Marriage Law in Nepal is governed by various laws and customs, allowing for different types of marriages such as custom/social marriage and court marriage. According to Sec. 67 of the National Civil Code, 2017, if a male and a female accept each other as a couple (husband and wife) through any event, ceremony, formal or other activities will be acknowledged as married. Marriage shall be a permanent, inviolable and holy social and legal bond, which is based on free consent and established to start conjugal and family life between a man and a woman.

Marriage Law in Nepal

Every person shall, subject to Marriage Law in Nepal, have the freedom to conclude a marriage, establish a family and spend a conjugal life. A marriage must be made, or caused to be made, public irrespective of the manner used to conclude it. Every person’s family life shall be inviolable. a man and a woman on the following conditions:
(a) If the man and the woman agree to accept each other as husband and wife,
(b) If the man and the woman are not relatives, punishable by law on incest,
(c) If matrimonial relationship of both the man and the woman does not exist,
(d) If both have attained twenty years of age.

Also Read: Court Marriage Law in Nepal

Documents required for court marriage in Nepal

Application of registration
Photocopy of Citizenship Certificate
4 Passport size photo of couple
Letter from the ward office of male and female stating he or she is either unmarried or divorcee
Two witnesses

Note: If application is made at different District Court other than Citizenship issuance District, temporary resident letter is required to from concern ward office of Municipality.

Also Read: Court Marriage Registration Process in Nepal

Documents Required for Foreign Citizens in Nepal

Photocopy of Passport with valid visa;
No objection letter provided by concerned embassy in Nepal.
15 days temporary resident letter recommended by concern ward office of Municipality.
Marriage Laws of domicile state/country; Notarized translation of such laws

Marriage Law in Nepal says no one can have more than one husband or wife simultaneously. Therefore, if someone wishes to marry after the first time, then they must have the divorce certificate otherwise, the death certificate should be there in case their previous spouse has died.

Process of Court Marriage in Nepal

Step 1: Submission of Application for Marriage

Step 2: Review and Verification by the Court

Step 3: Court Appearance with Witnesses

Step 4: Issuance of Court Marriage by the Judge

Step 1: Submission of Application for Marriage

Applicants complete and sign marriage registration forms in each other’s presence.

Step 2: Review & Verification by the Court

Court authorities review submitted documents, register the application if approved, and set a date for the applicants’ in-person appearance.

Step 3: Court Appearance with Witnesses

On the scheduled date, both applicants attend court accompanied by their witnesses to support their marriage registration application.

Step 3: Issuance of Court Marriage by the Court

Finally, the District Court, after review and confirmation issues the certificate of Court Marriage to the individuals for Marriage Law in Nepal.

Questions about Marriage Law in Nepal

What is the legal age of marriage in Nepal 2024?

The Legal Age of Marriage in Nepal 2024 is having attained 20 years of age for both males and females across all regions in Nepal. The Age Eligibility was proposed by the National Civil Code, 2017 (2074).

What is the code for marriage in Nepal?

The National Civil Code, 2017 (2074) also known as मुलुकी देवानी संहिता is the official code for Marriage in Nepal. It has proposed the laws relating to marriage, rights and responsibilities for marriage and the grounds or Divorce in Nepal.

What is the Nepali law for second marriage?

Nepali law generally prohibits second marriages and it can result in a sentence of imprisonment for a term of one year to five years and a fine of NPR 10,000/- to NPR 50,000/-. Section 175 of the National Penal Code 2017 states that no married man shall conclude another marriage during the continuation of the marital relationship.

What is the age gap for marriage in Nepal?

As per the updated Nepali Law, there is no specific legal restriction on the age difference between spouses. However, both parties must meet the minimum age requirement of 20 years.

What are the rules of marriage in Nepal?

The Rules of Marriage in Nepal are as follows:
1. The man and the woman must agree to accept each other as husband and wife.
2. The Man and the woman are not relatives, punishable by law on incest.
3. The Matrimonial relationship of both the man and the woman does not exist.
4. Both have attained twenty years of age.

What is the rule of marriage?

The Rule of Marriage is stated in Chapter 1 Part 3 of National Civil Code “Provisions Relating to Marriage” . The Rules of Marriage state that Marriage may be concluded, Marriage may not be concluded, Marriage to be void and Voidable Marriage.

How to get legally married in Nepal?

The Process of getting Legally Married in Nepal are:
1. Become Eligible for Marriage (attain 20 Years of Age)
2. Consult Prime Law Associates for Court Marriage
3. File an Application for Court Marriage with required documents
4. Appearance before the District Court with Review
5. Issuance of Marriage Registration Certificate.

What is punishable marriage?

Section 171 to Section 176 of the National Penal Code, 2017 has provided for Punishable Marriage:
1. Marriage with Consent
2. Marriage in prohibited Degree of Relationship
3. Child Marriage
4. Transacting Property in Marriage
5. Bigamy (Second Marriage)

What are the rules of husband and wife?

The Rules of Husband and Wife are:
1. To be considered Husband and Wife
2. Husband’s home to be considered Residence
3. To be considered each other’s agent
4. Household Affairs to be managed by consent
5. Not to preclude from exercising profession, business or occupation
6. To provide, or cause to be provided, maintenance in accordance with reputation

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