Dutch Court Declares AI-Generated Wedding Vows Invalid, Ruling Couple’s Marriage Unofficial

Netherlands:A Dutch court has ruled a couple’s wedding **invalid** because their marriage vows were drafted with the help of artificial intelligence.

The couple held an informal civil ceremony in **Zwolle in April 2025** and used **ChatGPT** with a friend’s assistance to write their vows. However, the court found that the couple **failed to declare, in accordance with legal requirements, that they would fully undertake all obligations associated with marriage**.

According to the court, the couple did not make the declaration specified in **Article 1:67, Paragraph 1 of the Dutch Civil Code**, which is required for a legally binding marriage.

The ruling reproduced portions of the AI-generated vows to illustrate the issue. During the ceremony, the groom was asked:

* “Do you promise to live with [bride’s name] today, tomorrow, and always? Do you promise to laugh, grow, and love each other no matter what?”
* “Will you continue to support each other, stand by each other even in difficult times?”

The court concluded that **these AI-generated vows were legally insufficient**, and therefore the marriage was **not formally completed**.

The couple argued that they had **no intention to misrepresent their commitment** and that the civil officer present at the ceremony did not flag any issues. They requested that the original wedding date be recognized as the **legal marriage date**, citing the emotional significance of the day.

This case highlights the emerging legal challenges around **AI-assisted ceremonies** and the formal requirements for legal marriages.