BHUTAN MARRIAGE ACT – 1980

(Marriage with a non- Bhutanese)

  Kha – 2 Marriage with a non – Bhutanese.

 Kha–2-1. If a Bhutanese citizen wants to obtain a marriage a marriage certificate from a curt of law to enter into matrimony with a non-Bhutanese spouse whether residing in the kingdom or outside, he/she will be required to produce two person as guarantors before the court.  One of them must be a reliable Bhutanese citizen in the knowledge of the court and both of them about the bridge and groom. Thereafter, the matter shall be processed in accordance with articles (kha-5) as mentioned above. 

 Kha 2-2.   The question whether a non-Bhutanese spouse shall acquire Bhutanese citizenship or not, whether she/he shall be allowed to live in the kingdom or no shall depend on the Citizenship Act, traditional and cultural requirements and the Government directives issued from time to time. 

Kha 2-3.    A non- Bhutanese married to a Bhutanese spouse must abide by the following rules and regulations irrespective of weather he/she acquires a citizenship. 

 Kha 2-4.   Any Bhutanese citizen working under the Government of Bhutan shall not be granted promotion with effect from June 11, 1977 if married to a non–Bhutanese or such a person will never get promotion beyond the post he/she held at time of marriage with a non- Bhutanese. Such a person shall not be promoted beyond the post of sub-division officer. 

Kha 2-5.    Which ever post a Bhutanese citizen hold prior to marriage with a non- Bhutanese or prior to June 11, 1977, such a person shall not be granted promotion beyond the post he hold from the date of marriage with a non- Bhutanese or after June, 1977. 

 Kha 2-6.   Any Bhutanese citizen employed in to national defence department or in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be removed from such service if he/she is married to non-Bhutanese. No Bhutanese shall be employed in these two departments if married to a non- Bhutanese. 

 Kha 2- 7. A Bhutanese citizen whatever status he/ she may enjoy shall not be entitled to other facilities and welfare of the Government including the following assistance upon marriage with a non-Bhutanese.

a.           Distribution of land

b.            Cash loans

c.            Seeds for cultivation and oxen foe ploughing fields.

d.           Livestock and income generating livestock schemes of the

     department of Animal Husbandry.

e.           Treatment aboard and

f.             Grant capital for factory, industry, trade. 

 Kha 2-8.   A Bhutanese citizen receiving education and training under the Government funding shall not be entitled to the following facilities and welfare upon marriage with a non- Bhutanese;

a.    No assistance shall be provided by the Government to undertaken education or training either inside Bhutan or outside.

b.     Government assistance being rendered for education or training shall be discontinued from the day of marriage.

c.     The expenses incurred by the government on education of training until the day of marriage shall be required to be refunded to the Government.

d.    A Bhutanese citizen undergoing education or training aboard under a foreign scholarship shall lose it immediately upon the marriage with a non- Bhutanese. In such a case the Government of Bhutan shall request the concerned foreign Government to stop the funding. 

 Kha 2-9    If a non–Bhutanese married to a Bhutanese citizen is allowed to live in the kingdom, then, he/she shall not be permitted to preach other religion or start a new religion except the religion of the kingdom of Bhutan. 

 Kha 2-10. A non–Bhutanese married to a Bhutanese citizen, if allowed to live in the kingdom irrespective of whether he/she acquires the Bhutanese citizenship shall require to follow the tradition, customs, Government orders and laws in force in the kingdom. 

 Kha 2-11. A non–Bhutanese married to a Bhutanese citizen irrespective of whether he/she acquires Bhutanese citizenship or not shall be required to abide by the rules included in the provisions of this marriage Act on all matters of marriage.