Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI)
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) is responsible for registration of marriages between a foreign national and a Cambodian national that take place in Cambodia. Australian citizens are advised to seek advice directly from MFAIC. You could also refer to Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Canberra for further information.
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) advises they will not issue approval for marriages between a foreign man and a Cambodian woman where the foreigner does not earn at least USD2,500 per month. We recommend contacting MFAIC before requesting a CNI if these conditions apply to your circumstances. We are also aware of reports the Ministry of Interior (MoI) continues to enforce a previous policy prohibiting marriages between foreign men aged 50 and older to Cambodian women aged under 50. You should contact the MoI if this applies to your circumstances.
Completing a CNI does not mean you are legally married - you will still need to get married. The Cambodian Government has the authority to solemnise marriages in Cambodia.
To apply for a CNI, please follow the following steps:
- Complete the Application for Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage form. You must provide details for both yourself and your partner. Incomplete forms will not be processed. DO NOT SIGN THE FORM, as signatures must be witnessed at the Embassy.
- Book your appointment and attend the Embassy with your unsigned application form and original or certified true copies of supporting documents. These include:
- For you:
- Australian passport or foreign passport with Australian permanent resident visa or Australian birth certificate
- Divorce or death certificate (if divorced or widowed)
- Previous marriage certificate (if death certificate does not list details of the spouse of the deceased)
- For your partner:
- Passport or identity card (e.g. Cambodian passport or ID)
- Divorce or death certificate (if divorced or widowed)
- Previous marriage certificate (if death certificate does not list details of the spouse of the deceased)
- Supporting documents can be originals or certified true copies. If the documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by an English translation from a certified translator.
- Documents issued electronically are required to be verified. You will be asked to log in to the web portal or forward the original email from the issuing authority during your appointment. Otherwise, you can provide certified true copies.
Further information is available on Smartraveller about Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage and getting married overseas.