What do I need to arrange if I want to marry in Niger?
If you are a Dutch national planning to marry in Niger, you will need to provide certain documents. And you may need to meet extra requirements.
Can I get married in Niger?
Ask the organisation that you want to perform the marriage in Niger if you are allowed to marry there as a Dutch national.
Same-sex couples cannot get married in Niger.
You cannot get married at the Dutch embassy.
Requirements for getting married for Dutch nationals
If you are a Dutch national and you want to marry, you must meet the following requirements:
- You and your partner must be 18 or older. If you are under 18 and you marry abroad, the Dutch authorities will not recognise your marriage until you and your partner are both 18.
- You and your partner must not already be married to or have a registered partnership with someone else.
- If you are under guardianship, you will need the permission of your guardian or of the limited jurisdiction judge (‘kantonrechter’).
- The following family members are not allowed to marry each other or enter into a registered partnership with each other: parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters.
What documents do I need to marry in Niger?
To get married in Niger you will need the following documents:
You can get an official copy of your birth certificate from the municipality where you were born. You must have this document legalised at a notary’s office in Niger.
To get married in Niger you will need a legalised photocopy of proof of nationality. You must have the photocopy legalised at a notary’s office in Niger.
To get married in Niger you will need a legalised photocopy of your witnesses’ identity documents. You will need a photocopy of:
- the identity document of your own witness
- the identity document of your partner’s witness.
To get married in Niger you will need a certificate of residence. You can get this document from a police station in Niger. You will need to show your passport to get the certificate.
To get married in Niger you will need a doctor’s certificate. You can get this document from a hospital. You will need to show your passport to get the certificate.
Is my marriage valid in the Netherlands?
Marriages performed in Niger are recognised in the Netherlands. But you must have your marriage certificate legalised.
Do I have to register my marriage in the Netherlands?
You may need to register your marriage in the Netherlands. This depends on where you live.
If you live in the Netherlands, you must register your marriage with your municipality. You will need your marriage certificate to do this. You will receive this certificate in French. First have your marriage certificate legalised.
More information about having documents from Niger legalised
If you live outside the Netherlands, you can have your marriage certificate converted into a Dutch certificate by the municipality of The Hague. This is not mandatory, but it can be useful if you ever need an extract in the future.
More information about registering a foreign marriage certificate in the Netherlands