What documents do you need to get married?
The documents you need to get married in South Africa – what most couples need, plus what changes when either partner has been married before or holds a foreign passport.
The documents required depend on who you are and what your legal history looks like. For two South African citizens marrying for the first time, the core requirement is straightforward: an original identity document for each partner and two adult witnesses. The list becomes more involved when either partner has been married before, holds a foreign passport, or has any other legal complexity in their background. The safest approach is to confirm the exact requirements with your marriage officer before the ceremony is booked — not on the day itself.
For South African citizens marrying for the first time
For an uncomplicated case involving two South African citizens, the essential documents are:
An original identity document for each partner. A green barcoded ID book and a smart ID card are both accepted. Both partners need their own. Copies alone are not sufficient — the marriage officer needs to examine the originals before the ceremony can proceed.
Two adult witnesses. Both witnesses should be eighteen or older. They will need to be able to confirm their identity on the day.
A registered marriage officer. The officer brings the marriage register and handles all the formal submission to Home Affairs. This is not something the couple arranges separately.
For this scenario, the document process is genuinely straightforward. Most couples find it less complicated than they expected.
If either partner has been married before
A previous marriage must have legally ended before a new marriage can take place. You will need to provide proof that this has happened:
If divorced: the original final decree of divorce confirming the divorce is final and registered. The original or a certified copy is required — a plain copy is not sufficient.
If widowed: the original death certificate of the deceased spouse, issued by the relevant authority.
If a previous marriage was annulled: the original court order confirming the annulment.
These documents must be available before the ceremony. If you no longer have the original and need a replacement, obtaining a certified copy through the court or Home Affairs takes time. Address this early, before a ceremony date is confirmed.
For foreign nationals
Where either partner holds a foreign passport, the document requirements expand. The specific list depends on the individual’s nationality and legal history, but the core requirements for the YWC process are:
A valid, current passport that does not expire before the ceremony date.
Valid immigration documentation — a visa, permit, or entry document that confirms legal presence in South Africa. Bring the originals.
A Letter of No Impediment. This document is issued by the correct government authority in your home country and confirms you are legally free to marry. For the Randburg Home Affairs process we work through, this letter is mandatory unless a documented jurisdiction-specific alternative applies. The correct route for obtaining it depends on your nationality and must be confirmed with us before you request anything, because an incorrect document has to be obtained again.
Proof that any previous marriage has ended, where applicable. As above, this means the original final divorce decree or death certificate. Where the documents were issued in another country, they may need to be apostilled or authenticated before they can be used in South Africa.
Foreign-national marriages also require a Home Affairs interview before the ceremony can be confirmed. This is part of the Randburg process and cannot be booked until the complete document pack has been checked. See Foreign Nationals for the full pathway.
Why originals matter
The marriage officer is required to examine original documents before the ceremony can proceed. In some situations a certified copy is accepted, but originals are strongly preferred and should be assumed as the requirement unless confirmed otherwise in advance.
Arriving on the day with photocopies instead of originals can prevent the ceremony from taking place. If you have any doubt about whether a document you hold qualifies, check in advance rather than on the day.
Timing
Document timelines vary significantly by situation. Two South Africans with no prior marriages can typically gather their documents quickly. Foreign nationals should allow a minimum of two to three months — primarily because of the time required to obtain the Letter of No Impediment and, where applicable, any apostilles on foreign supporting documents.
Prior-marriage documents that need to be retrieved from courts or overseas authorities also take time and should not be left until the ceremony date is approaching.
The general principle: raise document questions before a ceremony date is agreed, not after.
If you are uncertain
Document questions that begin with “it depends” are the ones worth talking through directly with your marriage officer. We can identify exactly which requirements apply to your situation, flag anything that may take more time to obtain, and help you avoid the common mistake of arriving at the ceremony without something that turns out to be essential.
If you have questions about what you will need, contact us and we will help you work through it.
For the full requirements checklist, see Required Documents.