You’ve said yes. You’re wearing the ring. You’ve created seventeen Pinterest boards.
But hold on, hold on. What pre-wedding paperwork is required to actually get you married!?
Here’s the thing: getting legally married in South Africa is genuinely straightforward, once you know what you’re doing. The problem is that for most people this is their first rodeo, and (understandably) they don’t know what is required.
So here’s the low down on pre-wedding paperwork:
I’ve officiated over 350 weddings. I’ve seen couples waltz through the admin with zero drama. I’ve also seen couples arrive at their wedding day missing a document, and trust me, you do not want to be that couple. It’s not an insurmountable hurdle, but it doesn’t feel good on the day. So let’s talk through exactly what you need, why you need it, and when.
First things first: who actually handles this?
In South Africa, civil marriages are governed by the Marriage Act of 1961 and the Civil Union Act of 2006. A legally registered marriage must be conducted by a designated Marriage Officer and registered with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) afterwards.
Your Marriage Officer is not just the person who says the pretty words. They gather and review the pre-wedding paperwork required, complete and sign the marriage register (DHA 1766) on the day, submit everything to the DHA post-wedding, and are ultimately responsible for ensuring your marriage is correctly registered in the National Population Register. It’s a significant legal function, which is why choosing the right one matters.
Not sure what a Marriage Officer actually is versus a celebrant or a pastor? Read: Wedding Celebrants Celebrate! Marriage Officers Officiate
The documents you need: a no-nonsense checklist
For both South African citizens:
- Certified copies of each partner’s South African ID: green barcoded ID book or smart card. Certifications must be original, and have been done within three months of your wedding date.
- Copies of two witness ID’s. Green ID book or smart card. No certification necessary. Over 18, South African citizens.
- Proof of previous marriage termination, if applicable. A copy of your final divorce decree (stamped by the court), or a death certificate if you’ve been widowed. “Final decree” means final, not the initial summons, not the interim order. Not the settlement agreement. The final, court-stamped document.
- Letter from your attorney attesting that you have entered into an ante-nuptial contract. Assuming that you have done so.
- Three colour passport photos of each partner.
- A completed marriage register form, which will be provided to you, for you to populate online.
That’s it for a straightforward, both-SA-citizens wedding. Honestly not scary.
If one of you is a foreign national:
This is where it gets a little more involved, but still very manageable with the right guidance.
- The docs above PLUS
- The a copy of the foreigner’s passport photo page, entry stamp page, and visa.
- Completed BI-31 form. Your Marriage Officer will provide it.
- Letter of No Impediment from your country of origin, an official document confirming you are not already married there. If it’s not in English, it needs a sworn translation.
- A pre-marriage interview with Home Affairs, required for bi-national couples. Conducted by an immigration officer to confirm both parties are entering the marriage freely. Book this well in advance — it can take weeks to schedule, and your marriage cannot be registered without it. Reach out HERE, for more details.
Tip: If you’re a bi-international couple planning a wedding in South Africa, factor in at least three months for the Home Affairs process. The interview booking delays can be real. Start early, stress less.
Timing
In short, if you are hosting a traditional wedding, just get it done! Tick the box. Sort the pre-wedding paperwork and submit to me early so it’s taken off your plate. At a minimum your pack should be provided to me three days prior to your wedding date to ensure I have enough time to review the docs and complete my pre-work. If you have booked a Fast Track Signing, or Va Va Vows you are welcome to provide your document pack on the day, but the online registration form must still be submitted at least three days prior.
What happens on the day?
You and your witnesses, and the Marriage Officer sign the marriage register in triplicate (with a black pen, yes the DHA is particular about this!). And the couple fingerprints too. You receive your handwritten DHA 1765 marriage certificate on the spot, this is your proof of marriage and yes, take it on honeymoon. It has been known to unlock a free bottle of bubbly at check-in!
After the wedding, your Marriage Officer submits the register to their designated DHA office, within three days. And it takes approx. a month for the clerks to upload the data, and update the population register to reflect your new married status. YAY!
We are NOT informed of successful registration. Only unsuccessful ones. Note: I have never had a marriage rejected! I can check your status using a private database about a month after marriage at a cost of R150.
Want to know the difference between the available marriage certificates? There are three! Read: Marriage Certificates Made Simple
Home Affairs directly vs. a private Marriage Officer?
You can absolutely go to a Home Affairs office and marry there. For free. It’s an option. The same paperwork will apply.
But if you want to get married at a venue, in your garden, on a mountaintop, at a restaurant, or frankly anywhere that isn’t a government office, you need a designated private Marriage Officer. And if you want someone who has done this 350+ times, handles the legal register with the care it deserves, and also writes a ceremony that makes your guests cry happy tears, you know where to find me!
Let’s chat?!