How to Check Your Marital Status in South Africa
The Department of Home Affairs maintains a record of every registered marriage in South Africa in the National Population Register (NPR). Previously, you could check this by SMS in seconds. As of August 2026, that free SMS service has been discontinued — this page explains what changed and what to use instead.
The SMS Marital Status Check Is Discontinued
The old method was simple: SMS the letter M followed by your ID number (no spaces) to 32551, and DHA would reply with your recorded marital status — single, married, divorced, or widowed, with the date and spouse’s name where applicable.
Update, August 2026: This SMS service has been discontinued. DHA confirmed to MyBroadband that it was shut down after cybercriminals exploited it for phishing. There is no workaround or alternate number. Full details: DHA Marital Status Check (32551) — Discontinued.
To confirm your marital status now, call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90
Need a Documented, Verifiable Result?
If you need something you can hand to a bank, embassy, or employer as proof — not just a verbal confirmation — Apostil.co.za provides a documented marital status check for exactly that.
Why Checking Your Status Matters
Before applying for a marriage certificate: If DHA has no record of your marriage, submitting Form DHA-130 will result in a failed application and wasted effort. Confirm the record exists first.
Before getting married: If you were previously married and your divorce or spouse’s death is not correctly recorded, DHA may flag an impediment to your new marriage. Confirm your status is recorded as “single,” “divorced,” or “widowed” as appropriate before your wedding day.
Before applying for immigration documents: Immigration authorities and foreign embassies rely on DHA records. If your status in the NPR does not match your reality, this can cause delays or rejections in visa and residence applications.
If you suspect you are a victim of marriage fraud: Fraudulent marriages — where a person’s ID is used to register a marriage without their knowledge or consent — are a known problem in South Africa. Confirming your recorded status through the DHA Contact Centre or a documented check is the fastest way to identify whether a fraudulent marriage has been registered against your ID.
What to Do If Your Status Is Wrong
Status shows “married” but you have never been married: This may indicate a fraudulent marriage has been registered using your ID. Report it immediately to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and to the DHA fraud unit. You will need to obtain a police case number and submit a formal complaint to DHA requesting the fraudulent marriage be investigated and cancelled. Contact the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90 to initiate the fraud report process.
Status shows “single” but you are married: Your marriage may not be registered. This happens when the marriage officer failed to submit the marriage register to DHA, or when the submission was lost or not processed. Read Marriage Not Registered at Home Affairs for the process to have it registered retrospectively.
Status shows “married” but you are divorced: Your divorce decree may not have been recorded with DHA. Contact the DHA Contact Centre with your divorce case number and details of the court that issued the order. DHA’s amendment process will update your status once the court record is verified.
Status shows “married” but your spouse has died: The death may not have been registered with DHA, or DHA’s records have not yet been updated. The death registration process should have updated your status automatically — if it has not, contact the DHA Contact Centre with the death certificate reference.
The name or date on your record is wrong: Read Wrong Information on Your Marriage Certificate for the correction process.
Fraudulent Marriages — What You Need to Know
Marriage fraud in South Africa involves a criminal registering a marriage using another person’s ID number without their knowledge. This is done to obtain immigration or spousal permit benefits, or for other fraudulent purposes.
Signs you may be a victim:
- A DHA Contact Centre or documented check returns “married” to someone you do not know
- You received a DHA notification about a marriage you did not consent to
- Your name change application was rejected because DHA shows you as already having changed your surname via marriage
If you believe you are a victim of marriage fraud, act immediately. Do not delay — the longer the fraudulent record remains unchallenged, the more complex the process of having it cancelled becomes.
Steps to take:
- Obtain a copy of the fraudulent marriage certificate from DHA (Form DHA-130) to confirm the details
- Report to SAPS and obtain a case number
- Submit a formal fraud complaint to DHA’s Fraud and Corruption Hotline: 0800 20 14 93
- Consider engaging an attorney who specialises in DHA matters if DHA does not act promptly
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SMS marital status check still available? No. As of August 2026, DHA has discontinued the SMS check to 32551 after confirming it was exploited for phishing. Use the DHA Contact Centre (0800 60 11 90) or a documented check instead.
How do I check my marital status now that the SMS is gone? Call the DHA Contact Centre on 0800 60 11 90, visit a DHA branch in person for a printout, or use a documented verification service like Apostil.co.za if you need a result you can hand to a third party.
Does checking marital status work for foreign nationals? The DHA’s records only cover South African ID numbers. Foreign nationals are not in the NPR and cannot check status through DHA channels.
How do I know if my status is correct if I can no longer SMS to check? Call the DHA Contact Centre and ask for your recorded status directly, or request a documented check if you need it for a bank, embassy, or employer.
I got married abroad — will DHA show me as married? Only if you registered the foreign marriage with DHA. South African law recognises foreign marriages, but they only appear in the NPR after you notify DHA. See Register a Foreign Marriage in South Africa.
Can I check my spouse’s marital status? Through the DHA Contact Centre, you can generally only get confirmation of your own recorded status directly. For checking another person’s status with their knowledge and consent, a documented verification service may be the more practical route.
My status is correct — do I still need to go to a DHA branch? Not necessarily. A phone confirmation from the Contact Centre is usually enough for your own peace of mind. You only need to visit a branch in person if you need a physical certificate or need to make a correction.
Official DHA Contact Details
| Channel | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Marital status SMS | Discontinued | M + ID number to 32551 — decommissioned due to phishing abuse |
| DHA Contact Centre | Active | 0800 60 11 90 (toll-free, Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00) |
| DHA Fraud and Corruption Hotline | Active | 0800 20 14 93 |
| DHA website | Active | dha.gov.za |