Official Procedure for Obtaining a Marriage Certificate In South Africa
To get a South African marriage certificate, you submit Form DHA-130 at any DHA branch in South Africa or at a South African embassy or consulate abroad. The same form covers both the abridged (short) and unabridged (full) certificate — you tick which version you need.
The first abridged certificate issued when your marriage was registered is free. All subsequent copies — abridged or unabridged — cost R75.
What You Need Before You Start
Know your marriage registration details. The more information you can provide, the faster DHA can locate the record. You need: both spouses’ full names as recorded at the time of marriage, both ID numbers, the date of marriage, and the name of the church, magistrate’s office, or venue where the marriage took place.
Check your marital status first. SMS the letter M followed by your ID number to 32551 to confirm DHA has your marriage on record. If the SMS returns “not married” or an incorrect status, read Marriage Not Registered at Home Affairs before proceeding — applying for a certificate when the marriage is not on record will result in a failed application.
Decide which certificate you need. The abridged version suffices for most domestic purposes. The unabridged version is required for immigration, emigration, foreign visa applications, and registering your marriage abroad. If unsure, apply for unabridged — it costs the same and is accepted everywhere. Full comparison: Abridged vs Unabridged.
Step-by-Step: Applying Inside South Africa
Step 1 — Download and complete Form DHA-130 Download Form DHA-130 from dha.gov.za. Complete in black ink, block letters. Fill in both spouses’ names exactly as they appeared at the time of marriage — for a wife who changed her surname, use her maiden name as recorded on the original marriage register, not her current surname.
Step 2 — Get certified copies of your ID Take your original South African ID (Smart ID card or green ID book) to a commissioner of oaths — your nearest police station, bank, or post office — and get a certified copy made. Your spouse’s ID certified copy is also helpful but not always required if their details are on the form.
Step 3 — Visit any DHA branch No appointment is needed for marriage certificate applications at most DHA branches. Join the civic services queue. Bring your completed DHA-130, original ID, and certified copy.
Step 4 — Pay the R75 fee Pay at the cashier. Keep your receipt — it is your proof of application if you need to follow up later.
Step 5 — Receive your reference number and wait You will be given a reference number for your application. The abridged certificate is sometimes issued the same day if the record is immediately accessible. The unabridged certificate takes 6 to 8 weeks on average.
Step 6 — Collect your certificate Return to the same DHA branch to collect when notified, or follow up after 8 weeks if you have not been contacted. Bring your receipt and ID.
Step-by-Step: Applying from Outside South Africa
Step 1 — Download and complete Form DHA-130 Same form, same completion requirements as above.
Step 2 — Contact your nearest South African mission Locate your nearest South African embassy or consulate at dirco.gov.za. Most missions require an appointment for civic services. Book before attending.
Step 3 — Submit your application at the mission Bring your completed DHA-130, valid passport (original and certified copy), and your existing marriage certificate or DHA-30/BI-30 marriage register if you have it.
Step 4 — Pay the applicable fee Fees vary by mission and are payable in local currency. Confirm the amount and accepted payment methods with the mission before your appointment.
Step 5 — Wait Applications from missions abroad are forwarded to Pretoria monthly via diplomatic bag. Processing in Pretoria takes a further 6 to 12 months. The South African High Commission in London advises applicants to allow 12 months or longer. Plan accordingly if your certificate is needed for an immigration deadline.
Step 6 — Collect or receive by post Most missions will post the certificate to you once received from Pretoria, using a prepaid envelope you provide at the time of application. Confirm the collection/delivery arrangement with your specific mission.
Documents Required
| Document | Required |
|---|---|
| Completed Form DHA-130 | Always |
| Original South African ID or passport | Always |
| Certified copy of your ID or passport | Always |
| Existing marriage certificate or DHA-30/BI-30 register | Strongly recommended — speeds up tracing |
| Certified copy of spouse’s ID | Helpful, not always required |
Fees
| Certificate | Fee |
|---|---|
| Abridged certificate — first issue at time of registration | Free |
| Abridged certificate copy | R75 |
| Unabridged certificate | R75 |
Processing Times
| Application route | Processing time |
|---|---|
| DHA branch inside South Africa — abridged | Same day to 2 weeks |
| DHA branch inside South Africa — unabridged | 6 to 8 weeks |
| South African mission abroad | 6 to 12 months (allow longer) |
What You Cannot Do
You cannot apply for a marriage certificate online and receive it digitally. The eHomeAffairs portal does not currently support marriage certificate applications end-to-end. The physical document must be collected from a DHA branch or delivered by post.
You cannot apply at a bank. Bank Live Capture services cover Smart ID and passport applications only — not marriage certificates.
You cannot apply on behalf of someone else without a signed and certified letter of authorisation from at least one of the married parties, plus a certified copy of their ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for my marriage certificate at any DHA branch, or does it have to be the one where I got married? Any DHA branch in South Africa. Marriage certificate records are centralised in Pretoria and accessible from any office.
My spouse passed away — can I still get a copy of our marriage certificate? Yes. As the surviving spouse, you are entitled to apply for a copy. Bring your own ID and certified copy. DHA may ask for the death certificate to confirm your status.
We got married over 20 years ago and never got a certificate — is it too late? No. There is no time limit on applying for a copy. However, for older marriages the original marriage register may be held in DHA’s archive vault, which can take longer to retrieve. The DHA-30 or BI-30 register number will help significantly.
The name on my marriage certificate is spelled wrong — do I need to fix it before applying for immigration documents? Yes. An error on the certificate will cause problems at the immigration authority or embassy. Fix it first — see Wrong Information on Your Marriage Certificate.
I need the certificate urgently for a visa application — is there a fast track? DHA has no official fast-track service. Inside South Africa, applying in person at a busy regional office (Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg) sometimes results in faster turnaround because these offices have direct access to the central records. There is no guaranteed expedite option.
My DHA-30 marriage register from the day of the wedding — do I need to submit the original? Not always, but it is strongly recommended. DHA uses the original marriage register to issue the unabridged certificate. Having your DHA-30 or BI-30 reference number significantly reduces the risk of delays caused by failed record tracing.
Can I get the certificate apostilled at the same time? No — apostille is a separate step done at the High Court after you receive the certificate from DHA. See How to Apostille a South African Marriage Certificate.
I am divorced — does my marriage certificate show the divorce? No. A marriage certificate reflects the marriage as it was registered. Divorce is a separate record. For immigration purposes, you would submit both your marriage certificate and your divorce decree.
Related Guides
- Abridged vs Unabridged Marriage Certificate
- How to Get an Unabridged Marriage Certificate
- Marriage Certificate Taking Too Long
- Wrong Information on Your Marriage Certificate
- Marriage Not Registered at Home Affairs
- Form DHA-130 — Marriage Certificate Application
- Name Change After Marriage
- Marriage Certificates — Complete Hub
Official DHA Contact Details
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| DHA Contact Centre | 0800 60 11 90 (toll-free, Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00) |
| Marital status SMS | M + ID number to 32551 |
| DHA website | dha.gov.za |