Applying for a certificate of legal capacity to marry in Iraq
Are you a Dutch national living in Iraq and you need a certificate of legal capacity to marry? If you have never lived in the Netherlands and wish to marry in Iraq, you can get this document by applying in person at the Dutch consulate-general in Erbil. The Dutch embassy in Bagdad does not issue this certificate.
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
- proof of divorce (divorce certificate or court judgment)
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
You must make an appointment with the consulate general in Erbil. Make an appointment by emailing:erb-ca@minbuza.nl
In your email you should state:
- the type of certificate you need (in the subject line)
- your initials and surname (in the subject line)
- your phone number
- why you need the certificate. The purpose of the certificate will be listed on the certificate itself.
Step 3: Pay the fee
A consular statement costs €30. You pay the costs during your appointment.
Read the overview of consular fees to see how you can pay.
Step 4: Receive the certificate
In most cases, you’ll receive the certificate on the same day as your appointment. If this is not possible, a staff member will inform you when you can collect the certificate.
The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
You will receive a multilingual standard form in Dutch, English, French and German. On the back of the form there will be an explanatory note in Spanish, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Turkish. If you need the certificate in another language, you will need to have it translated by a sworn translator. Ask the organisation requesting the certificate whether you need to have the certificate and/or the translation legalised.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.