Marriage in Kenya Documents needed

Registration of Marriage by Special License

(S. 33 of the Marriage Act, 2014)

The Registrar of Marriages may dispense with notice requirement under the Marriage Act, 2014 where there is sufficient reason to do so supported by requisite documents. The license is issued at the discretion of the Registrar who must confirm that:

Neither party is within a prohibited relationship;
Neither party is below the minimum age for marriage; and
Neither party is married to another person

A special license applies to Civil, Christian and Hindu marriages where:

One or both parties are foreign nationals
The marriage is taking place outside a gazzeted location for example a garden wedding, hotel among others

A Civil marriage by Special License is conducted within Fourteen (14) days from the date of approval
Special License for Christian and Hindu marriages are issued within three (3) days from the date of approval
Both applicants must be resident in Kenya for a period of at least seven (7) days preceding the application

Please ensure all documents are reading all same/ correct names. To avoid rejection from Registrar.

– Passport

– ID Card

– Birth Certificate

– Impediment

– Flight Ticket

– Affidavit

– Chief’s letter

How to apply for the marriage:

-Fill the Form (Groom is always the applicant) https://www.ecitizen.go.ke

-Upload the required documents (some PDF/ some word / very small size

-Print the application, both parties to sign and upload. Wait for the Registrar to response.

– Once it is approved, book an online appointment with the registrar, where the wedding is taking place, both parties to attend the interview.

-After the Interview wait for comments from the Registrar and provide required documents.

-When you find the Invoice online, part you pay through MPESA and other amount you bring to the Registrar and follow the instructions.

-Once you have paid, now you book the actual Date for the marriage and Venue.

-Don’t forget a token for the Registrar after you get married.

For the international Valid Marriage Certificate, you apply and pay after the Marriage online and pick it up from Nairobi, or arrange with your register if he/she can assist to collect it.

Be prepared for a tedious process and sometimes very frustrating and time consuming.

Special license for Civil Marriages

Where both parties are Kenyan nationals

Fill (Groom) the online application form. https://www.ecitizen.go.ke

Attach:

Copy of National Identity Card or valid Passport or valid Alien Card for refugees
Copy of Birth Certificate
Coloured passport-size photo – one for each Applicant

Proof of no other existing marriage through:

Submit sworn affidavit to state marital status (swear separate affidavits if not married or joint affidavit if married under customary law ) groom to state Bachelor/ Bride to state Spinster if not married before.
Copy of Death Certificate (if widow or widower)
Copy of Divorce Decree Absolute (If the partner had been married before and divorced)
A sworn affidavit to confirm marital status in the event that the Divorce Decree or Death Certificate is more than 2 years’ old
Both groom/bride to bring a letter from their Chief confirming that he/she knows the bride/groom and that they are living in his area and the Chief states the condition of groom to state Bachelor/ Bride to state Spinster

After submission of the application, both parties will be required to book an appointment on the online platform and appear before the Registrar for submission of original documents and interview

Upon successful completion of the interview, parties will be required to pay a fee of Kshs 9700/=on the online platform if the wedding is to take place at the Registrar’s office or a fee Kshs 16,700/= if wedding is to be conducted at a venue outside of the Registrar’s Office

Issuance of date of marriage upon payment

Where one party is a Kenyan national and the other a foreign national

Requirements for the Kenyan national

Fill (Groom) the online application form https://www.ecitizen.go.ke

Attach:

Copy of National Identity Card / valid Passport or Valid Alien Card for refugees
Copy of Birth Certificate
Coloured passport-size photo – one of each applicant

Proof of no other existing marriage through:

Submit sworn affidavit to state marital status (swear separate affidavits if not married or joint affidavit if married under customary law). groom to state Bachelor/ Bride to state Spinster if not married before.
Copy of Death Certificate (if widow or widower)
Copy of Divorce Decree Absolute (If the partner had been married before and divorced)
A sworn affidavit to confirm marital status in the event that the Divorce Decree or Death Certificate is more than 2 years’ old

Kenyan groom/bride to bring a letter from their Chief confirming that he/she knows the bride/groom and that they are living in his area and the Chief states the condition of groom to state Bachelor/ Bride to state Spinster

Requirements for the foreign national

Create a Visitors E-citizen account https://www.ecitizen.go.ke

Fill an online application form

Attach:

Copy of valid Passport
Copy of Birth Certificate
1 Coloured passport-size photo

Proof of no other existing marriage through:

A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
Copy of Death Certificate (if widow or widower)
Copy of Divorce Decree Absolute (If the partner had been married before and divorced)
A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage indicating the current marital status in the event that the Divorce Decree or Death Certificate is more than 2 years old.
The UK does not issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries. Registrars in Kenya may accept a no trace letter issued by the General Register Office instead of a marriage certificate. You should check with the Kenyan authorities whether a ‘no trace letter’ can be accepted. ‘No trace letters’ cost £50 for each 10 year period from age 16 or when you entered the UK. Specify how many years you need the search to cover and quote reference ‘SEARCH 123’. It can take up to 3 weeks for a ‘no trace letter’ to be issued. General Register Office Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 1837 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm Saturday)

Air ticket and visa (registrar is asking for the Visa entry stamp in the passport, not the E visa) or work permit for those working in the country

After submission of the application, both parties to book an appointment on the online platform and appear before the Registrar and submission of original documents verification and interview.

Upon successful completion of the interview, parties will be required to pay a fee of Kshs 9700/= on the online platform if the wedding is to take place at the Registrar’s Office or a fee of Kshs 16,700/= if wedding is to be conducted at a venue outside of the Registrar’s office

Parties to book the date of solemnization of marriage upon payment

Where both parties are foreign nationals

Create a visitors E-citizen account. https://www.ecitizen.go.ke

Fill an online application form

Attach:

Copies of valid Passports
Copies of Birth Certificates
1 Coloured passport-size photo

Proof of no other existing marriage through:

A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
Copy of Death Certificate (if widow or widower)
Copy of Divorce Decree Absolute (If the partner had been married before and divorced)
A Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage indicating the current marital status in the event that the Divorce Decree or Death Certificate is more than 2 years’ old
The UK does not issue certificates of no impediment (CNI) for marriages in Commonwealth countries. Registrars in Kenya may accept a no trace letter issued by the General Register Office instead of a marriage certificate. You should check with the Kenyan authorities whether a ‘no trace letter’ can be accepted. ‘No trace letters’ cost £50 for each 10 year period from age 16 or when you entered the UK. Specify how many years you need the search to cover and quote reference ‘SEARCH 123’. It can take up to 3 weeks for a ‘no trace letter’ to be issued. General Register Office Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 1837 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm Saturday)
Air ticket and visa (stamp of the Visa in the Passport is what is required to use) or work permit for those working in the country

After submission of the application, both parties are required to book an appointment on the online platform and appear before the Registrar for submission of original documents and interview

Upon successful completion of the interview, parties are required to pay a fee of Kshs 9700/= on the online platform if the wedding is to take place at the Registrar’s office or a fee of Kshs 16,700/= if wedding will be conducted at a venue outside of the Registrar’s office

Parties to book the date of solemnization of marriage upon payment

If you use assistance from a Kenyan Tour Operator/Agent, only TRA Licenced Agents are allowed to assist. Ensure you check the licence if you are not sure. www.tra.go.ke

We are fully licenced under TRA /Valentine Investment Company (MSA) Ltd.

https://www.tra.go.ke/list-of-licensed-facilities/#1647246547820-9cd1c62a-6133