Check your marital status

What is a fake marriage?

A fraudulent or fake marriage is when somebody uses the ID number of another person in a marriage contract without their knowledge or consent. Victims typically find out about their fake marriages when it’s already too late or when they decide to get married and find out that they’re already married according to Home Affairs records.

The Department of Home Affairs is taking extra measures to limit fake marriages.

According to the Department, there’s been a decrease in fraudulent marriages since the introduction of Smart Card IDs in 2003 because it’s harder to duplicate the old green barcoded IDs. However, fake marriages and identity theft remain a huge concern.

To prevent fraudulent marriages in South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs implemented stricter rules regarding foreign marriages in South Africa.

New rules for foreign national marriages in SA

There is now a strict investigating and interviewing system to reduce fraudulent marriages.

Any couple due to enter into a marriage must book an interview with an immigration officer at their closest Department of Home Affairs. It must take place at least 2 weeks before the ceremony.

Both partners are questioned on the validity of their relationship during the interview. Foreign nationals need to answer questions about how long they've been in the country and whether or not they have a valid visa.

Valid passports and visas are required if 2 Foreign Nationals plan to wed in South Africa. In addition, 2 witnesses must be present at the ceremony and the signing of the marriage register. The Marriage Officer enters the marriage into the register with the signatures of the couple and the witnesses.

Once the register is signed, the marriage officer issues the newlywed couple with a handwritten marriage certificate.

The couple can then hand the certificate to the Department of Home Affairs, who will issue them an abridged marriage certificate at no cost.

You can check your marriage status 

You can check your marital status via SMS:

Type the letter M and your ID number (e.g. M 5001010050080) and SMS it to 32551.

You can also use the SMS line to do the following checks:

• For your ID document application status: type ID then your ID number (e.g. ID 5001010050080).

• For your passport application status: type the letter P and then your ID number (e.g. P 5001010050080).

• For your living status (whether official government records have you listed as either dead or alive): type the letter L and then your ID number (eg L 5001010050080).

• For a duplicate ID number: type the letter D then your ID number (e.g. D 5001010050080).

You'll receive the status directly to your cellphone via SMS.

Contact your local Home Affairs office or the call centre at 0800 60 11 90 for more information.

Sources: www.vandeventers.law and  Department of Home Affairs