How do I get married in South Africa?
This page answers questions like:
What documents are needed for marriage in South Africa?
What is the legal age for marriage in South Africa?
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in South Africa?
What is the difference between a civil and a traditional wedding in South Africa?
Can foreigners get married in South Africa?
What is the cost of getting married in South Africa?
Frequently Asked Questions
Marriage requirements: What documentation do we need?
Copy of ID
ID size photograph (1 each)
Do we require a marriage license?
No.
Do we need to give notice regarding our intention to marry?
No.
When can we get married?
At any time 24/7
I can’t find my divorce certificate, can I still get married?
Yes.
Question: Do home affairs have your marital status recorded correctly?
If not – I will assist you with this.
How do I know if home affairs have my marital status recorded correctly?
Whatsapp the letters CHECK to 078 173 3998. I’ll send details
My status is incorrect on the home affairs system –
what can I do?
Home affairs will not register a further marriage if you are “married”.
Take your divorce certificate to home affairs and ask them to amend the status. This normally takes 12 months to change, so do this in good time before your wedding.
When do we get our marriage certificate?
On wedding day. This is a hand written certificate. The wife can use this certificate to change her names with the bank, clothing store accounts etc.
What is an abridged marriage certificate?
A certificate printed by Home Affairs.
I often arrange a Q4U service to collect this for you – R650
What is an unabridged marriage certificate?
Issued by Home Affairs, this certificate
is the most formal marriage document and is required to register a marriage in a foreign country.
How do I get an unabridged marriage certificate?
Apply at Home Affairs. Cost is R75. The wait is 4-6 months.
I can arrange this in 14 days.
WhatsApp the letters UMC to 078 173 3998
Details will be sent by automated reply.
How long does it take to register a marriage?
It takes about a month.
Quick registrations (2 days) can be arranged. Ask me about this.
What happens with regard to the wife’s surname?
She can:
Keep her surname;
Join her name with her husband’s (double barrel)
or assume her husband’s surname.
How does the wife change her surname?
The surname which the wife would like to have is recorded on the marriage register. Home Affairs will automatically change the wife’s surname
What about a new ID book for the wife?
About a month after the wedding the wife can apply at Home Affairs
for a new ID which has her new surname. Some banks offer this service.
One of us is not South African – can we still get married?
Yes. There is new legislation that requires a South African person
and his/her foreign partner to undergo an interview
with an immigration officer at the Department of Home Affairs.
This is simply to establish that the marriage is sincere
and not a marriage of convenience. You have to personally book this appointment.
Can foreigners get married in South Africa?
Brand new legislation does not permit marriage officers to marry two foreigners.
You have to get married at The Department of Home Affairs.