Bridging SIMKAH and Premarital Guidance: Institutional Reform for Inclusive Digital Marriage Services in Indonesia

Abstract

Marriage administration has adopted the Marriage Management Information System (SIMKAH), but premarital guidance services still require a workflow linking scheduling, attendance recording, and follow-up. This study proposes institutional reform to strengthen these connections, improve service accessibility for prospective spouses, and promote responsible data use. It aims to examine the relationship between SIMKAH-based administration and the delivery of premarital guidance at Religious Affairs Offices (KUA) and to formulate an inclusive digital marriage service model. The study adopts an empirical legal approach through a reanalysis of interview, observation, and documentary data, supplemented by a review of relevant regulations and literature. The findings indicate that SIMKAH-based administration is not yet connected to attendance recording and follow-up procedures for premarital guidance. The study proposes using the data of couples registered in SIMKAH as the basis for scheduling guidance sessions, recording participation status, and following up on non-attendance. This workflow bridges marriage administration and premarital guidance through clearly assigned staff responsibilities, flexible scheduling options, and restricted access to personal data. The proposed model provides a framework for improving KUA services across Indonesia, subject to adaptation to local conditions and further testing of its implementation.