national and live in the Netherlands (or have lived in the Netherlands previously), the step-by-step plan on this page does not apply to you. You can get a certificate of legal capacity to marry (verklaring van huwelijksbevoegdheid) from the Dutch municipality where you live or the last municipality you lived in before you left the Netherlands. Go to the website of the relevant municipality for more information.

Through the steps below, apply for a certificate of legal capacity to marry in person.

Step 1: Gather the documents that you need

To apply for a certificate of legal capacity to marry, you will need to provide a number of other documents. The certificate of legal capacity to marry will also give the details of the person you intend to marry.

Which documents must you and your partner provide?

A valid Dutch passport or Dutch identity card (ID card).

A valid passport or identity card (ID card).

Proof of registration in the municipality where you live, bearing your address.
If this is not available in your country, you can instead provide a bank statement or utility bill from the past month bearing your name and address, or a rental contract bearing your name and address.
An official copy of your birth certificate.
Official proof from a Dutch or foreign government authority stating that you are not married.
This cannot be a self-declaration or a document drawn up by a notary.
If you were previously married or in a registered partnership:
- proof of divorce (divorce certificate or court judgment)
  or
- proof of termination of registered partnership
  or
- a death certificate

You may need to have non-Dutch documents translated and legalised.

Do you have all the required documents? Bring the original documents and a copy of the documents with you to your appointment.

Step 2: Make an appointment

To apply for a certificate at the embassy you need an appointment.

Make an appointment via the online appointment system.

Step 3: Pay the fee

The fee for a consular certificate is €30. You pay the fee when you submit your application.

You can find information on how to pay in the overview of consular fees.

Step 4: Receive the certificate

You will usually receive the statement on the day you submit the application. If this is not possible, discuss with the embassy staff when you can collect the document.

You can collect your documents on the following days and times:

Monday - Thursday: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

You do not need an appointment to collect documents.

Check which days the embassy is closed.

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Also useful

What is a consular certificate?