Addressing non-state marriages in state law: Responses from the Netherlands

In this chapter, the question will be discussed how the Netherlands, a secular state, contributed to manage existing normative pluralism with regard to marriages in their state law. In the Netherlands, non-state marriages are a hot and actual topic and the subject of intense political and societal debates and scientific research. Those debates, political lobbies and research findings have found their way into legislation. It will be explained how the Dutch legislature and judiciary, over the years, have settled the dilemma of leaving sufficient room and freedom for non-state marriages and at the same time protecting victims and society against negative or harmful practices.