By the WahLiao desk · Last verified 29 September 2026

Foreigners can marry in Singapore through the Registry of Marriages (ROM). If either partner is not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, at least one of you must have been in Singapore for 31 continuous days, in a single stay, before you apply. Apply online at least 21 days, and no more than six months, before the wedding date. You both need to be 21 or over, with two witnesses aged 21 or over, and a licensed solemniser marries you.

A Singapore civil marriage is quick, well organised and recognised internationally, which is why many couples who live here marry here. The only real planning points are the 31-day rule and the notice period.

Getting married: quick facts

The 31-day rule	If either partner is not a citizen or PR, one of you must stay 31 continuous days in one trip before applying (the day of arrival does not count)
When to apply	Online, at least 21 days and up to 6 months before the wedding
Age	21 or over; younger partners need consent and extra steps
Witnesses	Two, aged 21 or over, with their passports or NRICs
Declaration	Online for eligible couples, or at a verification appointment in person or by video
Muslim marriages	Through the Registry of Muslim Marriages instead

The WahLiao Verdict

Effort	Light: an online application, a declaration and the ceremony.
The catch	The 31-day stay, which must be one continuous visit.
Plan for	At least three weeks between application and wedding.
Bring	Passports, witnesses’ IDs and any divorce or death certificates for earlier marriages.
Worth knowing	Marrying does not by itself give a foreign spouse the right to live here.

Who can marry in Singapore

Neither partner may be married to anyone else, and anyone previously married must show the marriage was legally ended. Both should be 21 or over; partners aged 18 to 20 need parental consent and a marriage preparation programme, and those under 18 need a special licence. If either partner is not a citizen or PR, one of you must have stayed in Singapore for 31 continuous days, in a single trip and not counting the day you arrived, at any time before the application.

How to apply

1. Choose a date, a venue and a licensed solemniser, or marry at the Registry.
2. Apply online on the Registry’s marriage portal at least 21 days, and up to six months, before the date, with both partners’ and the witnesses’ details, and pay the fee.
3. Make the statutory declaration online if eligible, or attend a verification appointment in person or by video with original documents.
4. On the day, the solemniser marries you in front of two witnesses, and you receive your marriage certificate.

After the wedding

A marriage does not give a foreign spouse the right to live in Singapore. The spouse of an Employment Pass or S Pass holder can apply for a Dependant’s Pass; the spouse of a citizen or PR applies to ICA for a Long-Term Visit Pass. Citizens marrying a current or former Work Permit holder need MOM’s approval first.

Getting married: FAQ

Can foreigners get married in Singapore?

Yes. If neither is a citizen or PR, one of you must stay in Singapore for 31 continuous days before applying to the Registry of Marriages.

How far ahead must we apply?

At least 21 days and no more than six months before the wedding.

How many witnesses do we need?

Two, both aged 21 or over.

Is a Singapore marriage recognised abroad?

Singapore civil marriages are widely recognised, but check with your home country’s authorities about registering it there.

Read next

This page belongs to Moving to Singapore. Planning a family? Read having a baby in Singapore.

Sources checked 29 September 2026: Registry of Marriages on Ask.gov.sg, marrying a foreigner; Registry of Marriages, overview of the civil marriage process; Registry of Marriages, FAQs on civil marriages; MFA on marrying a Work Permit holder. General information, not legal advice. Last updated 29 September 2026.