Alternatively, it is possible to have a cohabitation agreement samenlevingscontract drawn up by a civil-law notary. Partners can also choose to live together without any formal agreement. Marriages are conducted by a Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Registered Partnerships ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand.
Certain matters related to marriage are regulated by law. Parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and brothers and sisters are forbidden to marry each other in the Netherlands, although a dispensation may be granted for adoptive siblings. In order to marry in the Netherlands, at least one of the partners must be a Dutch national or resident in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, partners must register their intention to marry with the Registrar of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Registered Partnerships at least 2 weeks in advance. They can do this at a municipal office. Most municipalities also allow you to do this online. This advance notification melding van voorgenomen huwelijk is required by law. As of 1 January , when partners marry in the Netherlands, the system of limited community of property applies automatically, unless the partners have made other arrangements in a marriage contract drawn up by a civil-law notary.
Marriage in limited community of property means that the partners do not share all property and debts. Marriage in general community of property means that all property and debts are shared by the partners. This system applies to all marriages concluded in the Netherlands before 1 January , unless the spouses had agreed otherwise in a marriage contract. The future spouses may decide to have a marriage contract drawn up by a civil-law notary. In this contract they can make agreements on how they wish to diverge from the general rules that apply to the limited or general community of property.
Marriages that have been solemnised in another country must be registered in the Netherlands. First the marriage certificate must be authenticated. The authentication procedure differs according to the country in which the marriage was concluded.
