How to Get Married in Singapore & How Much Does It Cost?

Marriage is a significant milestone and a new chapter of life for couples in Singapore. It marks a brand new life ahead for the couple, and the process of getting married is simple yet complicated as it requires proper planning ahead. If you’re not sure how to get married in Singapore, this article will explain in detail everything you need to know. 

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Singapore

First things first, when it comes to how to get married in Singapore, it’s important to know the legal requirements. Here are the legal requirements: 

• Minimum age of 21 years old.
• No existing marriages are allowed.
• Need to notify the ROM that you both wish to marry at least 21 days before or within three months of the wedding date.

Documents Needed for Marriage Registration in Singapore

Here are the required documents for registering your marriage in Singapore: 

• Personal identification such as NRIC or passport.
• Personal identification of two witnesses who are above the age of 21.
• Invitation or notice to solemnize a marriage signed by the solemnizer.
• For those who are divorced or widowed, you may be required to provide the death certificate or divorce papers of your previous spouse. 

Step-by-Step Process of Registering Your Marriage in Singapore

Here’s a step-by-step guide to registering your marriage in Singapore: 

Step 1: Book your Solemniser 

If you are planning to have your solemnization outside of ROM, you’ll need to hire a solemnizer to lead you both through the vows as well as check the submitted required documents. But if you’re having your solemnization during your ROM, then the ROM can solemnize your marriage instead. 

Step 2: File Your Marriage Application 

Once you’ve decided on your solemnisation, you need to submit your marriage application, which is also referred to as a Notice of Marriage on the ROM website. This step must be completed within a minimum of 21 days before your solemnization and must be married within 3 months once it has been approved. 

Step 3: Pay for Your Marriage Registration 

Once you’ve submitted your marriage application, you’ll need to pay for the fees which are on average $42 if you’re a Singaporean and Permanent Resident, while if both of you are foreigners, then it’ll be $380. 

Step 4: Complete the Statutory Declaration 

At this step, you and your spouse are required to verify and declare the documents and confirm your intention to marry each other. This has to be done a minimum of 10 days before the solemnization date. 

Step 5: Get your Digital Marriage Certificate 

To get a marriage certificate, after your wedding ceremony, you will receive your digital marriage certificate, which is official proof that you and your spouse are legally married in Singapore.

Choosing a Solemnization Venue 

Couples are free to choose their solemnization venue in Singapore, which is either at the ROM office or any other external venue. 

1. ROM Office 

Having your solemnization at the ROM office is a perfect choice if you wish to have a simple, straightforward solemnization. It’s also pretty quick and requires little to no planning. 

2. External Venues 

If you prefer to plan a unique and personalized solemnization, you can do so by hosting it in external venues such as restaurants or hotels. This includes extra cost as you’ll have to hire a solemnizer as well as pay for decorations, catering and so on. 

Hiring a Licensed Solemnizer in Singapore

Solemnization is one of the important steps when getting married. It’s mandatory for all marriages to be solemnized by a licensed solemnizer in order to legalize the marriage. 

For those of you who are planning on having your solemnization outside of the ROM Office, you need to hire a professional licensed solemnizer. You can consider looking through the list of solemnizers by ROM and find the one that’s suitable for you. 

But if you’re having your solemnization at the ROM Office, there will already be an in-house solemnizer. 

Cost of Marriage Registration Fees in Singapore

The total cost of marriage registration in Singapore fees depends on the couple’s nationality and solemnization venue. Here is a brief breakdown: 

1. For Singaporean and Permanent Residents 

The marriage registration fee is $42. 

2. For Foreigners 

If both spouses are foreigners, it will be $380. 

3. If Your Solemnization Venue is an External Venue 

Aside from the basic fees above, you’ll also need to pay additional costs if you choose an external venue for your solemnization such as transportation fee and the solemnizer’s fee. 

The Cost You Need to Consider Before Getting Married 

Aside from the marriage registration fees, how much does a wedding cost in Singapore? Well, besides the marriage registration fees, there are also other extra costs involved while planning a wedding in Singapore. Here are some typical costs for a standard wedding:

1. Wedding Venue 

The wedding venue is probably the most costly as it could range from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the type of venue and location. For luxurious hotels, it will cost more than a standard restaurant. 

2. Decorations 

You’ll also have to consider the cost of decorations during your wedding. Some of them include door gifts, table decorations, flowers, and more. If you have a special theme for your wedding, it will cost extra to get the right decorations that match the theme. 

3. Wedding Attire 

This is probably one of the most important steps as money will be spent on getting the perfect wedding gown for the bride and a stylish suit for the groom. On average, the cost for wedding attire can be between $3,000 to $5,000. 

4. Professional Photography and Videography

All couples would want to get professional wedding photos and videos taken during their big wedding day. You can either hire freelance photographers, videographers, or professional companies offering this service. The average cost will be between $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the skills and experience. 

At La Belle Couture, we offer a range of photography services, including pre-wedding photography, actual day wedding photography and actual day videography. 

5. Bridal Makeup

Additionally, the brides and grooms will want to look perfect throughout their wedding day, therefore, spending on bridal makeup artist on the wedding day is a must since there will be a lot of guest sessions as well as photograph moments to capture the beautiful memories with friends and family. Also, we would want the wedding book pictures to look flawless.

The average cost of wedding makeup service in Singapore ranges between $200 to $1100, depending on the package provided by the makeup artist.

6. Entertainment 

Most couples would hire an emcee as well as another form of entertainment such as a live band or music. The cost would range between $400 to $4,000. 

Tips for Planning a Budget-Friendly Wedding in Singapore

Planning a wedding could sometimes burn a hole in your pocket. Here are some ways you can save money for your wedding: 

• Choose a non-peak period date: Consider choosing a wedding date during an off-peak season such as weekdays. 
• Create a small guest list: Try to limit your guest list and invite only the important people in your lives. This helps to reduce the cost of venue, door gifts, and catering. 
• Tone down on the decorations: Instead of using extravagant decorations, try to use minimalistic and simple decorations instead. 

Things to Know About Marrying a Foreigner in Singapore 

If you’re planning to marry a non-Singaporean and unsure about the things needed to know how to get married in Singapore for foreigners, don’t worry, it’s not that complicated. There are some things that are important to take note of if you plan to marry a foreigner in Singapore. 

Foreigners need to prepare documents such as a valid passport and visa. Besides that, If the foreign spouse wishes to reside in Singapore, he or she may be required to apply for a Dependent’s Pass or Long-term Visit Pass.

Conclusion 

Now that you’ve learned a thing or two about how to get married in Singapore, it’ll be easier to start planning your wedding without many worries. At the very least, you also know roughly how much a wedding costs in Singapore. The key is to ensure that you plan ahead of time so that there are no last-minute hiccups or issues. 

If you’re looking for the perfect wedding packages in Singapore, consider checking out La Belle Couture! We offer a wide range of bridal wedding packages to choose, get in touch with us today!