Dutch Court Annuls Marriage Due to Wedding Speech by ChatGPT.

According to ТСН: In the Netherlands, a court in Zwolle declared a marriage invalid due to procedural violations during the ceremony. The reason was that the speech for the wedding ceremony was prepared with the help of ChatGPT, which did not comply with the requirements of the Civil Code.

According to reports, last year, the couple invited a friend to conduct the wedding ceremony as a 'one-day registrar'—an official appointed for just one day. During the ceremony, which took place on April 19, 2025, an official marriage registrar from the municipality of Zwolle was also present.

As the newlyweds desired an informal atmosphere, the one-day official prepared the speech with the help of ChatGPT. This fact later became the basis for questioning the legitimacy of the marriage.

Court Ruling

The Attorney General received a signal from the municipality about the potential invalidity of the marriage. After analysis, the case was forwarded to the court for a decision.

During the ceremony, the couple was asked open-ended questions about their readiness to support each other and overcome difficulties together. After receiving their answers, the one-day registrar declared them husband and wife, referring to them as 'a team' and 'a slightly crazy couple.'

However, the court found that the ceremony did not meet legislative requirements. In particular, it was not clearly stated that the couple agreed to fulfill all the duties prescribed by marriage under Article 1:67 of the Civil Code. This wording is mandatory for the legal recognition of marriage.

Couple's Position

The couple noted that losing the official wedding date has serious emotional consequences for them. They claimed that the responsibility for the mistake does not lie with them, but with the registrar, who failed to notice the procedural violations.

The couple appealed to the court to retain the original wedding date or recognize it administratively as the date of marriage. However, the court denied this request, emphasizing that it cannot ignore the requirements of the law, even considering the personal significance of this date for the couple.

Overall, this case opens an important discussion about the formal requirements for wedding ceremonies and the role of technology in modern life. While the use of artificial intelligence can be an interesting way to adapt traditions, such innovations must consider legal norms to avoid similar incidents in the future.