Kenya, an increasingly popular wedding destination for
couples who wish to marry abroad, is one of the most beautiful countries in the
world with its dramatic forests, magnificent mountains, and vast savannah
plains. Read on for Varsity Scope’s guide to getting married in Kenya!
Many couples are choosing to marry abroad, and Kenya is a
growing favourite location. Though it may seem like a very difficult thing to
organise, it’s not as big of an operation as it first appears—especially if you
invest in the right support, such as a wedding planner or tour operator.
What Kind of Wedding Ceremonies Can I Have in Kenya?
If you wish to celebrate your wedding in Kenya, there are a
few options available:
Religious Ceremonies
All types of wedding ceremonies are recognised under Kenyan
law: for example, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, and traditional Kenyan. The Kenyan
registrar will hold records of Christian ceremonies, and marriage certificates
are issued for Christian, Hindu and Islamic ceremonies. Affidavits are issued
for traditional African ceremonies.
For some religious ceremonies in Kenya, it’s very important
that you contact your church and the registrar of marriages for information and
requirements, paperwork, and terms and conditions. This is because, for example,
one thing you may need to know is what act your chosen church falls under—many
Kenyan churches use the African Christian Marriage & Divorce Act, which is
unsuitable for non-Africans who can only get married under the Marriage Act
(Cap 150/1).
Civil Ceremonies
A civil ceremony can be arranged if a religious ceremony
isn’t for you, or if you’d simply prefer to get married in a special location.
Civil ceremonies in Kenya can be held anywhere from a register office to a
venue of your choice—as long as the venue holds a special wedding license. Make
sure you check this beforehand!
Blessings / Renewal of Vows
Couples can organize to have a blessing ceremony to
celebrate their union, or married couples may choose to renew their vows. These
can take place in a choice of beautiful locations and with very little
paperwork, though no official certificates are supplied.
What’s the Wedding Paperwork?
As soon as you decide on the type of wedding you want, and
the location, you’ll need to contact the registrar general in Nairobi with all
of the necessary documentation in order to receive a special marriage license.
Afterward, you’ll then need to arrive in Kenya at least four days in advance of
your wedding in order to finalise all the paperwork.
The paperwork needed to apply for a special license
includes:
- Residency: Residency
in Kenya is usually 21 days, so a couple should notify their church and
the office of the registrar general at least 21 days before the wedding
date. However, if this isn’t possible, (e.g. a couple are due to arrive in
Kenya only a few days prior to the wedding) a special licence can be
obtained beforehand by contacting the registrar of marriages at the
registrar’s office in Kenya. With this, no period of residency is
necessary and it means the marriage will still be recognised under the
Marriage Act.
- Proof
of ID: You’ll need to produce your original birth certificates,
valid 10‐year passports, and visas. If you’re adopted, all adoption papers
must be provided.
- Proof
of Status: A statutory declaration (an affidavit) must be
obtained from a solicitor or notary that states both you and your partner
are single and free to marry. This must be stamped and sealed and state
the words “solicitor”, “notary public”, “Commissioner of Oaths”, or
similar. Handwritten documents are not accepted.
- Divorced: If
you’re divorced you must produce your Decree Absolute with a court stamp.
- Widowed: If
either you or your partner is widowed, you must provide the death
certificate of your deceased spouse and a previous marriage
certificate.
- Age
Restrictions: If you’re under 21, you’ll need to obtain parental
consent in the form of a statutory declaration (an affidavit) stamped and
signed by a solicitor.
- Name
change: All relevant paperwork must be provided; if your name has
been changed by Deed Poll, you must provide legal proof stamped and signed
by a solicitor. This also applies if you’re divorced and have reverted
back to your maiden name.
- Marrying
in a Church: If you plan to marry in a church, it’s helpful to
supply a supporting letter from your home priest / pastor.
If your paperwork isn’t in English, an official translation should be attached to the originals
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