How to Become A Licensed Marriage Officer In South Africa

Marriage Officers are ministers of the gospel who have been licensed and gazetted by the state to officiate marriages under law in licensed churches and venues.

Do you need an officiant to get married?

To get married in NSW you must: at least 1 month before the date you plan to marry (but not more than 18 months), lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with an authorized celebrant or minister. include words required by law in the ceremony and be married by a registered celebrant or authorized minister of religion.

Can my friend officiate my wedding?

So most of the ceremony may be done by your friend. It is important to note though, that inexperienced person is less likely to design and deliver the ceremony with the same level of care as would an experienced celebrant.

Who can officiate a wedding?

Judges, ministers and more

For religious ceremonies, members of the clergy like priests, ministers or rabbis, et cetera, may officiate a marriage. They may need to register with the county in which the wedding will take place, especially if it’s out of state.

How to Become A Licensed Marriage Officer In South Africa

Requirements needed to Become A Licensed Marriage Officer In South Africa

A Minister of Religion who desires to become a Marriage Officer must first submit the following to the Registrar General:

• A handwritten application letter (include address of your church or churches and the amount of members in the congregation).

• Resume.

• Birth Certificate.

• Any document noting a change of name (such as deed poll, marriage certificate or adoption certificate).

• One Passport size photograph.

• Letter of recommendation from the head of denomination of the Applicant.

• Two letters of recommendation from two other ministers of religion who are currently Marriage Officers.

The following are the procedures to follow in marrying under the Marriage Officer’s Certificate:

Parties must select an Officer of the religious body or Marriage Officer duly licensed to conduct marriages by the State.

Parties must select a Venue of Marriage celebration duly licensed by the State and One of the Parties must reside in the District of the venue.

Parties must fill the Notice of Banns Forms and give it to the Marriage Officer at least four days before the time required for publication of the banns of marriage.

Upon receipt of the Notice of Banns, the Marriage Officer shall personally publish the banns of marriage between the parties named in the notice at the town or village where the person giving the notice resides, in the place of worship of the religious denomination to which that person belongs.

The Publication of banns of marriage shall be made in the face of the congregation in an audible manner both in English and the vernacular at the appropriate time during public divine service on a Sunday morning or a Sunday afternoon or evening as appropriate in the form required by law.

The Marriage Officer publishing the banns shall endorse the dates of the publications on the notice.

The marriage officer on being satisfied of the due publication of the banns, and absence of a caveat, shall at any time within three months of the date of the last publication of banns grant to the person by whom the notice of intended marriage has been given a marriage officer’s certificate.

The Marriage must take place within three months of the last date of publication of banns.

Solemnization of Marriage at the licensed place of worship by a licensed marriage officer of that church according to the rites and usage of marriage in the church and same should cover exchange of vows between 8.000am to 6.00pm.

Who can be a marriage officer in South Africa?

(1) A magistrate, additional magistrate, assistant magistrate, shall by virtue of his office and as long as he holds such office be a marriage officer for the district or area in respect of which he holds such office.

How do you become a marriage officiant in South Africa ?

Steps to Getting Ordained

Step 1: Always start with research.

Step 2: Submit your application.

Step 3: Register with the state if required.

Ask the couple what to wear.

Take the time to prepare.

Be on your A-game.

Remember your after-ceremony tasks.

Can you officiate your own marriage in South Africa ?

Yes. In some states, you and your partner can legally marry yourself without the need for a third party acting in the capacity of wedding officiant to sign your marriage license. This is called self-solemnization. To solemnize means to observe or honor with solemnity, or to perform with pomp or ceremony.

Can a Commissioner of Oaths marry someone in South Africa?

All marriage officers, special justices of the peace and commissioners are ex officio marriage officers for the district or region in respect of which they hold office. The marriage officer may only perform the marriage if he/she is satisfied that there is no lawful impediment to it.

Do you need an officiant to get married in South Africa ?

To get married in NSW you must: at least 1 month before the date you plan to marry (but not more than 18 months), lodge a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) with an authorized celebrant or minister. include words required by law in the ceremony and be married by a registered celebrant or authorized minister of religion.

Who can officiate a wedding in South Africa ?

Judges, ministers and more

For religious ceremonies, members of the clergy like priests, ministers or rabbis, et cetera, may officiate a marriage. They may need to register with the county in which the wedding will take place, especially if it’s out of state.

Can my friend officiate my wedding in South Africa?

So most of the ceremony may be done by your friend. It is important to note though, that inexperienced person is less likely to design and deliver the ceremony with the same level of care as would an experienced celebrant.

How much does it cost to become a wedding officiant in South Africa ?

Officially, ordination can be free but you need to pay for a certified copy to prove it. The cost is generally less than R 302.26. There may be additional fees depending on your local marriage laws. I was already ordained online when I decided to become a wedding officiant so it wasn’t an additional expense at the time

How hard is it to become an officiant in South Africa ?

Becoming an ordained wedding officiant online is almost embarrassingly easy. Go to an online non-denominational ministry’s website, such as The Universal Life Church Ministries or Open Ministry. Pay the nominal online ordination fee, if any. (Most are free of charge but accept donations.)

Who qualifies as a Commissioner of Oaths in South Africa?

According to s5 of the Act, a commissioner of oaths can be any person appointed as such by the Minister of Justice (Minister) or appointed by any officer of the Department of Justice with the rank of a director authorised in writing by the Minister.

How much do marriage officiants cost in South Africa?

THE MARRIAGE OFFICIANT

Your marriage officiant will cost you about R3 500 and they will arrive at the ceremony venue half hour before and will do the actual wedding registry on your behalf.