
Singaporean marrying a foreigner: Your essential guide
Planning a wedding and getting married is an exciting process - but the formalities required can be daunting, especially if youâre marrying someone from a different country.
If youâre getting married in Singapore, and either you or your partner are not Singapore citizens or PR, youâll need to know the eligibility rules and requirements, as well as the formal steps needed to legally marry.
To start you off, weâve outlined the process of getting married to a foreigner in Singapore. Learn about the documents you need to prepare, the people who will be involved in your big day, and how to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Weâll also briefly touch on how you can save money when planning your wedding, for example with low cost international payments from Wise.
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The process of a foreigner marrying a Singaporean
Marriage in Singapore is allowed for couples who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Both parties must usually be over the age of 21. If younger, youâll need a special marriage license and will require approval from parents or guardians
- Same-sex marriage is not allowed
- If either of the couple if not a Singapore citizen or PR, one of you must be physically in Singapore for 15 days prior to applying for a marriage license
Itâs also worth noting that 2 foreigners can marry in Singapore, but there may be further eligibility steps based on their visas and permits.
To be legally married in Singapore youâll need to file advance notice of your intentions, and have your documents all checked and verified. You can then register and solemnise your marriage, either at the same time as any wedding celebrations you intend to have, or in advance of your wedding party.
Hereâs an outline of the steps youâll need to take to get married in Singapore in more detail. Muslim marriages are registered in a slightly different way, which we will cover in just a moment.
- Choose the date and location for your solemnization - youâll need to give at least 21 days notice
- Find a licensed solemnizer and select 2 witnesses
- Prepare your documents including NRIC cards or passports for the couple and witnesses
- File notice of your intended marriage online with the ROM (Registry of Marriages), and get an appointment for verifying your documents and declaration
- Bride and groom must attend the ROM appointment, and collect their marriage license if they intend to have the solemnization outside of the ROM location
- Solemnization can take place e ither at ROM or a location of your choosing. After the ceremony the solemnizer will return one copy of the certificate to ROM, and give one to the bride to confirm the marriage has legally taken place
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Covid-19 and getting married
In order to ensure everyoneâs safety, certain rules and restrictions around weddings have been put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. These requirements will change over time as the situation moves on - but itâs important to check prior to planning your wedding.Âč
At the time of writing, Phase 3 guidelines mean ROM solemnizations can be done with up to 10 people present, while some licensed venues with appropriate safe distancing measures can hold up to 100.
Some steps of the procedures may be done online or via video link - but this depends on the situation of the individuals involved. If both parties getting married are Singaporean or PR, both the document verification and solemnization can take place via video. If one of the couple is a foreigner, youâll need to attend the verification appointment in person, but the solemnization can be done over video if this is preferred.
There may also be delays in getting all the documents and approvals you need, due to backlogs caused by the pandemic.
Foreigner and Singaporean marrying: documents, solemnization, residency
If youâre planning on getting married in Singapore, you'll want to know all about the process and the steps required.
Weâll work through them in detail here - and thereâs also a wealth of information on the ROM website which covers everything from marriage preparation courses to information about popular marriage dates in previous years, to help you plan based on things like where public holidays fall, and auspicious dates in the lunar calendar.ÂČ
If youâre planning an Islamic wedding, youâll need to look at the information on the Register of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) website. While most of the steps involved are extremely similar to the ROM process, there are some different requirements in terms of paperwork and process. Weâll cover some key points here, but checking out the full detail over on the ROMM website is advised.Âł |
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Submitting notice of marriage
One of the first formal steps youâll need to take is to complete e-filing of your notice of marriage. To do this simply visit the ROM/ROMM website and follow the steps set out.
Youâll be given an appointment to visit ROM/ROMM in person to submit your documents and the statutory declaration. Once you have completed the e-filing, print off the confirmation, as youâll be required to take this along to your meeting.
Work-permit holder marrying Singapore Citizen/Singapore Permanent Resident
If youâre not a Singapore citizen or PR youâll want to check the visa rules and requirements prior to planning your wedding. Depending on the type of pass youâre on there may be additional steps to take.
Usually if youâre on an employment pass you donât have to get MOM (Ministry of Manpower) approval for your marriage. However, if you have an S-Pass your employer may need to inform MOM, and if youâre on a Work Permit, youâll need MOM approval to make sure marriage doesnât violate any of the terms of your pass.
Required documents
Once you have completed your e-filing you need to make arrangements for your ROM/ROMM appointment which involves verifying your documents and making a statutory declaration. The documents required are as follows:
- Bride and groomâs original NRIC card or passports
- Completed âInvitation to solemnize a marriageâ form
- Copy of the NRIC or passport for your 2 chosen witnesses
- If either party has previously been married youâll also need a divorce paper or death certificate of your deceased spouse
If youâre making an application for a Muslim wedding the documents above are required. The brideâs Wali will also need to attend the ROMM meeting and take along his NRIC or passport.⎠|
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Verification of Documents and Statutory Declaration
The bride and groom are required to go along to the ROM office to present documents and receive your marriage paperwork if youâre having the solemnization outside of the ROM office. If youâre having a Muslim wedding, the brideâs Wali must also attend this meeting, although the witnesses are not required by either ROM or ROMM at this stage.
Marriage Preparation Program
The Ministry for Social and Family Development offers a marriage preparation program (MPP) for couples which is specifically aimed at marriages between Singapore citizens and foreignersâ”. In some cases, attending this course will be mandatory as part of the application for a LTVP for the foreign partner. The MPP may be held at the ROM on the same day as the meeting to verify documents.
Thereâs also a course for couples having a Muslim wedding, as well as a broad range of other enhanced courses to support anyone getting married. For after the big day itself there are also various programs designed to help couples settle into marriage.
Solemnization
Depending on how you choose to arrange your wedding, the solemnization may take place at the same time as your marriage celebrations, or beforehand. Solemnization only actually requires the bride, groom, 2 witnesses and the solemnizer, so this can be a simple intimate affair - or it can be a much bigger celebration with many guests.
Because this is still a formal process, the bride, groom and witnesses must remember to take their photo ID documents and give them to the solemnizer prior to the ceremony taking place. Youâll also need all the ROM documents collected after the statutory declaration meeting.
In the case of Muslim weddings, youâll also need the brideâs Wali to attend. The couple, witnesses and Wali present their ID documents prior to the ceremony, and the groom must prepare his Mahar - a gift of at least S$100 given to his wife after the service.âŽ
LTVP Eligibility
Someone married to a Singapore citizen or PR is not automatically eligible for a Singapore pass or visa. Prior to getting married, youâll be able to apply for a pre-marriage long-term visit pass assessment (PMLA). This will give advance notice about whether or not the foreign partner is likely to be able to get a LTVP after marriage. If approved, youâll get a letter or eligibility which can be used to apply for an LTVP after the wedding.â¶
â ïž This step is crucial. Getting approval for an LTVP prior to your wedding means that getting your LTVP could take 6 weeks. However, if you leave your application until after the marriage, the same process may take 6 months.
Can a non-citizen spouse stay in Singapore after marriage?
The right to stay in Singapore as a non-citizen is entirely dependent on whether or not you qualify for a visa or visit pass. Marriage is not enough to guarantee that youâll be issued a visa - take time to check the options for visas and LTVPs prior to arranging your wedding.
Getting married is a big step, and planning a wedding youâll never forget is important to many couples. Make sure you remember your happy day for all the right reasons, by researching the legal requirements in advance. Youâll find lots of advice online from ROM and ROMM, to make sure everything goes smoothly. Good luck, and congratulations!
Sources:
- Registry of Marriages Singapore
- Registry of Marriages - FAQ
- Registry of Muslim Marriages - Marriage Process at a Glance
- Registry of Muslim Marriages - Eligibility
- Ministry of Social and Family Development - Preparing for Marriage
- ICA - Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment (PMLA)
Sources checked on 30 March 2021
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from TransferWise Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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