To get married in Africa can be relatively straightforward, depending on
the country you choose. Kenya and South Africa are some of the more popular
African countries in which to exchange your vows, while North African
countries involve more paperwork but if you are patient then it is possible to
get married there.
Make sure you leave plenty of time to get your documents in
order, especially if you need to get them translated. You don't want
to be rushing around the day before your wedding.
Below you can find a summary of the marriage law for each country, but make
sure you also check with your embassy for a full list of all documentation as
this varies depending on your country of residence. Click through too for the
full marriage law per country.
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Required documents for all countries:
- Full birth certificates showing both parents' names
- Passports
- If divorced, show your original final divorce papers
- If widowed, show the death certificate of your former spouse
- If you have changed your name then show legal proof of the change
- (Bride and groom must not be related by blood, marriage or adoption)
Some countries also require these documents:
Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage
This can be obtained from your local department of foreign affairs or your
embassy in the country in which you are getting married.
Apostille Stamp
Some countries require foreign legal documents to be stamped with an
apostille which then makes them legal documents in that country.
Certificate of Single Status/Sworn Affidavit that you are free to
marry
These are similar to a Certificate of No Impediment, but instead you have
to swear you are single in front of a legal representative.
North Africa
Egypt
You will need: certificates of no impediment legalised by
the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, legal proof of any name change,
certified translations of all required documents above, you can't remarry
within 3 months of a previous divorce, if pregnant, or within 4 months and 10
days of being widowed.
Residency requirement: none, but 2 or 3 days to
arrange the paperwork.
Full Egypt marriage law here.
Morocco
You will need: certified translations of all required
documents above into Arabic, photocopies of your passports' photo page and
entry stamp into Morocco, affidavit of nationality and eligibility to marry,
police record from your country of residence, men must produce a notarised
statement of religious denomination, medical certificate from a doctor in
Morocco, 2 recent passport photos, resident card if living in Morocco.
Residency requirement: a few weeks to sort out the paperwork.
Full Morocco marriage law here.
Southern & Eastern Africa
Kenya
You will need: all required documents above.
Residency requirement: none.
Full Kenya marriage law here.
Namibia
You will need: all required documents above.
Residency requirement: none.
Full Namibia marriage law here.
South Africa
You will need: all required documents above.
Residency requirement: none.
Full South Africa marriage law here.
Tanzania
You will need: certificates of no impediment, if divorced
your former marriage certificate and you cannot remarry with 6 months of a
divorce, if widowed your former marriage certificate, all required documents
above.
Residency requirement: none.
Full Tanzania marriage law here.
Zanzibar
You will need: certificates of no impediment, if divorced
or widowed your former marriage certificate, 2 photocopies of your passports,
2 passport photos each, all required documents above. If you are having a
religious ceremony you will need a letter from your church stating you have
fulfilled the requirements for marriage.
Residency
requirement: 2 days.
Full Zanzibar marriage law here.
Indian Ocean
Madagascar
You will need: it is not possible to get married in
Madagascar unless you live there, so having a blessing is the easiest way to
celebrate your wedding.
Mauritius
You will need: photocopies of first 3 pages of passports,
2 passport photos each, non-resident certificate, if divorced your former
marriage certificate, all required documents above, if the bride has been
divorced less than 10 months she must have a Mauritian doctor's certificate
stating she is not pregnant.
Residency requirement: 3
days.
Full Mauritius marriage law here.
Seychelles
You will need: photocopies of first 2 pages of passports,
certificate of no impediment, all required documents above.
Residency
requirement: 2 days.
Full Seychelles marriage law here.
