Requirements For Civil Marriage In Uganda
Civil marriages – These are monogamous in nature and celebrated in the office of the Registrar General for residents of Kampala and in the offices of Chief Administrative Officers for the other 120 districts. Moslem marriages – These are celebrated in accordance with the rites and observances of the Islamic faith. A civil marriage is whereby the state grants a couple legal recognition of their partnership in accordance to the marriage laws of the country. Every wedding needs to have two witnesses to sign the Marriage Certificate. The only requirement is that these two people need to understand what they are doing they are signing to confirm that they have witnessed a lawful ceremony conducted by a registered Celebrant.
A civil ceremony is a marriage without any religious context, performed by a registrar. The ceremony is legally binding. Some people choose to have a longer religious ceremony (or non-religious blessing such as a commitment ceremony), and do the civil ceremony either before or after that to ensure they’re legally wed. While, again, requirements vary from state to state and, in some cases, by county a civil ceremony is generally presided over by a legal official. That person can be a justice of the peace, county or court clerk, notary public, judge, or magistrate. If you go to the city hall, that person will be provided.
If a couple is in a civil union they get inheritance rights, employment benefits, property, parental rights, and more. Marriage is also a lawful relationship between two people that provides legal protection to a couple. Marriages, however, provide benefits at the federal and state level. The main disadvantages of a Civil Marriage are that it’s not nearly as easy to terminate. You automatically accept specific rights and responsibilities as husband and wife when you marry. In a Civil Marriage, the married man and woman usually share the same residence.
On the date of marriage, the couple will go to the Registrar’s office with two witnesses. The couple will be granted a marriage certificate which is valid as long as the couple is married. Two hard copies of the marriage certificate are issued to the couple while one is retained at the Attorney General’s office. Uganda has got several forms of recognized marriages. These are customary, Muslim, Church, Civil and Hindu marriages. Customary marriages are celebrated according to the rites of an African Community and one of the parties to the marriage must be a member of that community.
Procedure For Civil Marriage In Uganda
Article 18 of the Constitution mandates the Government of Uganda to register all Marriages that occur in Uganda. The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is the Government Agency responsible for this function. URSB administers all the laws relating to marriage in Uganda.
Ways Of Applying For Civil Marriage In Uganda
After, the marriage ceremony, the couple is supposed to appear with all the required documents and two witnesses before a sub-county chief of the area where the ceremony took place or the town clerk, if the marriage took place in a town or municipality
Approach the service desk and inform the attending officer your request to register your marriage
Fill in the registration form and you should all sign the form for affidavit, i.e. the couple plus the witnesses
Pay the recommended registration fees
A certificate of marriage will be issued on payment of a fee. Thereafter, a copy of the certificate and a cover letter from the sub-county chief or town clerk, are brought to URSB offices for the marriage to be registered and entered onto the Marriage Register.
Required Documents For Civil Marriage In Uganda
Proof of nationality for example a voters card, passport or national identification card.
An LC 1 letter to prove residence in Kampala district for at least 15 days.
A passport size photograph for identification.
Marriage affidavits that conform with S.10 of the Marriage Act
In case of foreign nationals, a letter from your Civil Registration or Vital Statistics Office confirming that the party is not married.
Where parties are between 18 and 21 years, they should in addition to 2 above submit:
A birth certificate to prove parentage.
A consent letter from the father or mother or legal guardian
A photocopy of the identification of the consenting authority
Forms Fees For Civil Marriage In Uganda
| Service | Details | National Applications (Ugx) |
|---|---|---|
| Celebration of marriage | 20,000 | |
| Issuing of marriage certificate | 25,000 | |
| Registration of marriages a) Marriages conducted at URSB. b) Marriages conducted at the Districts | 25,000 | |
| Customary Marriages | Issuance of customary Marriage Certificate | 20,000 |
Office Locations & Contacts For Civil Marriage In Uganda
Uganda Registration Services Bureau
Plot 5 George Street, Georgian House
P.O.Box 6848 Kampala Uganda
URSB General Line: +256 414 233 219
Registrar General: +256 414 235 915
Fax: fax Line: +256 414 250 712
E-mail : ursb@ursb.go.ug
Website: URSB
Other branches
Kampala
Posta Uganda Main office
Kampala Road Booth 2 & 3.
UIA Offices, Twed Plaza
(1st Floor) Lumumba Avenue.
Nakivubo – Sekaziga House Floor 1, Nakivubo mews.
Mbale – Plot 3, Park Crescent.
Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Mbarara– Plot 1, Kamukuzi Hill
Gulu – Plot 6B Princess Road
Arua – Plot 42/44 Packwach road
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
P.O BOX 7279
KAMPALA(U)
TEL: 0417-442054
E-mail: info@ura.go.ug
Website: http://www.ura.go.ug