You must register your customary marriage within three months of the date of celebration or entering into the marriage to make it legal. This can be done at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or through a designated traditional leader in areas where there are no Home Affairs offices.
Who can legally marry a couple in South Africa?
Both persons to the marriage must give consent to get married and must be older than 18 years of age. A person younger than 18 years of age, needs the permission of his/her parent/s or guardian/s to get married. No person younger than 18 years of age can enter into a civil union.
How can I get married fast in South Africa?
The quickest way to get married in South Africa is to find a Marriage Officer, make an appointment and let them take care of the rest. A Marriage Officer can come to your home or venue or you may go to the Marriage Officer. The cheapest way to get married is at Home Affairs. They will do it for free.
How does marriage work in South Africa?
The spouses must be over 18 to form a valid marriage, except that a girl over 15 may marry under the Marriage Act with the consent of her parents. A person may not marry his or her direct ancestor or descendant, sibling, uncle or aunt, niece or nephew, or the ancestor or descendant of an ex-spouse.
What are the requirements for a foreigner to marry a South African?
What documents are required for getting married in South Africa?
- A copy of your ID.
- Two witnesses & their IDs or passport (if they are a foreign nationals)
- Your IDs or passport (if you are a foreign national)
- Divorce order, if applicable.
- Death certificate, if applicable, in cases of a deceased spouse.
Is Home Affairs open during lockdown?
Home Affairs offices will continue opening Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 15:30. We are extending our operating hours to 19:00 to accommodate people who need to register deaths and births up to 15 February 2021. … Nobody will be allowed to enter any Home Affairs office without a mask.
What documents do I need to get married in South Africa?
Documents required to conclude a Civil Union
- Valid South African identity books for both persons entering into the Civil Union.
- A valid passport if one of the partners is a foreign national.
- A completed Form DHA-1763 (Declaration for the Purpose of Marriage)
How much does it cost to get married in South Africa?
The cost of a wedding. Costs vary greatly depending on the size and location of the wedding. According to professional wedding planners, Great Occasions, the average cost of wedding in South Africa is between R70,000 – R80,000 for 80 to 100 people.
What happens when a South African marries a foreigner?
As a foreigner married to a South African, it negates the need for work permits or business permits to be applied for. … Spousal Permit – For those who obtain a spousal permit, they now hold permanent residency. Permanent residency means the individual is free to work, study or run/own a business.
Does your surname change automatically when you get married South Africa?
Any woman getting married, divorced, or that has been widowed has the option of: Taking their spouse’s surname. Reverting to their maiden name or prior surname. Joining two surnames into a double-barrelled surname.
Can a Commissioner of Oaths marry someone in South Africa?
All marriage officers, special justices of the peace and commissioners are ex officio marriage officers for the district or region in respect of which they hold office. … The marriage officer may only perform the marriage if he/she is satisfied that there is no lawful impediment to it.
Can you legally have more than one wife in South Africa?
Polygyny, which allows a man to marry more than one woman at the same time, is the only form of polygamy that is currently legal in South Africa.
Can a South African marry a foreigner?
After registering a marriage, newlyweds should (or must) apply for an unabridged marriage certificate. … South Africans marrying a foreigner abroad will need to apply for their official DHA marriage certificate through a South African mission (consulate, embassy, etc), again taking many months.
How long does a spouse visa take in South Africa?
How long does a spousal visa take in South Africa? The average processing time of all temporary residence visa applications including spousal visa applications is 8-10 weeks or longer to be processed and finalised on part by Department of Home Affairs.
Can you marry yourself in South Africa?
SA woman proves you don’t need a partner to get married, marries herself. … Sologamy, where people marry themselves, is not legally recognised anywhere in the world, but has become an increasingly popular trend internationally. Woodall-Terblanche is the first reported person in SA to marry herself, the Citizen reported.