Civil Marriage Registration In Uganda
A civil marriage is a marriage performed, recorded and recognised by a government official. Such a marriage may be performed by a religious body and recognised by the state, or it may be entirely secular.
Those intending to get married are required to give notice to the marriage registrar in the district where the marriage is going to occur. The registrar would then publish a notice of marriage and then issue a certificate after 21 days if no objection is raised.
An LC 1 letter clearly stating duration of residence in the district in which the marriage is intended to be solemnized (this should not be less than 15 days). One passport size photograph each for the groom and the bride. A Photocopy of a VALID ID for each of the two Adult witnesses.
Contracting A Civil Marriage In Uganda
Proof of citizenship for example a passport or national identification card
An LC 1 letter clearly stating duration of residence in the district in which the marriage is intended to be solemnized (this should not be less than 15 days).
One passport size photograph each for the groom and the bride.
A Photocopy of a VALID ID for each of the two Adult witnesses
Registered marriage affidavits that conform to Section 10 of the Marriage Act;
In case of foreign citizens, a letter from the Civil Registration or Vital Statistics Office of their country confirming that the party is not married.
For the case of Foreign Citizens, Copies of Valid Visas upon entry into Uganda shall be required on the Marriage Date
For the case of Divorced/Widowed intendants to the marriage, certified copies of Divorce Decree Absolutes or death certificates shall be required
For the case of Documents authored in any Language other-than English, Translations of the same shall be required
For the case of refugees, a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister on the marital status of the intendant shall be required
• One of the intending parties to the marriage should fill a Notice of Marriage Form (Form A according to the Marriage Act) (indicating their names, marital status, age, occupation and place of abode)
The client should attach evidence of payments of the prescribed fees. The fees must have be paid in any bank of choice after generation of a payment registration number (PRN) from the URA portal Alternatively, a client can exercise the self-assessment option by logging on to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) website at www.ura.go.ug
The Notice form, accompanying documents and receipts should be submitted to the Registrar of marriages of the district of Residence of one of the parties to the marriage (For Kampala Residents, this may be done by scanning the documents as a single PDF file and sending via email to marriages@ursb.go.ug ) The intending couples are encouraged to indicate Valid Phone Contacts on the Notice Form
The Notice of Marriage is published on the Notice board of the District Registrar of Marriages for 21 calendar days.
If there are no objections to the notice of marriage, the ceremony takes place after 21 calendar days but not before the lapse of 90 calendar days. Marriages are celebrated from Monday to Friday, between 10 am and 4 pm
On the day of the marriage solemnization, the parties appear with the two adult witnesses before the Registrar who performs the ceremony and thereafter issues a Marriage Certificate (Form E according to the marriage Act)
If there is an objection, a caveat is placed and the matter is referred to Court for settlement.
Cost Of Civil Marriage Registration In Uganda
UGX 25,000 where the applicant is a Ugandan or a Refugee
UGX 189701.80 where the applicant is a foreigner
Converting A Customary Marriage Into A Civil Marriage In Uganda
Any persons married under customary law can convert that marriage into a civil marriage by ceremony before a Registrar of Marriages. Persons married under customary law should have registered their marriage with the Sub – County Chief or Town Clerk in their area within 6 months.
The Sub-County Chief or Town Clerk shall issue them with a Certificate or Registration of their customary marriage. A conversion would be null and void where either of the parties, at the time of the celebration of the marriage, is married by customary law to any other than the person with whom the marriage is held.
All the requirements for contracting a civil marriage have to be submitted to presiding registrar before a certificate is issued.
Licensing A Public Place Of Worship To Celebrate Civil Marriage Registration In Uganda
To obtain a license to celebrate marriages under the Marriage Act, there must be:
An Application letter addressed to the Honorable Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MOIJA), through the Registrar General from the church clearly indicating the religious denomination, Location and whether the church is an affiliate of an already registered church, a recommendation letter from the mother church.
The legal entity under which the church is operating (Certified copy of the certificate of Registration as a Company by Guarantee or NGO or Trust).
Proof of Ownership of Land or rights to the land.
A place of public worship (a permanent structure)
Physical photographs of the church i.e. interior and exterior
Recognized marriages celebrants and their valid identifications (Religious leaders like Pastors, Reverends, Priest and any clergy recognized by that faith).
Inspection Report from the Registrar of Marriages within the area.
Evidence of payment of Ug. Shs 200,000 into the consolidated fund (by way of receipt from the bank).
Submit the above stated letter, attachments and proof of payment to the Registrar General.
Collect the license from URSB after 5 working days.
Submit License to UPPC for a gazette.
Submit copy of Gazette to URSB (Civil Registry)
Submit monthly returns to the Registrar of Marriages.
The Marital Status Letters For Civil Marriage Registration In Uganda
This letter is issued to Ugandans wishing to have their marriages performed outside Uganda. The letter confirms that the applicant is single and has capacity to enter into a marriage. The applicant presents the following documents in support of his or her application;
A recommendation letter from the LC1 chairperson of the locality where the applicant resides.
A photocopy of the applicant’s long birth certificate to prove parentage.
Proof of nationality for example a passport or national Identity card.
A registered statutory declaration from the applicants to prove that he/she is single.
A registered statutory declaration from the parent to prove that their son/ daughter is single.
Forms For Civil Marriage Registration In Uganda
| Form Number | Name | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit | SECTION 10 CAP 251 | |
| Certificate of Customary Marriage | 6 | |
| Church Marriage Return (Form F) | N/A | |
| Notice of Marriage | N/A | |
| Statutory Declaration for Single Status Letters | N/A |
Office Location For Civil Marriage Registration In Uganda
Uganda Registration Services Bureau,
Uganda Business Facilitation Centre Plot 1 Baskerville Avenue, Kololo
Toll Free: 0800 100 006
Call Center: +256 417 338 100
Phone: +256 414 233 219 / 0417338000
Whistle Blower Hotline: 0414673200
WhatsApp: 0712 448 448
Fax: +256 414 250 712
ursb@ursb.go.