How to Get a Marriage Certificate

Marriages in Kenya are registered by the Office of the Attorney General and a marriage certificate issued.

The following documents are required to register a marriage in Kenya:

Marriage between Kenyans

1. Copies of identification cards and colored passport size photos (for both parties) and Ksh 600. NB* this will be for the notice which will run for 21 days.
2. After the 21-day notice, if the ceremony is to take place in the:
• Registrar’s Office – You will be required to pay Ksh 3,300, and then receive a marriage date according to the official diary.
• Church – you will be required to pay Ksh 800 after the 21-day notice to obtain a registration certificate which will be issued seven days thereafter
• Where the ceremony shall take be at a place other than a church or Registrar’s Office e.g. A Garden, hotel etc. a Special License is also needed to license the venue even if notice is properly given at a fee of Ksh. 7200.
3. Pastor’s License – if it is a church wedding
4. Both parties must be present

*Copy Pastor’s License – if the marriage is conducted by a church minister & Serial No.

Marriage between Kenyans (Special)

In the event that you cannot provide a 21-day notice, the following documents are required:

1. Birth Certificates (Copies & Original)
2. Identification cards or passports (Copies & Original)
3. Proof that there is no impediment to marriage e.g.
4. Affidavits
5. Death Certificate (In the case of widowed persons) – Copy & original
6. Divorce Decree Absolute. (In the case of divorced persons) – Copy & original
7. Colored Passport size photos
8. A documented reason to show (prove that you do not have time to give a 21-day notice.

*Both parties must be present

* Copy of the Pastor’s License – if the marriage is conducted by a church minister & Serial No.

Marriage between a Kenyan and a Foreigner

Kenyan

1. Identification card/valid Kenyan passport(Copies & Original)
2. Colored passport size photo
3. Birth Certificate (Copies & Original)
4. Affidavit.

• Death Certificate (In the case of widowed persons) – Copy & original
• Divorce Decree Absolute (In the case of divorced persons) – Copy & original

Foreign National

1. Valid passport (Copies & Original)
2. Birth Certificate (Copies & Original)
3. Passport size photo (Colored)
4. A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage.

• Death Certificate. (In the case of widowed persons)- or
• Divorce Decree Absolute. (In the case of divorced persons)- Copy & original

5. Return air ticket/visa/work permit.

*Both parties to be present

*Copy Pastor’s License- for a Church wedding & Serial No. of Certificate

Marriage between Foreign Nationals

1. Valid passports (Copies & Original)

2. Passport size photos (Colored).

3. Birth certificates (Copies & Original)

4. Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage.

• – Death Certificate. (In the case of widowed persons) – Copy & original
• – Divorce Decree Absolute. (In the case of divorced persons) – Copy & original

5. Return air ticket./Visa/Work permit

*Both parties to be present

NB Any document in a language other than English MUST be translated and verified as true translation

Source

Office of the Attorney General

Share on Whatsapp