Overview
- The Overijssel court held that the April 19, 2025 ceremony in Zwolle did not create a marriage because the required declaration was not spoken.
- A friend serving as a one-day officiant used ChatGPT to craft a light-toned address while an official registrar was present.
- Article 1:67 of the Dutch Civil Code requires spouses to accept each other as married partners and commit to the legal duties of marriage, wording absent from the speech.
- Zwolle authorities later alerted prosecutors; the court ordered the registry entry struck and denied the couple’s request to retain their original wedding date.
- The couple argued the registrar should have corrected the error, reporting describes significant emotional impact, and Stern reports they have since held a new legally valid ceremony.