Getting Married in Southern Africa – Legal Side

The legal side

Getting married in most African countries is reletively easy. Before you start planning your dream African wedding it is important to consider the logistical side to the wedding.

I have compiled a general list of country requirements and further specifics for the most popular Southern African choices. It is important to check with your embasy too as specific residents might require additional documentation.

What documentation you need:

• Full birth certificates reflecting both parents’ names
• Both Passports
• If divorced, show your original final divorce papers
• If widowed, show the death certificate of your former spouse
• If you have changed your name then show legal proof of the change
• Bride and groom must not be related by blood, marriage or adoption

Some countries also require the following documents:

• Certificate of No Impediment to marriage - This can be obtained from your local department of foreign affairs or your embassy in the country in which you are getting married
• Apostille Stamp - Some countries require foreign legal documents to be stamped with an apostille which then makes them legal documents in their country
• Certificate of Single Status/Sworn affidavit that you are free to marry - These are similar to Certificate of No Impediment but instead you have to swear you are single in front of a legal representative

Zanzibar

You will need: certificate of no impediment, if divorced or widowed your former marriage certificate, 2 photocopies of your passports, 2 passport photos each, all required documents above, if you are having a religous ceremony you will need a letter from your church stating you have fulfilled the requirements for marriage. Residency requirement: 2 days