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THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA - SERVICES: MARRIAGE/DIVORCE
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Applying for a Marriage Certificate
When you get married, you will be issued with a marriage certificate free of charge. If you want to get a copy of the certificate at a later date, you need to ...  > 
Check Your Marital Status
The Department of Home Affairs has launched a new online marriage verification service as part of the Check Your Marital Status Campaign.  > 
Civil Unions
The Civil Union Act (effective from December 2006) allows anyone - regardless of their sexual orientation - to marry either through a civil union, a civil marriage or a customary marriage.  > 
Customary Marriages
In South Africa, the definition of a customary marriage is one that is "negotiated, celebrated or concluded according to any of the systems of indigenous African customary law which exist in South Africa". This does not include marriages concluded in accordance with Hindu, Muslim or ...  > 
Getting Divorced
Married couples can dissolve their marriage through divorce. This ends the marriage and the divorced parties can legally marry again.  > 
Getting Permission to Marry if You are Underage
Boys under 18 and girls under 15 cannot get married without special permission and anyone under the age of 21 has to get their parents' permission before they can get married.  > 
The content on this page was last updated on 10 July 2012