How much does it cost to get married in court in South Africa
In South Africa, getting married in court no longer happens. Marriages are now performed by Marriage Officers at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) offices or by authorized celebrants from religious organizations. Marriages performed at Home Affairs are completely free of charge.
Here’s a breakdown of the current marriage process:
- ☑️ Marriage Venue: Home Affairs office or a religious institution with a marriage officer.
- ☑️ Marriage Officer: A designated official authorized to conduct civil marriages.
- ☑️ Cost: Free of charge at the Home Affairs office. Religious organizations might have associated fees for using their facilities and celebrants.
What you might incur costs for:
- ☑️ Notice of Intention to Marry (NINM): A small fee is required to file the NINM at the Home Affairs office before the wedding date can be secured.
- ☑️ Marriage certificate: The marriage officer will issue a handwritten marriage certificate (BI-27) free of charge during the ceremony. However, if you need additional certified copies, there’s a fee associated with obtaining them.
- ☑️ Pre-marital counseling (Optional): Some couples choose to undergo counseling, which would incur separate fees depending on the counselor.
- ☑️ Wedding attire and rings: These are personal expenses for the couple.
Here are some resources for further information:
- 📌 Department of Home Affairs – Getting Married: https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/civic-services/marriage-certificates
- 📌 Expatica – A guide to getting married in South Africa: https://www.expatica.com/za/living/love/
