Last week we started talking about you need to get married in South Africa. Here's part 2:
Conducting a marriage:
Conducting a marriage:
Only marriage officers authorised in terms
of Act No. 25 of 1961 to perform marriages, may do so. Presently civil
marriages are solemnised at offices of the Department of Home Affairs and at
churches by authorised marriage officers. Marriage officers are easy to find, just
contact the church of your choice or have your lawyer or wedding planner
suggest one.
A marriage must be conducted in the
presence of at least two witnesses in:
•
A church or another building
used for religious services
•
In a public office or private
house, with open doors
•
In the case of serious illness
or injuries, the marriage may take place in a hospital or any concerned
facility.
Marriage certificates:
Two witnesses and the marriage officer must
sign the marriage register after the solemnization of a marriage. Then the
marriage officer must issue the parties with a handwritten marriage certificate
(BI-27) free of charge.
The marriage officer must then submit 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).
Any additional abridged copies or
unabridged copies of the marriage certificate can be requested by:
•
Completing Form BI-130 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
The first issue of an abridged marriage
certificate is free, and a re-issue is R15.00 (approx. $2 US)
In addition to abridged or unabridged
copies of a marriage certificate, you may also request the following documents
after completing Form BI-130 and paying the prescribed fees:
•
A vault copy of the register
•
An abridged marriage
certificate that is either computer printed or handwritten
That’s about it! I know it seems like a
mountain of paperwork but lifelong commitments do not come easily. Think of it
as slaying the paper dragon to get to your beloved!
For more information you can go to:
or
Hope that helps!
Happy planning!
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