Story time: A few years into planning, I thought I’d seen most of the things that could go wrong before a wedding day. Then I got a call from a couple whose solemnisation was three weeks away. I’d been helping them with their celebration — venue, programme, the whole picture — and called to check in on their ROM paperwork.
It hadn’t been filed.
They had assumed we, as their planners, would handle registration on their behalf. We hadn’t, because we legally can’t. The couple must submit the Notice of Marriage themselves. Three weeks out, they were cutting it dangerously close to the 21-day minimum notice period. We spent the next 48 hours helping them get everything in order. They made it, just. But it was a reminder that the legal side of a Singapore wedding has rules that don’t bend, and the earlier couples understand them, the better.
Introduction
Getting legally married in Singapore is a separate process from your wedding celebration — and for many couples, it’s the part they know least about. This guide covers the essentials: who is eligible, how the registration process works, what to expect on the day, and the questions we hear most often from couples we’ve worked with. Whether you’re planning a full reception or a quiet solemnisation at a venue you love, the legal steps are the same.
Information in this guide is accurate as of April 2026. Always verify current requirements at marriage.gov.sg.
Are you eligible to marry in Singapore?
Before anything else, both parties need to meet the following conditions.
Age. Both parties must be at least 21 years old. If either party is between 18 and 20, written parental or guardian consent is required. Marriage under 18 requires a Special Marriage Licence.
Marital status. Singapore law recognises only monogamous marriages. Neither party can be already married.
Family relationship. Parties cannot be closely related by blood or adoption.
Residency — for foreign nationals. If one or both parties are foreign nationals, at least one person must have been physically present in Singapore for at least 31 consecutive days before submitting the marriage application. This stay need not have happened immediately before you file, a previous single trip to Singapore counts, as long as the 31 days were continuous. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents have no residency requirement.
The registration process, step by step
Step 1: Confirm your solemnisation details
Decide on your date, time, and venue before you file. You can solemnise at ROM’s premises or at an external location of your choice, such as a hotel, a restaurant, a garden, or even a private home, provided you engage a licensed solemniser. You will also need two witnesses aged 21 or older.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Singapore Citizens and PRs will need their NRIC. Foreign nationals will need a valid passport. If either party has been previously married, you’ll need proof that the marriage has been legally ended. Parental or guardian consent documentation applies if either party is under 21.
Step 3: Submit your Notice of Marriage
This is the step that catches couples out. The Notice of Marriage must be submitted online at least 21 days before your solemnisation date, and this must be done by the couple themselves, not a planner or third party. You can file up to six months in advance, and for popular dates, filing early is worth doing.
Step 4: Pay the registration fee
Fees are paid at the point of application. As of 2025, the fee is S$42 for couples in which at least one party is a Singapore Citizen or PR, and S$380 for couples in which both parties are foreign nationals.
Step 5: Make your declaration
Once your application is submitted, you’ll be required to make a formal declaration. Depending on eligibility, this can be done in person at ROM, via video link, or online. Check marriage.gov.sg for the current options available to you.
Step 6: Solemnise your marriage
With the administrative steps completed, your solemnisation takes place as planned. You’ll receive a digital marriage certificate as official proof of marriage.
What does the solemnisation itself look like?
There’s sometimes an assumption that a solemnisation, especially a small one, won’t feel like much. In our experience, that’s rarely true.
Story time: We once served as the two required witnesses at a couple’s solemnisation at Raffles Hotel. It was just the four of us and their photographer. The room was set simply with ceremony décor, a cocktail table, flowers, but the whole thing felt completely like a wedding. The words still carried weight. The moment still landed. The certificate at the end was the same one every married couple in Singapore receives.
If you’re solemnising at ROM’s premises, guest numbers are limited by the space. If you want family and friends present, an external venue gives you flexibility on both setting and size. Either way, the legal ceremony and your celebration don’t have to happen on the same day, many couples solemnise quietly first, then hold their reception weeks or months later.
Additional considerations for foreign nationals
Work Permit holders. If you or your partner currently hold or previously held a Work Permit and are marrying a Singapore Citizen or PR, you must obtain Ministry of Manpower (MOM) approval before submitting your Notice of Marriage. This is a separate step from the ROM process.
Living in Singapore after marriage. Foreign spouses who plan to live in Singapore will typically apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) after marriage. Before you get to that stage, it’s worth completing the Pre-Marriage Long-Term Visit Pass Assessment (PMLA) — an ICA process that gives you an early indication of whether the LTVP application is likely to be approved. It doesn’t guarantee the outcome, but it’s a useful step to take before the wedding rather than after. You can access it via eservices.ica.gov.sg.
FAQs
How far in advance should we file the Notice of Marriage?
At minimum, 21 days before your solemnisation date. In practice, we recommend filing as soon as your date is confirmed especially if you’re solemnising at a popular venue or during a peak period. You can file up to six months in advance, and earlier is always safer.
Can we solemnise outside of ROM’s premises?
Yes. Many couples choose to solemnise at a hotel, restaurant, or outdoor venue. You’ll need to engage a licensed solemniser directly as they’re not provided through ROM for external venues, and ensure any venue or outdoor permits are in place. Your solemniser will guide you through the specifics.
What happens if we miss the 21-day window?
Your application lapses, and you’ll need to reapply and pay the registration fee again. This happens more often than you’d think where couples sometimes assume a planner or third party can file on their behalf, or underestimate how quickly the weeks move once a celebration is being planned. File as soon as your date is set.
We’re in a mixed-nationality relationship. Anything else we need to know?
Foreign nationals must meet the 15-day physical presence requirement before filing. Work Permit holders require MOM approval before they can apply. If your partner plans to live in Singapore after the wedding, look into the PMLA process early, it gives you more clarity before you’re in the middle of planning the celebration.
Do we need a wedding planner to navigate this?
No. The ROM process is manageable without a planner, and the OMJ portal walks you through each step. Where a planner adds value is in coordinating the solemnisation logistics, such as timing, venue, witnesses, and photography, so that the celebration runs smoothly alongside the legal process, not in conflict with it.
Continue your planning journey
Once you’re clear on the legal side, the next decisions involve what your solemnisation actually looks like, including venue options, what’s included in packages, and how to plan a ceremony that feels like yours.
If you’re planning a church wedding alongside or instead of a ROM ceremony, our Church Weddings in Singapore guide covers what to expect from banns, preparation courses, and the ceremony itself.
