How to register a marriage

How to register a marriage

Under Malaysian law, there are two types of marriages, Muslim and civil. If one party is of Muslim faith, the couple must go through a Muslim ceremony and there is no question of a civil marriage.

As a multiracial country, however, Malaysia has many types of traditional marriage ceremonies within the various religions (for example, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs) and ethnic groups (for example, Iban, Melanan, Kadazan, Bidaya, Dayak).

Non-Muslim traditional religious marriage ceremonies in Malaysia are not legally recognised under the Registration of Marriages Ordinance, 1952 and the Law Reform (Marriages and Divorce) Act, 1976 unless the marriage is registered as a civil marriage with the Registration Department. Most people obtain civil or Muslim marriage certificates before going through a traditional ceremony.

Civil Marriages

Those going through Civil marriages are required to comply with formalities of the Malaysian National Registration Department. Guidelines on civil marriages in Malaysia can be obtained from:

Headquarters
National Registration Department
Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri
Lot 2G5, Presint 2
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62100 Putrajaya
Tel: (03) 8880 7000
Fax: (03) 8880 7059

In brief, the guidelines state that the intended parties must be resident for 7 days before a 21 days notice of marriage can be posted at the Malaysian Registration Department. The civil authorities would normally expect the intended parties to produce evidence that there is no impediment to their intended marriage. For example, if either of the intended parties have been previously married, a divorce certificate would prove that the parties were free to marry. If the parties are single, a sworn statement witnessed by a notary public is generally acceptable.

The civil authorities also normally need a statement from the British High Commission stating that we have no objection to the proposed marriage. Our letter would state that this office has no authority to issue such statements nor does it have authority to issue "certificates of no impediment" in connection with local marriages. This letter is generally acceptable to the civil authorities. In order for us to issue such letter, we need:
(1) Divorce Certificates (if you have been previously married)
(2) Statutory Declaration made at the local High Court or at the office of a notary public
(3) British passport
(4) Your partner’s passport
(5) the relevant consular fee

Once you have obtained the letter from the British High Commission, the Registrar will also require you or your agent to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the letter Legalised. Their contact details are as follows:

Consular Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Wisma Putra, No. 1
Jalan Wisma Putra
Parcel C, Presint 2
62602, Putrajaya
Tel: (03) 8887 4159

If the parties have never been married before and are not resident in Malaysia, the Registrar may also need a supporting letter from the local registration office in UK stating that there is no record of the parties being married in the UK.

Muslim Marriages

Muslim marriages are under the state jurisdiction as stated in the Malaysian Federal Constitution and it must be registered with the State Religious Office for them to be recognised. It is advisable for the parties to consult the local Religious Office for further information.

The religious authorities may also want a statement from the British High Commission stating that we have no objection to the proposed marriage. Again, our letter would state that this office has no authority to issue such statements, nor does it have authority to issue "certificates of no impediment" in connection with local marriages. This letter is generally acceptable to the religious authorities.

Currently we have not been notified that the British High Commission letter of ‘no objection’ for Muslim marriage is required to be legalised by the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as is required for all Civil marriage letters.

The information on this website on marrying in Kuala Lumpur is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the FCO by the relevant local authorities. The information on this website is therefore only up to date and accurate to the extent that such authorities provide us with timely and accurate information. Accordingly the FCO does not guarantee that this information is accurate and will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain information about marriage must also contact the relevant local authority to be sure of the requirements that they need in order for their ceremony to go ahead.