Court Marriage In Nepal – Complete Registration Online Guide 2026
Court marriage in Nepal is the legal process of registering a marriage directly before a District Court judge, without the requirement of a prior religious or social ceremony. Known as ‘Court Bihe‘ in Nepali, it is governed by the Muluki Dewani Samhita 2074 (National Civil Code 2017) and is fully recognized by the Government of Nepal.
Court marriage in Nepal has become increasingly popular among love marriages, inter-caste couples, inter-religion marriages and Nepali-foreigner couples. It offers a private, cost-effective, legally binding alternative to traditional wedding ceremonies.
This guide answers every important question about Court Marriage In Nepal – the legal age, required documents, complete process, court fees, timeline, and how foreigners, NRNs and Indian Citizens can get court married in Nepal.
Also Helpful: NRN Citizenship Complete Guide 2026
What Is Court Marriage in Nepal? (Court Bihe Bhane Ko K Ho?)
Court marriage in Nepal is a civil marriage process conducted in front of a judge at a District Court. Unlike traditional marriages (social or religious), court marriage requires no pundit, priest or ceremony.
Both parties simply appear before the court, submit required documents, sign a Deed of Consent (Sahmat Patra), and receive an official Marriage Certificate.
In Nepal, Court Marriage (Court Bihe) is also called ‘Paper Bihe’ or ‘Kanoon Bihe‘ in informal usage. It is Distinct From Ward Office Marriage Registration, which is for couples who have already held a traditional ceremony.
| Court Marriage (Court Bihe) | Ward Office Marriage Registration |
| No prior ceremony needed | Marriage ceremony already held |
| Conducted at District Court | Conducted at local Ward Office |
| Certificate issued by court judge | Certificate issued by ward secretary |
| Required for foreigners marrying Nepali citizens | Used for traditional/religious marriages |
| Takes 1-2 working days (Nepali couples) | Can be done same day |
Legal Age for Court Marriage in Nepal (Court Bihe Ko Umera)
The legal age for court marriage in Nepal is 20 years for both men and women, as stipulated under Section 67 of the Muluki Dewani Samhita 2074. There are no exceptions to this age requirement, regardless of parental consent.
- Minimum age for both parties – 20 years.
- Parental consent is NOT required for individuals above 20 years.
- Marriage below 20 years is void under Nepali law and is considered child marriage.
- Both Nepali citizens and foreign nationals marrying in Nepal must meet this age requirement.
Eligibility Criteria Court Marriage In Nepal
The following conditions must be satisfied for court marriage in Nepal.
- Both parties must be at least 20 years old.
- Both parties must be single (unmarried, divorced or widowed). A person already legally married cannot register a second marriage.
- Both parties must give free and voluntary consent. Forced or arranged marriages against one’s will are not recognized.
- The couple must not be related within prohibited degrees of kinship (blood relatives) as defined by Section 70 of the Civil Code.
- Both parties must be of sound mind.
Note: Court marriage in Nepal is legally open to – inter-caste couples, inter-religion couples, love marriages, Nepali-foreigner couples, NRNs (Non-Resident Nepalis), Indian citizens and couples who prefer a private legal marriage without social ceremony.
Documents Required For Court Marriage In Nepal
For Two Nepali Citizens (Dui Jana Nepali Nagarik Ko Lagi)
| S.N. | Document Required | Important Notes |
| 1 | Citizenship Certificate (Nagarikta) | Notarized copy – original for verification |
| 2 | Single Status / Unmarried Certificate | From Ward Office of permanent address – valid for 30 days from issuance |
| 3 | Two Witnesses with Citizenship | Both witnesses must be physically present on the court date |
| 4 | Passport-Sized Photos | 4 copies each of bride and groom |
| 5 | Temporary Residence Certificate | Required if marrying outside your home district – must prove 15-day minimum residence in that district |
| 6 | Divorce Decree or Death Certificate | Only required if either party has been previously married |
For Nepali-Foreigner Court Marriage (Bideshi Nagarik Ko Lagi)
| S.N. | Document Required (For the Foreign National) | Details |
| 1 | Valid Passport | Original + notarized copy |
| 2 | Valid Nepal Visa | Stamped in passport |
| 3 | No Objection Certificate (NOC) | Issued by the respective country’s embassy in Nepal – confirms the applicant is unmarried |
| 4 | Marriage Law of Home Country | Must be translated into Nepali/English and notarized |
| 5 | Temporary Residence Certificate | From Ward Office confirming minimum 15-day stay in Nepal |
| 6 | 4 Passport-Sized Photos | Recent photos |
| 7 | Divorce Decree / Death Certificate | If previously married |
Special Note for Indian Citizens: India does not have an embassy requirement for NOC in some arrangements. Indian nationals marrying in Nepal must provide their Aadhaar Card, PAN card or passport as identity proof, along with a single status declaration. It is strongly advisable to consult a lawyer familiar with Indian-Nepali court marriages.
Court Marriage Process In Nepal (Court Bihe Ko Prakriya)
For Two Nepali Citizens
- Obtain the Single Status Certificate from the Ward Office of your permanent address. Both bride and groom must do this separately from their respective ward offices.
- Prepare all necessary documents – notarized copies of citizenships, witness citizenships, photos, and residence certificates (if applicable).
- Submit the marriage application form along with all documents at the relevant District Court. The court can be in your permanent district or any district where you have resided for at least 15 days.
- Court staff verifies the documents and eligibility. The court schedules a hearing date.
- On the scheduled date, both parties and both witnesses must be physically present before the judge. The judge confirms consent and verifies ages and identities.
- Both parties sign the Deed of Consent (Sahmat Patra) in the presence of the judge and witnesses.
- The court issues the official Court Marriage Certificate (Bihe Praman Patra). This typically happens on the same court date or within 1-2 working days.
- The court-issued certificate should then be registered at the local Ward Office to update your civil record.
For Nepali-Foreigner Court Marriage
- The foreign national must arrive in Nepal and establish a minimum 15-day residence in the district where court marriage will be registered.
- Obtain the Temporary Residence Certificate from the Ward Office of your temporary address after 15 days.
- Collect the NOC/Single Status Certificate from your country’s embassy in Nepal. If no embassy: obtain documentation from your home country’s civil authority (notarized).
- The Nepali citizen partner obtains their Single Status Certificate from their permanent Ward Office.
- Both parties submit the marriage application with all documents at the District Court.
- Court schedules a hearing. Both parties and two witnesses appear.
- Signatures are taken; the judge approves and the Marriage Certificate is issued.
Where To Go For Court Marriage In Nepal ?
Court marriage in Nepal is conducted at any District Court (Jilla Adalat) in Nepal. You can apply at the District Court in.
- Your permanent district (matching your citizenship).
- Any district where either party has resided for at least 15 days (temporary residence certificate required).
Most popular districts for court marriage in Nepal include.
| District | Court Location |
| Kathmandu | Kathmandu District Court, Babarmahal |
| Lalitpur | Lalitpur District Court, Lagankhel |
| Bhaktapur | Bhaktapur District Court |
| Pokhara (Kaski) | Kaski District Court, Pokhara |
| Chitwan | Chitwan District Court, Bharatpur |
| Any Other District | The District Court Of That District |
Important: Kathmandu is the most preferred location for court marriage in Nepal, especially for foreigners, due to easy access to embassies, notary services, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and experienced marriage lawyers.
Court Marriage Fee In Nepal (Court Bihe Ko Shulka)
| Item | Approximate Cost (NPR) |
| Government Court Registration Fee | NRs. 500 |
| Temporary Residence Certificate (Nepali) | NRs. 2,000 |
| Temporary Residence Certificate (Foreigner) | NRs. 10,000 |
| Single Status Certificate (varies by ward) | NRs. 50 – 200 |
| Notary Charges (per document) | NRs. 200 – 500 |
| Legal Lawyer Assistance (optional) | NRs. 5,000 – 30,000 |
| Translation of Foreign Documents | NRs. 500 – 2,000 Per Page |
Total court marriage cost in Nepal for two Nepali citizens (without a lawyer) is approximately NRs. 1,000-3,000 including all certificate and notary charges. With a lawyer, total costs typically range from NRs. 10,000 to NRs 30,000 depending on complexity.
How Long Does Court Marriage Take In Nepal?
| Scenario | Estimated Timeline |
| Two Nepali citizens (all documents ready) | 1-2 working days |
| One foreign national (all documents ready) | 18-24 days (includes mandatory 15-day stay) |
| Same-day court marriage (possible if documents complete) | Possible with prior arrangement |
Online Court Marriage In Nepal
Online court marriage is NOT possible in Nepal. Both parties must be physically present at the District Court on the scheduled date. The law requires in-person appearance before the judge and both witnesses must also be present physically.
However, some preparatory steps can be done online through the DONIDCR portal (donidcr.gov.np).
- Downloading and pre-filling the marriage application form online.
- Online data entry for Anusuchi (event registration schedule form).
- Checking registration status after the court process is complete.
Note: But this portal does not have any direct application online court marriage portal – so you must physically visit the respective Court Location
Court Marriage Certificate In Nepal
Upon successful court marriage in Nepal, the District Court issues an official Court Marriage Certificate (Bihe Praman Patra). This certificate.
- Is legally valid across Nepal and internationally (with proper authentication).
- Serves as primary proof of marriage for all government purposes.
- Can be used to update citizenship documents, passport and national ID.
- Is required for spouse visa, dependent visa and immigration applications.
- Can be verified online through the Supreme Court website or DONIDCR portal.
How To Check Your Court Marriage Certificate Online
- Visit the Supreme Court of Nepal website supremecourt.gov.np
- Select the District Court where your marriage was registered.
- Click on ‘Daily Cause List’ (Adalat Ko Peshi Suchi)
- Enter your marriage registration date and number.
- Your court marriage certificate details will appear.
How To Get NOC For Court Marriage In Nepal
- Contact your country’s embassy located in Nepal.
- Book an appointment with the embassy.
- Visit the embassy with your identification documents and application.
- The embassy issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) confirming you are unmarried and eligible to marry in Nepal.
If There Is No Embassy: You can obtain the NOC from your country’s consulate or get a single status certificate from your home country’s municipal/civil authority (must be notarized).
Court Marriage For NRN (Non-Resident Nepali)
Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) can register their court marriage in Nepal using the same process as resident Nepali citizens.
NRNs who have married abroad can also register their overseas marriage at the nearest Nepali Embassy/Consulate, though they are advised to check with the specific embassy for current procedures.
Court Marriage Rules In Nepal – Legal Framework
Court marriage in Nepal is governed by the following key legal provisions.
| Legal Provision | Description |
| Section 67, Civil Code 2074 | Defines what constitutes a valid marriage in Nepal |
| Section 68, Civil Code 2074 | Sets minimum age of marriage at 20 years |
| Section 69, Civil Code 2074 | Requires mutual consent of both parties |
| Section 70, Civil Code 2074 | Prohibits marriage among close blood relatives |
| Section 73, Civil Code 2074 | Makes marriage registration compulsory |
| Section 76, Civil Code 2074 | Governs ward office registration for traditional marriages |
| Section 77, Civil Code 2074 | Governs marriage registration through embassies/consulates |
Benefits Of Court Marriage In Nepal
- Legal Recognition: Provides immediate and unambiguous legal status to the marriage under Nepali law.
- Privacy: No social ceremony required. The couple can marry privately with just two witnesses.
- Inter-Caste And Inter-Religion: Court marriage legally validates relationships regardless of caste, religion or community.
- Cost-Effective: Government fee is only NRs. 500. Total costs are significantly lower than traditional weddings.
- Faster Process: For Nepali citizens, the certificate is issued within 1-2 working days.
- Valid For International Use: Recognized internationally after proper authentication from MoFA Nepal.
- Family Opposition: Court marriage is valid even when families disapprove, as long as both parties are adults giving free consent.
- Basis For Other Documents: Used to obtain spouse visas, update citizenship, enable inheritance rights, and more.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer for specific legal guidance.