Cambodia Registers Over 1000 Foreigner-Khmer Marriage Applications in 6 Months Amid Anti-Trafficking Efforts

The Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection of the National Police Headquarters has announced the processing of 1,154 applications for marriage registration between Cambodian citizens and foreigners during the first half of 2026. This initiative aims to prevent and suppress human trafficking disguised as marriage. During this period, the department interviewed 1,154 foreign nationals. Among those interviewed, 52 were women, representing individuals from 36 different nationalities who applied to marry Cambodian citizens. According to a report from the Department of Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection, the department evaluated and forwarded 1,169 individuals, including 43 women, to the One-Stop Service Inter-Ministerial Working Group. According to the Sub-Decree on 'Forms and Procedures for Marriage Between Cambodian Citizens and Foreigners,' foreign nationals wishing to marry Cambodian citizens must be physically present in Cambodia and submit a valid passport with a visa, a single status certificate, a criminal record certificate, proof of occupation (issued by their home country), and a health certificate. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, along with the Ministry of Interior, will review and evaluate the submitted documents within a maximum of five working days. Following the review, both parties must submit their application to the commune/sangkat office where the Cambodian party permanently resides. This requires the submission of a birth certificate, single status certificate, and health certificate. Commune/sangkat registry officials will examine and decide on the application within three working days, after which a marriage announcement will be prepared for public display for ten days at the embassy or representative office of the foreign national's home country, and at the commune/sangkat office. If no objections or disputes are raised during the announcement period, the couple can proceed with the marriage. They must then appear in person before the commune/sangkat registry officials to sign the contract and register their marriage, accompanied by two adult witnesses, to ensure the marriage is fully legally effective. At a meeting to summarize the work results of combating human trafficking in the first half of 2026 and outline future directions, held at the Ministry of Interior's meeting hall, His Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, who also chairs the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, praised and urged relevant officials from all involved institutions to continue paying close attention to the prevention and suppression of human trafficking under the guise of illegal marriages. Source: Koh Santepheap Khmer