The marriage rituals differ among different ethnic groups in Nepal. Marriage is the social, spiritual, cultural and legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. In Nepal, marriage is not just the union of bride and groom but the establishment of the relationship between the families.

With the implementation of the new ‘Muluki Civil Code 2017’, new legal provisions regarding marriage have been enforced. The registration of marriage is governed by Chapter on Marriage of Civil Code 2017 (2074). Civil Code incorporates marriage-related provisions from Section 67 to Section 84.

Section 70 of the Muluki Civil Code 2074, lists the following criteria for a man and a woman to get married.

1. Both man and woman accept each other as wife and husband
2. If the couple is not related by blood such that they can’t be punished for incest.
3. If man and woman are not already married.
4. If both are above 20 years of age.

However, the law has created a reservation for the caste (tribe) in which it is culturally acceptable to marry one’s relatives.

Procedural of Court Marriage in Nepal:

If both man and woman desire to conclude marriage by registration, they shall file an application in the concerned District Court.

Document required for Court Marriage 

आवश्यक कागजातहरु

If both Man and Women are Nepalese(पुरुष र महिला दुबै नेपाली नागरिक भएमा):

1. Application (In a prescribed format). (निवेदन)
2. Copy of citizenship certificate/passport of Man and Woman. (पुरुष र महिलाको नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र वा पासर्पोट) 
3. Copy of citizenship certificate/passport of two witness for each Man and Woman. (पुरुष र महिला दुबैका साक्षीहरुको नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र वा पासर्पोट) 
4. Passport size photo of man and woman (4 Copies).  (दुबै पुरुष र महिलाको ४ वटा पासर्पोट साइज फोटो) 
5. Unmarried Certificate/letter from Ward Office.  (दुबै पुरुष र महिलाको आफ्नो वडा कार्यालयबाट जारी भएको अविवाहित प्रमाणपत्र) 
6. If the address is temporary, Letter from ward office. (अस्थायी बसोबास गरी रहेको भए अस्थायी बसोबास गर्ने वडा कार्यालयबाट अस्थायी बसोबास गरेको पत्र) 
7. Copy of Divorce if man or woman or both are divorcee. (पुरुष वा महिला वा दुबैको सम्बन्धविच्छेद भएको भए सम्बन्धविच्छेदको कागज) 

If both Man and Women or any one of them are Foreigner(पुरुष वा महिला वा दुबै विदेशी नागरिक भएमा):

1. Application (In a prescribed format). (निवेदन)
2. Copy of citizenship certificate/passport for Nepalese Man or Woman.  (पुरुष वा महिलाको नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र वा पासर्पोट) 
3. Copy of passport for Foreigner Man or Women or both.  (विदेशी पुरुष वा महिला वा दुबैको पासर्पोटको सक्कल र प्रमाणित) 
4. Copy of citizenship certificate/passport of two witness for each Man and Woman. (पुरुष र महिला दुबैका साक्षीहरुको नागरिकता प्रमाणपत्र वा पासर्पोट) 
5. Passport size photo of man and woman (4 Copies). (दुबै पुरुष र महिलाको ४ वटा पासर्पोट साइज फोटो) 
6. Certified Letter from ward office for temporary address. Both must have resided since at least (15) fifteen days. (अस्थायी बसोबास गरी रहेको भए अस्थायी बसोबास गर्ने वडा कार्यालयबाट अस्थायी बसोबास गरेको पत्र, कम्तिमा १५ दिन बसेको हुनुपर्नेछ) 
7. Unmarried Certificate/letter from Ward Office for Nepalese Man or Woman. (नेपाली पुरुष वा महिलाको आफ्नो वडा कार्यालयबाट जारी भएको अविवाहित प्रमाणपत्र) 
8. No objection letter from concerned Embassy or consulate or concerned office if man or woman is foreigner. (विदेशी पुरुष वा महिलाको आफ्नो राजदुतावास वा कन्सुलेट वा सम्बन्धीत कार्यालयबाट जारी भएको अविवाहित प्रमाणपत्र) 
9. Translated copy with notary of Marriage law of foreign land if man or woman is foreigner. (विदेशी नागरिकको आफ्नो देशको विवाह सम्बनधी कानून र सोको नेपाली अनुवाद) 
10. Copy of Divorce if man or woman are divorcee. (पुरुष वा महिला वा दुबैको सम्बन्धविच्छेद भएको भए सम्बन्धविच्छेदको कागज) 

Disclaimer: This writing is prepared to share general information only and for legal purposes, advice of legal professionals is must. 

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