MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

WHO MAY APPLY AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS CAN AN
APPLICATION BE MADE

Any person may apply for a copy of a Marriage Certificate provided the particulars have been registered with the South African Government. The fact that the person concerned may have died in South Africa does not necessarily mean that his/her death was registered with the South African Government.
The person who is making the application must state clearly the reason for the application.


REQUIREMENTS FOR A COPY OF A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

• Please indicate clearly if you want an abridged, unabridged or vault copy of a marriage certificate.
  
  
• If you have a previous certificate, please attach a certified copy so that it may be easier to trace the record.
  
  
• Submit a stamped self-addressed special delivery envelope (obtainable from any UK Post Office).
  
  
• Download form BI- 130 and fully complete in black ink.
  

PRESCRIBE FEES

The prescribed fee for all certificates is £4.00 Only cash or Postal Orders are accepted. Postal Orders must be made payable to South African High Commission.

PROCESSING PERIOD

• Unfortunately the tracing of original records in the register held by the National Department of Home Affairs is a time consuming task, with the result that these applications are likely to take a minimum of five months and possible longer.
  
  
• Due to the nature of these applications, we do not accept telephone inquiries regarding the progress of application. Request for progress reports ultimately delays the application. If a request must be made please put this in writing so that we may refer them directly the appropriate section at the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria.
  

Forms to be downloaded:

form BI- 130