About registering customary marriage

Register your customary marriage to make it a legally recognised union. The customary marriage must be registered within three months of the date of celebration or entering of the marriage.

A customary marriage is negotiated, entered into or celebrated according to African customary law. It does not include marriages concluded in accordance with other religious rites.

Note: Although there is no restriction on the number of customary marriages that a husband may enter into, he may not enter into any further customary marriages unless he has obtained an order from a competent court, regulating the future matrimonial property system of his marriages and his spouse must accompany him and consent to the marriage.

What you should do

• Go to your nearest Home Affairs office
• Bring:
• two witnesses who were present at the celebration or the person(s) who negotiated the Lobolo
• your identity documents (ID). 
• The registering officer will:
• require information from you as proof of the existence of the marriage. The information can be in the form of a lobola letter  
• conduct interviews  in order to satisfy himself
• issue you an abridged marriage certificate DHA-41 (hand written certificate).
  

Note: If the registering officer is not satisfied with the information you have given, registration of your marriage will be disapproved and you will be referred to court. The registering officer must issue the applicant with the copy of the register /letter stating the reasons for not approving the registration of the marriage.

Timeframe

It differs from one case to another.

How much does it cost

You can register your customary marriage for free.

• Abridged marriage certificate: R20
• An unabridged marriage certificate: R75

Forms to complete

• * Application for registration / Enquiry into existence of customary marriage, DHA-1699
• * Declaration for the purpose of marriage, DHA-31 

Note: *Special specifications and requirements regarding the processing of this form apply and it may therefore not be downloaded for use as an application or registration form. All forms are available at any regional or district office of the Department.

Who to contact