What is a Marriage Certificate?
A marriage certificate an official document that is issued by a governmental authority that shows the couple listed have a legal recognized relationship.
A marriage certificate states the names of the couple that got married as well as when they were married, where they were married, who married them and the witnesses that were present.
How to apply for a Marriage Certificate South Africa
When you get married the marriage officer, two witness and the couple that are married must sign the marriage register. Then the marriage officer must issue the married couple with a handwritten certificate (BI-27) free of charge.
The marriage officer then submits the marriage register to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs, where the marriage details will be recorded in the National Population Register (NPR).
Additional abridged or unabridged copies of a marriage certificate can be obtained by:
Completing Form BI-130 in black ink and submitting it to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs or to the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad
Paying the prescribed fee
How can I check my marriage certificate online South Africa?
Verifying your marital status
You will need your South African ID number in order to use this facility. You can also sms the letter M followed by your ID number (example: M 5001010050080) to 32551 A reply sms will be sent back to your cell phone to confirm your marital status and the date of your marriage.
Can I get married online in South Africa?
With the coronavirus pandemic essentially ensuring that no physical ceremony can take place, couples have limited options and therefore opt for online nuptials. However, the question of legality never seems to be brought up. There are certain requirements for a legal and valid marriage in South Africa.
What documents do I need to apply for an unabridged marriage certificate?
All applicants must submit photocopies of personal documents together with the original documents e.g. passports, identity documents, birth marriage and death certificates, and divorce decrees – no photocopies will be made at the Consulate.