Penang (Malaysia)

Penang, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ lies on the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The state comprises of an island of some 285km sq and a narrow strip approximately 760km sq on the mainland known as Seberang Perai (Province Wellesley, separated by a channel 3km wide at the closest point). They are linked by the Penang Bridge and a 24-hour ferry service.
This Malaysian island offers two destinations in one, combining the beach of Batu Ferringhi with the charming historic city of Georgetown with its stilt houses, night markets and colonial architecture.

Weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
T	90	91	92	91	90	90	90	89	88	89	88	89
S	8	8	8	7	6	7	7	6	5	5	6	7
R	1	3	6	7	11	8	7	12	16	17	13	6

Key to symbols used:

T - Average daily maximum temperatures
S - Average daily sunshine hours
R - Average monthly rainfall (if higher than 0.5”)

Flight time: 13.5
GMT + or -: + 8
Visa: Not required

Documents and Legal requirements
Residency: You must be resident in Penang for a minimum of 7 days, including the day of your arrival, before you can get married however, if you apply for a Special Licence to marry this residency requirement is dispensed with.
Proof of ID: For proof of identity you must produce your Birth certificates (must show the names of both parents) and your passport, plus 4 passport sized photographs of each of you taken individually
Proof of status: You will require a letter from your Priest or a sworn affidavit confirming that you are free to marry (i.e. that you are single, divorced or widowed). These then need to be stamped by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Legalisation Off ice. (See Further Information).
Divorced: If you are divorced you must produce your Decree Absolute.
Widowed: If you are widowed you will be required to produce the Death certificate of former spouse and previous marriage certificate.
Age restrictions: To marry in Penang you must be 18 years of age or over. If you are aged under 21 you must have written consent from your father in the form of a sworn affidavit.
Name change: If your name has been changed by Deed Poll you must provide the legal proof stamped and signed by a solicitor. This also applies if you are a divorced woman have reverted back to your maiden name.

Ceremonies
The type of ceremony that is possible in Malaysia (Penang) is limited only by the extent of your budget, where you are getting married and your imagination. In theory a registered ceremony is supposed to take place in the registration office, however, many registrars will allow your ceremony to be conducted in other locations, the favourite choice being on the beach or in the ground of your hotel. If particular states do not allow this, it is possible to complete formalities in the register office and follow up with a traditional ethnic-style ceremony at your hotel, which can be organised by your tour operator or your hotel.

Being an integrated and multi-cultural society, even your wedding ceremony can be something unconventional, such as marrying according to traditional Malay custom, the Chinese tea drinking ceremony, or even being married according to Hindu rituals. However, it is not possible to be married according to Islamic custom because of the religion’s stricter rules regarding non-believers. There is, of course, the more conventional Christian service, but even this is bound to be different in Malaysia and the whole experience is totally different if you are taking your vows on the golden sands of a beautiful beach. For the more daring there is the option of being married according to tribal rituals in the Borneo jungle, perhaps with a Chieftain in his finery conducting the ceremony followed by a truly wild party to celebrate.

Obtaining your marriage licence
The normal procedure for marrying in Penang involves submitting an application at the District Registration Department after being resident for a minimum of 7 days. The Registrar will display a notice of your intended marriage for twenty-one days, after which you will be issued with a licence to marry. You marriage must take place within 6 months of the certificate being issued. However, it is possible to obtain a Special Licence that will dispense with the residency requirements.
To obtain your special marriage licence, upon arrival in Penang, you should submit an application at the Chief Minister’s Office and request to dispense Notice Requirement. If the Chief Minister is satisfied with the Statutory Declaration and no lawful impediment, he will grant a licence for marriage, which must take place within 1 month. (See Further Information).

Further information

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board 57 Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DU Tel: 020-7930 7932 Fax: 020-7930 9015	Malaysian High Commission 45 Belgrave Suare London SW1X 8QT Tel: 020 7235 8033 Fax: 020-7235 5161 Email: mhclondon@btinternet.com
Legalisation Office Foreign and Commonwealth Office 20 Victoria Street London SW1H 0NZ Tel: 020-7210 2521	Marriage and Divorce Headquarters Registration Department Department of Malaysia Floor 5A Federal Building Jalan Sultan 46200 Petaling Jaya Tel: 00-603 755 1255
The British High Commission 185 Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpar Tel: 00-603 248 7122 Fax: 00-603 244 9692