Couples hoping to marry in Utrecht in the next month will need to change their date or check availability in another municipality. Utrecht says it has no municipal appointments left from 1 September through 5 October 2026.

The full calendar applies not only to marriages but also to registered partnerships and appointments to convert a registered partnership into a marriage. It covers the municipality's appointment system rather than simply one popular room or wedding venue.

Separately, Utrecht is taking longer than usual to process online notices of an intended marriage or partnership. The municipality says this time of year is always especially busy and that it is currently running about two weeks behind.

What to do if you are still planning

For a ceremony after 5 October, the city advises couples to reserve their date and location as early as possible — preferably at least three months in advance. More lead time is recommended for popular wedding months such as May, June and September, and for dates likely to attract extra demand. A date can be fixed up to 18 months ahead.

Couples must separately notify the municipality of their intended marriage or registered partnership. Dutch rules require at least 14 days between that notice and the ceremony, and Utrecht says the notice remains valid for up to one year.

Although the legal minimum is 14 days, Utrecht currently advises applying well in advance and reports a roughly two-week processing backlog.

For the online process, both partners complete their own part using DigiD. Utrecht asks for copies of their passports or identity cards and, where applicable, residence permits. Couples must also provide details and identity documents for at least two and no more than four adult witnesses. People who have lived abroad, are not Dutch nationals or have previously married abroad may be asked for additional documents.

Can you marry somewhere else?

The notice of intended marriage is made to the municipality where the ceremony will take place. If Utrecht has no suitable date, couples can check availability and requirements in another municipality.

Booking a private venue within Utrecht does not replace the city's municipal marriage procedure or the legal solemnisation. Couples should confirm both the venue and municipal appointment before relying on a date.

Changing a marriage to a registered partnership will not solve the immediate availability problem in Utrecht because the same fully booked period applies to both. A cohabitation agreement is a separate arrangement made through a notary; Utrecht explicitly notes that it is not the same as a registered partnership.

Couples with questions about their circumstances can contact Utrecht's civil affairs service on 14 030.