OVERVIEW

Mixed marriages have long been regulated in Indonesia under Law No. 1 of 1974 on Marriage(“Marriage Law”). In general terms and under the definition in the Marriage Law, a mixed marriage is a marriage between an Indonesian and a foreign citizen. For the purposes of the Marriage Law, it is the nationality of each spouse that is relevant with marriages between spouses of different religious beliefs or races not falling under the definition of mixed marriages despite the broader more common usage of the term being otherwise.

In general, legally speaking marriage involves two distinct aspects: 1) the procedures to perform the marriage; and 2) the legal consequences of the marriage. These two aspects apply to both marriages solely between Indonesian citizens and also mixed marriages. The later, however, is more complex, as it requires additional administrative requirements.