Getting Married Overseas — The Singapore Documents You Need Apostilled

The marriage-abroad document checklist

Almost every destination asks for some version of these:

Two things surprise people:

1. 1Singapore does not issue a "certificate of no impediment" (CNI). ROM and the Singapore embassies in Beijing and Tokyo all say so. You use a ROM marriage-record search, a statutory declaration, or an embassy affidavit based on that search.
2. 2The ROM search only covers marriages registered in Singapore. ROM says a marriage solemnised overseas does not appear in its search. That is why some countries also want a sworn declaration.

Not sure what your destination accepts? Check it on our apostille countries list.

Requirements by wedding destination

Rules below come from the Singapore embassies in each country. Always confirm with the local marriage office too.

China

The Singapore Embassy in Beijing lists an official Search for Marriage Record from ROM/ROMM, duly legalised. Previous marriage or divorce papers are also needed where relevant. As an alternative, you can make a statutory declaration of marital status in person at the Embassy. Since China joined the Apostille Convention in November 2023, "legalised" means an SAL apostille, with no Chinese Embassy step. Most marriage offices want a Simplified Chinese translation. More on this: apostille for China.

Thailand

There are two routes. In Bangkok, the Singapore Embassy certifies copies of your ROM marriage search result, passport and IC; you then get a Thai translation legalised by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (up to 3 working days). From Singapore, documents go through SAL and then the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore, because Thailand's apostille membership only takes effect on 28 February 2027. Either way, you register at a district office with two witnesses and a Thai interpreter. See apostille for Thailand.

Japan

You make a statutory declaration of marital status at the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo, by appointment with your partner. Bring two hardcopies of the Digital Marriage Search Result issued within three months, plus divorce documents if relevant. The ward office also asks for your birth certificate, and a Japanese translation may be required.

South Korea

The Singapore Embassy in Seoul issues an affidavit of eligibility of marriage within one working day. It is based on your ROM digital search printout, your passport and NRIC, and a certified divorce decree if relevant. You arrange the Korean translation yourself. See apostille for South Korea.

Spain, Vietnam and Malaysia

• Spain: expect SAL apostilles plus sworn Spanish translation. See apostille for Spain.
• Vietnam: the Apostille Convention has applied between Singapore and Vietnam since 11 September 2026. See apostille for Vietnam.
• Malaysia: not a Hague member, so documents need Malaysian High Commission legalisation after SAL. See Malaysia document legalisation.

If you were divorced or widowed before

If you have been married before, every destination will want proof that the earlier marriage ended:

• Divorced in Singapore: the Family Justice Courts' certificate of final judgment (the certificate making the interim judgment final). This is a court document, so SAL apostilles it directly.
• Widowed: your late spouse's ICA death certificate, apostilled directly by SAL.
• Divorced overseas: the foreign decree must be authenticated in the country that issued it. SAL cannot apostille a foreign document.
• Name changed since: bring the deed poll or other name-change document, so your passport, birth certificate and divorce papers can be linked.

Order any missing ones first; court copies and replacement certificates take longest.

How early to start preparing wedding documents

Aim for two to three months before the wedding. Do not start much earlier than that.

• Too early is a real risk. Japan's ward offices want the ROM search result issued within three months, and other countries set similar windows. A search pulled six months ahead may be stale by the ceremony.
• Allow for translation. Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Korean and Spanish translations add days, and sworn Spanish translation takes longest.
• Allow for embassy legalisation in non-Hague countries (Thailand until February 2027, Malaysia, UAE). That adds a separate embassy visit after SAL. See embassy legalisation service.
• Book embassy appointments early if the declaration happens at a Singapore Embassy abroad (Japan) or at the foreign country's embassy here.

A practical order: pull the ROM search, order any missing certificates, then SAL, then translation, then embassy legalisation if needed. Check fees on apostille price.

After the wedding: registering your marriage in Singapore

You do not have to register an overseas marriage in Singapore. ROM says registration "is voluntary and not a legal requirement under the Women's Charter". The Singapore Embassy in Seoul likewise notes that no provision in the Women's Charter requires couples to re-register an overseas marriage.

If you do register (some couples want a Singapore record for HDB, bank or future paperwork):

• Apply through the Our Marriage Journey website. ROM does not accept walk-ins.
• Fee: SGD 75, paid by NETS on the day of your ROM appointment.
• Review: ROM may take up to two weeks to review your request.
• Documents: the original foreign marriage certificate, a copy endorsed by that country's foreign ministry (or apostilled), and further endorsed by the Singapore Embassy there or that country's embassy in Singapore. An endorsed English translation is needed if it is in another language. Both parties' ID and any previous-marriage papers are also required.

You can also update your marital status in Singpass, which updates Myinfo but does not produce a Singapore marriage certificate. Our marriage certificate apostille page covers using a Singapore marriage certificate abroad later.