Applying for marriage by proxy

Are you getting married, but you or your partner cannot appear in person before the civil registrar? For example, because one of you is seriously ill? You may be granted dispensation for marriage by proxy. An authorised person will then take your or your partner’s place. This is also referred to as "trouwen met de handschoen".

Last updated on 7 July 2022

Lees deze informatie in het Nederlands

Eligibility for marriage by proxy

You can only marry by proxy if there is an important reason for doing this. For example, if you or your partner cannot be at the wedding because you are in prison outside the Netherlands. Please visit the Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid– Justis (Ministry of Justice and Security) website to find out about the eligibility requirements (in Dutch).

Applying for marriage by proxy

Please contact Justis to submit an application for marriage by proxy (in Dutch).

Laws and regulations (in Dutch)

Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1, artikel 66

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