<![CDATA[Unregistered marriage (nikah siri) persists in Indonesia despite the statutory registration requirement, leaving wives and children without legal certainty. Earlier studies describe the role of the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama, KUA) mostly through outreach and rarely ask why people do not comply. This article analyzes how the KUA of Krueng Barona Jaya, Aceh Besar, handles unregistered marriage, what drives the practice, and how isbat nikah protects women and children. It uses an empirical juridical method with a qualitative approach. Data came from interviews with the Head of the KUA and the village head (keuchik) of Meunasah Baktreing, Family Card (Kartu Keluarga) documents, KUA isbat nikah records, and literature on statutory regulations and Islamic law, and were analyzed thematically. Four Family Cards carried the status “Kawin Belum Tercatat”, and isbat nikah petitions fluctuated between 2021 and 2023 (two, one, and four couples). Registration at the KUA is free, yet unregistered marriages often cost more than registered ones. This paradox suggests that low legal compliance and awareness outweigh economic constraints, although low education and unstable work contribute in some cases. Other drivers are the wish to avoid administrative procedures, polygamy without permission, and underage marriage. The KUA responds with legal outreach, guidance for village leaders, remarriage (akad ulang), and facilitation of isbat nikah. The findings suggest that registration depends on legal culture as much as on regulation and service access, within the limits of one subdistrict and a few Family Cards.]]>
