Court Wedding/Marriage in Nigeria: The Requirements You Need To Know

In Nigeria, we have different types of marriages. We have customary marriage (also known as traditional marriage), religious marriage and court marriage. The court wedding or marriage is the one officially recognized by the Federal government of Nigeria as proof of contract between a man and woman as husband and wife.

Due to the Corona virus pandemic the world is currently facing, with wedding dates postponed, large gatherings prohibited, many couple are considering their options and it is a great time to learn everything you need to know about getting married legally in Nigeria.

In accordance to the Marriage Act, CAP M6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004), the Ministry of Interior is charged with carrying out statutory marriages in Nigeria. There are two types of marriages which are recognized under the law, and they are:

Ordinary Marriage: This is a marriage between a Nigerian and a Nigerian.

Special Marriage: This is a marriage between a Nigerian and non-Nigerian or between a non-Nigerian and a non-Nigerian in Nigeria.

Requirements For an Ordinary marriage

Husband:

·      Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age

·      Passport photograph

·      Sworn affidavit of Bachelorhood from a law court/ Bachelorhood Certificate (If bachelor)

·      Affidavit of Marriage (If already married)

·      Evidence of Divorce – Decree 90 and Decree Absolute (If Divorced)

·      Death certificate of Previous Wife (If a Widower)

·      Evidence of Annulment from Court (If previous marriage annulled)

·      Sworn Affidavit of Single with Child/Children (if single with child/children)

     Wife:

·      Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age

·      Passport photograph

·      Sworn affidavit of Spinsterhood from a law court/ Spinsterhood Certificate (If Spinster)

·      Affidavit of Marriage (If already married)

·      Evidence of Divorce – Decree 90 and Decree Absolute (If Divorced)

·      Death certificate of Previous Husband (If a Widow)

·      Evidence of Annulment from Court (If previous marriage annulled)

·      Sworn Affidavit of Single with Child/Children (if single with child/children)

Thankfully, the process is carried out online and all the documents can be submitted online for processing after which you go the registry on your selected date to get married. The timeline for which you can expect to get married in Nigeria is 21 days for an ordinary marriage.

Getting married in Nigeria is now very easy and simple. We wish you a happy married life.