Summary Note:

• Regulatory compliances for a non-Tanzanian to get married in Tanzania.

Overview

In order for a foreigner to be married in Tanzania, one must comply with the laws of Tanzania specifically “‘The Law of Marriage Act, 1971″. It must first of all be performed by a certified marriage practitioner and duly registered in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The following are the procedures to be followed by a foreigner in order to successfully be married in Tanzania.

1. Obtain a certificate of no impediment. The certificate should be awarded by the residence countries of the respective partners. In case the document is in a language other than English or Swahili, it should be translated to English Language.  The certificate proves the following;

• That you don’t have a subsisting marriage,
• That you are divorced (relevant divorce certificate(s) attached), or
• Or you are widowed (relevant death certificate(s) attached.

A Certificate of No Impediment must be completed and notarized by a notary public in Tanzania. You should also have your birth certificate. If you will marry in a church, you will need a letter from your home pastor/priest.

2. Apply for notice of marriage or “special or marriage certificate“: The next step will be to contact the Office of the District Commissioner nearest to your wedding location to notify the government of your intention to get married.  Then upon arrival you shall complete the necessary forms, pay the required fees and submit the following documents to the Registrar of Marriages;

• Notarized copy of passports,
• The Certificate of No Impediment, and
• Two passport photos each.

Normally the procedure is to wait twenty-one days (21 days) after notifying the Registrar in order to wait for any persons with adverse information to register their complaints.

However, this requirement can be waived by applying for a “Special Marriage License” from the local Registrar of Marriages. After completing the application form for “Special Marriage License” and paying the fee, the Registrar can issue the license and you can be married at any point.

In order to get a Special Marriage License, upon arrival, the couple will have to submit; a Certificate of no Impediment together with their Passports and a prescribed fee of TZS 200,000/=.

It will normally takes one or two days to get the License, after which the couple would notify the District Registry (Registrar) of their intention to get married.

3. The marriage process: After completion of twenty-one days or the grant of a “Special Marriage License,” you need to schedule a time for your wedding with the Registrar of Marriages. The civil ceremony can be done at the Registrar’s office during working hours or any other location of your choice, however this might require extra fees. Further, the couple must have two witnesses of their choice- either resident or non-resident. After completion of the marriage ceremony, the registry will issue a Tanzanian Marriage Certificate (in duplicate).

The couple will have to register the Marriage Certificate at RITA in order for it to be recognized in Tanzania for a fee of TZS 200,000/=.

If in need of an International Certificate of Marriage on returning to your home country, then the Marriage Certificate must be brought back to the Registrar of Marriages for registration. This is done by making an application for registration of a Foreign Marriage for a fee of TZS 22,000/= and there after a copy of the entry in the Register of Foreign Marriages is obtained.

In order to be issued with an International Marriage Certificate an additional TZS 7000/= will have to be paid. The International Marriage Certificate must be endorsed by the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs legal department before it’s presented to your Embassy for legalization.

Disclaimer: This article is authored by Irene Gunze, an Advocate and Head of Corporate Services from Rive & Co, a new and innovating law firm as a result of the partnership between ABC Attorneys, Sepia Attorneys and Stallion Attorneys, built on the foundation of trust, credibility, and novelty, offering expert legal solutions.  This Article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is recommended to consult with a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.