Getting Married in South Africa

Getting married in South Africa? Your wedding day is the beginning of a wonderful life together — the day you join hands to face the world as a couple. As you prepare to meet each other at the end of the aisle, remember that there are important legal preparations to be made.

Getting married in South Africa – What to consider

Marriage status

You must ensure that you are legally able to marry.

Either of you must be over the age of 18, or if younger must have written consent from your parent or guardian. If one was previously married, divorce proceedings must have been finalised and the divorce officially recorded.

Before marrying, confirm that the Department of Home Affairs records both parties’ marital status correctly. Home Affairs does not currently provide an online identity-number checker on its official status page. Contact the Home Affairs toll-free call centre on 0800 60 11 90 for the current verification process. If the record is incorrect or shows a marriage you do not recognise, obtain written confirmation and legal advice before the wedding so that the record can be investigated and corrected. See the official Home Affairs status page.

Prenuptial or Antenuptial contract

Getting married in South Africa affects your financial and legal status in important ways, depending on how you choose to marry.

It’s crucially important that you are briefed on these changes by a qualified professional who can inform you of your options under South African law, answer your questions, and help you make important decisions that will dramatically affect the rest of your life.

Your attorney will prepare documents including an antenuptial agreement and wills that reflect your decisions and prepare you for your new married status.

Prepare marriage registration

Your marriage must be recorded by the Department of Home Affairs. Immediately after your marriage ceremony you as the couple, two witnesses and the appointed marriage officer must complete and sign a registration document that is sent to the Department of Home Affairs so your marriage can be recorded in the National Population Register.

Getting married in South Africa