Marriage
Marriages are solemnised by the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Registered Partnerships. Certain matters relating to marriage are regulated by law. Parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters are forbidden to marry in the Netherlands, although a dispensation may be granted if the partners are adopted siblings. In order to marry in the Netherlands, at least one of the partners must be Dutch or resident in the Netherlands.
Public notice of an intended marriage
In the Netherlands, the partners must register their intention to marry with the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Registered Partnerships at least two weeks in advance. They can do so at the municipal population affairs office. This advance notification procedure (ondertrouw) is compulsory by law.
Marriage in the Netherlands in general community of property
In the Netherlands, unless stipulated otherwise, marriage automatically takes place in general community of property. Marriage in general community of property means that all the property and debts of each partner are shared.
Marriage contract
It is possible to exclude certain items, such as a bequest or inheritance, from the community of property. This can only be done by the testator. In addition, the forthcoming partners may decide to have a marriage contract drawn up by a notary. This contract the prospective partners make agreements on how they diverge from the guidelines of general community of property.
Marriage must be registered in the Netherlands
Marriages that have been solemnised in another country cannot be registered in the Netherlands until the marriage certificate has been authenticated. The authentication procedure differs according to the country in which the marriage was concluded. Partners can request more information from the embassy of the country where they were married. It is compulsory in the Netherlands for married persons to register their marriage at the Municipal Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie personen, BRP). They can do so at the municipal population affairs office.