Bekasi to register ‘unofficial marriages’

Bekasi regency's population and civil registration agency plans to register couples of unofficial marriage, locally known as nikah siri, in 23 districts.

H Aspuri, head of the agency, told Antara news agency, that the office has ordered the districts to collect information of unofficial marriage couples and later to register them at Bekasi Religious Court.

Nikah siri is usually held in front of a Muslim cleric, not recognized by the Religious Affairs Ministry but valid within Islamic law provided witnesses are present.

The government has said that unregistered marriages were an administrative violation since under existing regulations, marriages should be registered before a religious court.

“It would be difficult for these couples' children, because they need their parents legal marriage certificates to obtain legal birth certificates,” Aspuri said.