Singaporebrides | Weddings 101

October 2018

Everything About Registry of Marriages (ROM) That You Need To Know

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Congrats! You’ve popped the question and are now officially engaged to the love of your life! But wait, what’s next?

Update: 9 June 2022

If you’re as lost as I was when I got engaged over three years ago, don’t worry, we’re here to guide you. Now that the surprise proposal and feelings of nervousness and happiness have settled down, it’s time to turn your attention to the more serious aspects of your upcoming marriage, such as making it official at the Registry of Marriages (ROM). Before you take the next step, read up on our guide to everything you need to know about registering your marriage!

1. Submit a Marriage Application

Rachel and Hui’s Tropical Eclectic Wedding at Corner House by Yipmage Moments

First things first, you need to submit a marriage application, and you can do so online at the Registry of Marriages website, at the onsite Internet kiosks located at the ROM office or at Citizen Connect Centres (CCC).

However, do take note that you can only do so at least 21 days or up to three months before the date of solemnisation. Refer to ROM’s homepage if you are unsure on the earliest and latest date you are able to apply for the Notice of Marriage.

2. Things You Need to Submit a Marriage Application

Carissa and Keith’s Intimate Wedding at Zafferano with A Relationship Gallery Wall by Natalie Wong Photography

Before you proceed to submit a marriage application, make sure you have these essential information and/or documents with you:

  • NRICs of the Groom, Bride, and two witnesses above 21 years of age, or if they are foreigners, their passports
  • Date, time and full address of the venue (for solemnisations at a venue outside of ROM) of solemnisation
  • Name and licence number of your solemniser
  • A print-out of the “Solemniser Consent Form” form to be signed by a licensed solemniser (for solemnisations at a venue outside of ROM)
  • Credit card (for fee payment for notices filed online) or NETS / Cashcard (fee payment for notices filed at ROM’s e-Kiosks

    • At the end of your successful application, remember to print a copy of the payment receipt, Filing Instructions and “Invitation to Solemnise a Marriage” form if you are having your solemnisation at a venue outside of ROM. There is also a handy checklist provided by ROM to help you with your registering process.

    3. Verification of Documents and Statutory Declaration

    Felicia and Jonathan’s Lively and Colourful Wedding at The Alkaff Mansion and The Church or St. Francis Xavier by Sloth Creatives Weddings

    After you’ve submitted a marriage application, you’ll be asked to go down to the Registry of Marriages, usually 1 to 14 working days before your solemnisation date, for the verification of documents and statutory declaration. Both the bride and groom will need to be present. If you have opted in for a video link appointment instead, once you have been assessed as eligible for a video link appointment, you will receive your pre-filled appointment documents and a video link via email before your appointment date.

    For couples with an in-person appointment, these are the documents they are required to bring along:

  • Filing Instructions
  • NRIC of Bride and Groom for Singapore citizens or permanent residents, or passports for foreigners
  • Photocopy or digital copies of NRIC or Passport (for foreigners) of the 2 witnesses
  • For solemnisations at a venue outside of ROM, the document showing Licensed Solemniser’s consent to solemnise your marriage, either the Solemniser Consent Form signed by the solemniser (for bookings not done via Singpass) or email notification on solemniser booking confirmation (for bookings made via Singpass login)

    • For couples with a video link appointment, you should make sure these conditions are fulfilled:

  • Working internet access
  • Working tablet or laptop with web camera, speaker and microphone
  • Ensure both of you can log into your respective SingPass accounts
  • Install Microsoft Teams application or any other video conferencing application as required by ROM
  • Documents sent to you by ROM (Form A)
  • If you are signing digitally – install e-signing software (Adobe Acrobat Fill, Docusign, Eversign, etc.)
  • If you are doing a physical signature (in black ink) – print out the document sent to you (Form A)

    • For more details regarding your appointment to verify documents and sign a statutory declaration, please click here.

    4. What You Need For a Solemnisation at ROM and at A Venue Outside ROM

    Shi Hui and Zewei’s Cosy Wedding at Keyaki Garden Pavilion by Lam Wang Photography

    In light of the current COVID-19 situation, you are advised to check and observe any attendance cap and safe management measures for solemnisations. For solemnisations at the ROM building, only the bride and groom, and their two witnesses are required to be present. A solemniser on duty that day will be assigned to you, so you don’t need to invite one along. You, your groom, and two witnesses will need to bring along your original NRIC or Passport for the solemnisation ceremony. The ceremony will take approximately 10 minutes, and once you are pronounced man and wife, you are officially married!

    For solemnisations at a venue outside of ROM, you will need to invite a licensed solemniser of your own choice and get his or her consent to solemnise your marriage by signing a consent form before the date of solemnisation. On the day of your solemnisation, your solemniser will be required to be present alongside with you and your groom, and your two witnesses. In addition to the original NRIC or Passport of you, your groom, and two witnesses, you will need to present the documents collected from ROM during your verification of documents and statutory declaration appointment, and hand it over to your solemniser.

    After the solemnisation and signing on the marriage certificate, the Certificate of Marriage (white coloured copy) will be returned to ROM by your licensed solemniser, if your solemnisation ceremony is outside of ROM, while the newlyweds will be given a Copy of Certificate of Marriage (coloured copy).

    For video link solemnisations, the individuals and the documents required remain the same. The only difference is, upon completion of the ceremony, the bride, groom and two witnesses are required to email their respective white copies (scanned or JPEG) of the signed marriage certificate to ROM. All original white copies of the signed marriage certificate are to be returned to ROM using the prepaid envelopes provided. Your marriage will be registered when ROM receives all the white copies complete with signatures. They will then mail you the marriage certificate (coloured) signed by the solemniser. All the other copies (white) will be retained by ROM.

    5. Look For a Solemnisation Venue

    Wai San and Si Wei’s Intimate Wedding at Floral Fantasy by Dapper Pictures

    For those of you who are planning on solemnising outside of the ROM building, it’s time to search for the perfect venue to exchange your vows at after you’ve got all the necessary paperwork done for your upcoming solemnisation. Whether you are searching for a cosy and intimate location or a unique space by the beach, waterfront or charmingly sequestered in plenty of greenery, you are bound to find your dream venue in our ultimate list of solemnisation venues in Singapore.

    6. Confirm a Licensed Solemniser For Your Solemnisation Outside of ROM

    Ame and Shaun’s Tropical Boho Wedding at W Singapore-Sentosa Cove by Love Me Tender Films

    For solemnisations outside of ROM, couples will have to find and book their own licensed solemniser to officiate their wedding. To spare you busy brides the task of surfing through numerous wedding forums in search for recommended solemnisers, we’ve done the footwork and put together a list of 40 solemnisers who are still officiating weddings, recommended by real brides-to-be, for couples who are getting married in 2022/2023.

    It is recommended to book your solemniser three months before your solemnisation date but you may contact your preferred solemniser more than three months in advance to check on their availability and book their services, especially if they are very popular. However, do take note that some may not accept bookings too far in advance.

    For more selections of solemnisers, couples can also check out the full list of authorised solemnisers on the ROM website.

    7. What You Need to Know About Registering For a Destination Wedding

    Annabel and Joel’s Gorgeous Bali Pre-Wedding Session by Darren and Jade Photography

    Planning a destination wedding and not sure whether you need to register your marriage in Singapore prior to your overseas wedding, or if you need to re-register when you get back home? Fret not, our guide to registry of marriage for destination weddings has everything you need to know about registering your marriage overseas and the registry of marriage procedures in popular countries in the region.

    8. A Step-by-Step Guide on Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Wedding

    Ming Tong and Daryl’s Honest and Raw Wedding with Gold Accents and Sustainable Elements at Botanico at The Garage by Bottled Groove Photography

    After you’ve filed for a Notice of Marriage and settled all the paperwork necessary for your solemnisation, it’s time to plan your wedding! From picking an auspicious date for your big day to figuring out traditional Chinese wedding customs and setting a wedding budget, let our step-by-step wedding guide show you the way to a fuss and stress free wedding planning.

    For more information on registering your marriage, you can visit ROM’s FAQ page here.

    Registry of Marriages

    Address: 7, Canning Rise Singapore 179869
    Tel (info): 6338 9987
    Tel (main): 6338 7808
    Website: www.rom.com.sg
    Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays: 8.30 am – 12.30 noon, 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm // Saturdays: 8.00 am – 12 noon // Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

    Credits: Feature Image from Zona and Jeff’s Dreamy Secret Garden Wedding at The Summerhouse by Bobby Kiran Photography

    All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeBrides.

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