PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Cross-border marriage is a marriage without permission from the marriage registrar in each state and it is solemnised either in Malaysia or abroad. The purpose of this study is to examine and analyse the level of socio-legal knowledge among Muslims in Malaysia who solemnise the marriage either in Malaysia or abroad. A total of 400 respondents from four regions in Malaysia were recruited for this study. A questionnaire survey was the main data collection method and further supported by semi-structured interviews. Findings show the respondents were aware of the opportunity to register their marriage at the court but did not choose to do so. Therefore, the study proposes new stricter regulations and policies to control and curb cross-border marriages.