FERZ says: June 21, 2020
Hi Kiy, I’m in the exact situation (below) as you. I am Malaysian Muslim and my partner Vietnam Buddhist. Please do reply. Really feel lost with this issue. -Ferz
KIY says: May 12, 2017
Hi Mary (below),
I am a Muslim Malaysian and I’m getting married to a Christian Vietnamese in Vietnam. However, the Vietnam marriage registry requires single status certificate which is, like you mentioned, can only br provided to non-muslims. Please let me know your situation and if you have found a way in resolving this issue. -Kiy
KIY says: June 21, 2020
Hey Ferz, i was finally able to register my marriage in both malaysia and vietnam. As you know Malaysia would not accept an interfaith marriage, so what we did was we had a nikah in ho chi minh and bring the cert back to malaysia for registration. With the malaysian cert, we went back to vietnam and register our marriage there.
FERZ says: June 29, 2020
Hi all,
Thanks so much the replies. Ok, this is what I found out with my own research. Please bear with me and Kiy, do correct me if I’m wrong:
Request of Affidavit of Single Status Certificate (For Malaysian Muslim)
1.Don’t need to request from JPN or go Putrajaya. You can find any Commissioner of Oath (CO) that provide stamping & legalizing the single status document.
2.They are CO’s that already have their own copy of this letter. Do contact them before you go and request it.
3.Another way is to request (only stamp/signature/verification) from your employer (HOD/Manager), letter can be done by yourself according to templates (search the net).
4.This certificate however, can only be used within 6 months so timing is important as both parties (men & women) must have both of their single status letter ready.
5.Bring the document (make copies) and again you’ll need to stamp/legalize at the Embassy of Malaysia in Vietnam or the Peoples Committee/Home Ministry-Department of Marriages.
*For him/her (Vietnamese)- it’s the same. They have to get the letter from their district committee where she resides in.
Registration of marriage (Vietnam)
1.Registering in Vietnam for Civil Marriage is straightforward as authorities are not concern about the individuals’ race or religion.
2.Both must undergo a psychological test. In HCM there is a “Minh City Psychiatric Hospital”. Get the results together with your passport copies, ID card, any travel documents and you’re done to go ahead with the registration.
3.After, this is all submission and waiting, apparently between 10-14 working days.
Registration of Marriage (Malaysia) for Muslims marrying Foreigner.
1. For any local Malaysian intending to marry a foreigner, they have to first request a “letter of permission to marry overseas” from their state Islamic religious department.
2.In that letter, you must indicate both your names, location of marriage (nikah) and etc. Normally, is available in your state religious departments.
3.This letter is valid for 90 days. This letter is important as it is way to inform Malaysia authorities that you are having the solemnization in an official place i.e. the city’s’ main mosque that authorized by the Vietnamese Religious department (yes, it still exist).
4.Then you are free to conduct the nikah in Vietnam. After that, the nikah/marriage certificate (need clarification on whether this is issued by the mosque or by the marriage department, i’m not clear whether it’s the same or different certificate-need clarification from Kiy)
5.Bring all the documents to the embassy for translation and verification. Then you’re are done. These documents with (declaration of faith from your non-Muslim partner- again need info from Kiy what was the process for his wife). Additionally, pictures of the ceremony, and come back to Malaysia and submit the documents.
*Applicant must head to the state Islamic department in person for to register overseas marriage.
*There are some articles showing that the Malaysian Muslim spouse must also submit their pre-wedding course certificate (need more clarification) for registration.
*Both parties must undergo HIV test in Malaysia.
*You would also need “letter of permission to appoint a Wali (if the bride has no relatives whatsoever)- the form is available for download in the state Islamic department website.
*Both then will be called to the Islamic registration office (within the state Islamic department) and go through an interview , and eventually registration.
*All the necessary Malaysian Islamic department forms are available to download. Just fill in and submit it to the officer.
Question to Kiy:
1.How was the process of nikah/registration in Vietnam?
2.Did your spouse officially convert and did they issue a declaration of faith letter?
2.Which mosque specifically you went to? Or Office?
3.How long overall was the process?
4.How much was the overall cost of registration and ceremony in Vietnam?
Kiy, I’m hoping you can help me as, me and my partner were supposed to register this year, however due to Covid-19, we are postponing it to next year.
Thanks. –FERZ
FERZ says: June 29, 2020
I’m a Malaysian Muslim since I was born. My partner isn’t. I don’t have issues nor complications. The procedure may look complicated but it’s actually easy if you’re patient and follow the guidelines. My partner is open to conversion and is already starting to practice Islam values in her life.
I think it’s better to register in both countries. In the future, who knows we may or may not reside in Malaysia or Vietnam. So it gives us options.
Ok. When you register you’re marriage overseas, the Malaysia government gives you 6 months to register back in Malaysia.
If we don’t register within 6 months, or longer we have to submit our application for registration of marriage in the Shariah courts on valid reasons. That process is a hassle.
Registering in both countries gives our family options in the future. Our children can live, study and enjoy benefits from both sides.
Hope to hear from Kiy soon. -Ferz
Mary says: March 8, 2017
I’m a Malaysian muslim girl who wants to get married with my non muslim boyfriend in Spain and decide to stay there and not coming back to Malaysia. I did some research and one of the requirements to get married in Spain by civil marriage is to provide the single status certificate. My question is, can a muslim apply for the single status certificate in Malaysia? because I’ve heard that it’s only for non muslim. Please help. Thank you. –Mary
MALAYSIAN MARRIAGE LAWS:
Sources: Book, Laws
In Malaysia, the Federal Constitution is supreme and the freedom of religion is something that is guaranteed by the constitution under Article 11. When it comes to Family Law (namely marriage), there are two primary statutes, the Law Reform (marriage and divorce) Act 1976 (Civil Marriage) and the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 (Muslim Marriage). The Civil Marriage Act of 1976 specifically states, “This Act shall not apply to a Muslim.” Hence, in Malaysia there is no means for a Muslim to marry a non-Muslim under the Civil law. In fact, the Muslim who goes through a marriage or even cohabits with non-Muslim runs the risk of falling foul of a number of offences under State Syariah (the Malay spelling of “Sharia”) Criminal Law prohibiting fornication (zina) and close proximity (khalwat).
A Muslim must register his/her marriage under Islamic Family Law Act 1984. A marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims is prohibited under Islamic law, except in certain limited circumstances. A Muslim Man is allowed to marry a Kitabayah (People of the Book). A Kitabayah is a Christian woman whose ancestors were Christians before the prophethood of the Prophet Mohammad; or a Jewess whose ancestors were Jews before the prophethood of Jesus. With many other restrictions in place, in most cases, the non-Muslim needs to convert to Islam to register a marriage in Malaysia.
Malaysian citizens are given an identity card (MyKad), of which Muslims’ MyKad states religion as “Islam.” As stated above Muslims can marry only to a Muslim; this means the non-Muslim spouse must convert and make appropriate changes in the MyKad.
A marriage registered under the laws of a foreign country must be re-registered at the Malaysian Representative Office within 6 months of the date of marriage. A couple married outside Malaysia will not be able to register a Muslim to non-Muslim marriage in Malaysia and their children will not have the benefit of Malaysian citizenship. If the Muslim/non-Muslim couple married overseas comes to Malaysia, and someone calls the authorities on them, the Syariah authority will likely arrest the Muslim partner for zina and khalwat (since the marriage is not recognized in Malaysia).
Parallel to the civil courts, there are Syariah Courts that conduct legal matters related to the Muslim family sphere. Legal issues like Muslim divorce and Muslim apostasy are conducted in the Syariah Courts. Syariah laws do not apply to non-Muslims.
More information: Chritistian-Muslim Marriage, Love with Malay, Sharia, Koran, Bible, Marriage & Divorce laws in Malaysia.
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Hye admin, me and my bf (Islam) are planning to marry in Singapore as we are both holding a work permit.
Pls advise how can we marrry here in Singapore and get marry in Malaysia without converting to Islam.
Thank you
Reply at https://interfaithshaadi.org/muslim-non-muslim-marriage-in-malaysia/
Hi all,
Thanks so much the replies. Ok, this is what I found out with my own research. Please bear with me and Kiy, do correct me if I’m wrong:
Request of Affidavit of Single Status Certificate (For Malaysian Muslim)
1.Don’t need to request from JPN or go Putrajaya. You can find any Commissioner of Oath (CO) that provide stamping & legalizing the single status document.
2.They are CO’s that already have their own copy of this letter. Do contact them before you go and request it.
3.Another way is to request (only stamp/signature/verification) from your employer (HOD/Manager), letter can be done by yourself according to templates (search the net).
4.This certificate however, can only be used within 6 months so timing is important as both parties (men & women) must have both of their single status letter ready.
5.Bring the document (make copies) and again you’ll need to stamp/legalize at the Embassy of Malaysia in Vietnam or the Peoples Committee/Home Ministry-Department of Marriages.
*For him/her (Vietnamese)- it’s the same. They have to get the letter from their district committee where she resides in.
Registration of marriage (Vietnam)
1.Registering in Vietnam for Civil Marriage is straightforward as authorities are not concern about the individuals’ race or religion.
2.Both must undergo a psychological test. In HCM there is a “Minh City Psychiatric Hospital”. Get the results together with your passport copies, ID card, any travel documents and you’re done to go ahead with the registration.
3.After, this is all submission and waiting, apparently between 10-14 working days.
Registration of Marriage (Malaysia) for Muslims marrying Foreigner.
1. For any local Malaysian intending to marry a foreigner, they have to first request a “letter of permission to marry overseas” from their state Islamic religious department.
2.In that letter, you must indicate both your names, location of marriage (nikah) and etc. Normally, is available in your state religious departments.
3.This letter is valid for 90 days. This letter is important as it is way to inform Malaysia authorities that you are having the solemnization in an official place i.e. the city’s’ main mosque that authorized by the Vietnamese Religious department (yes, it still exist).
4.Then you are free to conduct the nikah in Vietnam. After that, the nikah/marriage certificate (need clarification on whether this is issued by the mosque or by the marriage department, i’m not clear whether it’s the same or different certificate-need clarification from Kiy)
5.Bring all the documents to the embassy for translation and verification. Then you’re are done. These documents with (declaration of faith from your non-Muslim partner- again need info from Kiy what was the process for his wife). Additionally, pictures of the ceremony, and come back to Malaysia and submit the documents.
*Applicant must head to the state Islamic department in person for to register overseas marriage.
*There are some articles showing that the Malaysian Muslim spouse must also submit their pre-wedding course certificate (need more clarification) for registration.
*Both parties must undergo HIV test in Malaysia.
*You would also need “letter of permission to appoint a Wali (if the bride has no relatives whatsoever)- the form is available for download in the state Islamic department website.
*Both then will be called to the Islamic registration office (within the state Islamic department) and go through an interview , and eventually registration.
*All the necessary Malaysian Islamic department forms are available to download. Just fill in and submit it to the officer.
Question to Kiy:
1.How was the process of nikah/registration in Vietnam?
2.Did your spouse officially convert and did they issue a declaration of faith letter?
2.Which mosque specifically you went to? Or Office?
3.How long overall was the process?
4.How much was the overall cost of registration and ceremony in Vietnam?
Kiy, I’m hoping you can help me as, me and my partner were supposed to register this year, however due to Covid-19, we are postponing it to next year.
Thanks.
Dear Ferz,
Wow, it is so complex to get married interfaith.
Do you really want to convert to Islam? Was that your life desire or are you doing it just to please the authority? If you were not in love relationship with a Muslim, would you still have converted to Islam?
After marriage, are you planning to settle in Malaysia? If not, can you skip registration in Malaysia now? Malay will get a single certificate and get married in Vietnam. When you travel to Malaysia, it is not a big issue a Buddhist-Muslim couple visiting for a few days. Later, if you do decide to settle in Malaysia, at that time re-register your marriage in Malaysia. Why do it now? Explain us.
Do not disclose your identity on any public forum, that could put you in legal trouble some day.
Hi Admin,
I’m a Malaysian Muslim since I was born. My partner isn’t. I don’t have issues nor complications. The procedure may look complicated but it’s actually easy if you’re patient and follow the guidelines. My partner is open to conversion and is already starting to practice Islam values in her life.
I think it’s better to register in both countries. In the future, who knows we may or may not reside in Malaysia or Vietnam. So it gives us options.
Ok. When you register you’re marriage overseas, the Malaysia government gives you 6 months to register back in Malaysia.
If we don’t register within 6 months, or longer we have to submit our application for registration of marriage in the Shariah courts on valid reasons. That process is a hassle.
Registering in both countries gives our family options in the future. Our children can live, study and enjoy benefits from both sides.
Not revealing any personal information. Anyway, I choose to do this the right way, as per both government demands. So I’m not worried. This process is a hassle but it’s a short term hassle for a long term benefit.
Hope to hear from Kiy soon.
Thanks. Please update.
Just to understand the process, if someone don’t want to convert now and wishes to by-pass the Malaysian government marriage registration, is that possible?
They can follow this process:
1) Ask Malaysian government for a “single certificate” under any reason (just make up some reason if necessary),
2) once you have that single certificate, get married in Vietnam (by secular or Buddhist way),
3) if visit Malaysia, there is no issue as a tourist for the couple,
4) if wish to decide to settle in Malaysia, at that time go through the hassle (if worth it) and register the marriage in Malaysia then (but now now).
Is above process feasible (not you but for someone else)? We need to explain it to other needy youths on this site and that is why we are trying to understand. Note we are sitting in America and don’t know exact legality and practices in your region. Thank you for educating us and others. Many others will thank you, and for years to come.
Hey Ferz, i was finally able to register my marriage in both malaysia and vietnam. As you know Malaysia would not accept an interfaith marriage, so what we did was we had a nikah in ho chi minh and bring the cert back to malaysia for registration. With the malaysian cert, we went back to vietnam and register our marriage there.
Hi Kiy, thank you for getting back and updating us. Since you are in Vietnam, will not Malaysia simply provide the other party’s single certificate? A Malay Muslim citizen cannot marry outside their faith, even in other countries?
For Nikah, as we understood, you must take the Sahadah (conversion to Islam) by an Imam in ho chi minh. Is that correct? was converting to Islam your wish or you did just to please the Malay government? Did you also had a church wedding too?
If Vietnam government wanted a single certificate for your marriage, can you ask Malaysian government to provide “single” status certificate for a different need, like for estate planning or for financial reasons? Once you get that “single” certificate, that truth can be use for your registration in Vietnam. Is this not true? PLEASE EXPLAIN US, thank you.
Hi all,
Thanks so much the replies. Ok, this is what I found out with my own research. Please bear with me and Kiy, do correct me if I’m wrong:
Request of Affidavit of Single Status Certificate (For Malaysian Muslim)
1.Don’t need to request from JPN or go Putrajaya. You can find any Commissioner of Oath (CO) that provide stamping & legalizing the single status document.
2.They are CO’s that already have their own copy of this letter. Do contact them before you go and request it.
3.Another way is to request (only stamp/signature/verification) from your employer (HOD/Manager), letter can be done by yourself according to templates (search the net).
4.This certificate however, can only be used within 6 months so timing is important as both parties (men & women) must have both of their single status letter ready.
5.Bring the document (make copies) and again you’ll need to stamp/legalize at the Embassy of Malaysia in Vietnam or the Peoples Committee/Home Ministry-Department of Marriages.
*For him/her (Vietnamese)- it’s the same. They have to get the letter from their district committee where she resides in.
Registration of marriage (Vietnam)
1.Registering in Vietnam for Civil Marriage is straightforward as authorities are not concern about the individuals’ race or religion.
2.Both must undergo a psychological test. In HCM there is a “Minh City Psychiatric Hospital”. Get the results together with your passport copies, ID card, any travel documents and you’re done to go ahead with the registration.
3.After, this is all submission and waiting, apparently between 10-14 working days.
Registration of Marriage (Malaysia) for Muslims marrying Foreigner.
1. For any local Malaysian intending to marry a foreigner, they have to first request a “letter of permission to marry overseas” from their state Islamic religious department.
2.In that letter, you must indicate both your names, location of marriage (nikah) and etc. Normally, is available in your state religious departments (website or ask the officer).
3.This letter is valid for 90 days. This letter is important as it is way to inform Malaysia authorities that you are having the solemnization in an official place i.e. the city’s’ main mosque that authorized by the Vietnamese Religious department (yes, it exist).
4.Then you are free to conduct the nikah in Vietnam. After that, the nikah/marriage certificate (need clarification on whether this is issued by the mosque or by the marriage department, i’m not clear whether it’s the same or different certificate-need clarification from Kiy)
5.Bring all the documents to the embassy for translation and verification. Then you’re are done. These documents with (declaration of faith from your non-Muslim partner- again need info from Kiy what was the process for his wife). Additionally, pictures of the ceremony, and come back to Malaysia and submit the documents.
*Applicant must head to the state Islamic department in person for to register overseas marriage.
*There are some articles showing that the Malaysian Muslim spouse must also submit their pre-wedding course certificate (need more clarification) for registration.
*Both parties must undergo HIV test in Malaysia.
*You would also need “letter of permission to appoint a Wali (if the bride has no relatives whatsoever)- the form is available for download in the state Islamic department website.
*Both then will be called to the Islamic registration office (within the state Islamic department) and go through an interview , and eventually registration.
*All the necessary Malaysian Islamic department forms are available to download. Just fill in and submit it to the officer.
Question to Kiy:
1.How was the process of nikah/registration in Vietnam?
2.Did your spouse officially convert and did they issue a declaration of faith letter?
2.Which mosque specifically you went to? Or Office?
3.How long overall was the process?
4.How much was the overall cost of registration and ceremony in Vietnam?
Kiy, I’m hoping you can help me as, me and my partner were supposed to register this year, however due to Covid-19, we are postponing it to next year.
Hopefully, we can speak. Please do email me at ofgunnar@gmail.com
I have Zalo too, do email me and we’ll exchange there.
Thanks.
Hi Ferz, we will contact Key and Mary if they can provide more specifics. Please clarify, the issue is getting a single certificate from Malaysian government for your Muslim lover? Have you contacted Malaysian embassy in Vietnam? Have you contacted to local marriage bureau of your Malaysian friend? We are very much interested in helping you out, so do get back with more specifics. Thank you.