South Africa issues first Muslim marriage certificate

The first-ever South African marriage certificate with an entry of ‘Muslim marriage’ was issued to a couple whose Nikah (Muslim marriage) was performed at Cravenby Estate in the Western Cape earlier this month, the Al Jama-ah Party said.

This comes as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) confirmed it had issued the first South African marriage certificates officially recognising the “type of marriage” as “Muslim”.

“After changes made to the Department’s internal systems, Home Affairs has granted the first batch of 33 marriage certificates for Muslim marriages for the first time in South African history,” the department said in a statement.

“Members of the Islamic faith community have made extraordinary contributions to South Africa’s history for more than 350 years,” Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said.

“While it comes hundreds of years later than it should have, it is a personal honour for me to preside as Minister over the granting of marriage certificates recognising Muslim marriages.”

Schreiber said this marked a significant step towards enhancing the dignity of this faith community, and reflects the ongoing commitment of Home Affairs to deliver dignity to all their clients. “It is also an expression of nation building, and a celebration of South Africa’s unity in diversity.”

Al Jama-ah said although it has been a long wait for a Muslim marriage certificate in line with Islamic Shari’ah Law, the party commended the DHA.

“Muslim couples can now register their marriages with a valid Nikah certificate with the DHA, and the marriage will be registered on the National Population Register and the couples will receive a South African Muslim marriage certificate,” the party said in a statement.

“The marriages of Muslims has never been recognised in South Africa – despite more than 350 years of Islam in the country – by both the former apartheid government and the new dispensation.”

The party said it has set a target of reaching one million Muslims to get a valid South African Muslim marriage certificate.

Requirements For The Registration Of Nikah Marriage Certificates

South African Muslim Marriage Certificates can now be issued for Muslim Marriage Couples

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Both wife and husband to be present and consent to be married to each other under the Muslim marriage
• Copies of ID documents/ID cards/ Affidavit
• Two representatives need to be present, one from each family, with certified copies of their IDs and a sworn declaration/affidavit from the SAPS from each one confirming full details of the marriage celebration and their attendance. The couple must state the Dowry agreement in their affidavit. A Sharia law marriage certificate, commonly known as a (Nikah certificate), must be submitted for marriage registration.
• If one of the spouses is deceased, the surviving spouse must submit a sworn affidavit, as well as a sworn affidavit by a family member who witnessed the marriage (preferably from the deceased family).
• The issue of a marriage certificate costs R 20.00 after registration, which can take 3-5 working days. 
• If one of the spouses is deceased, the applicant needs to apply for an unabridged marriage certificate with a fee of R75.00 payable

Should you need any assistance – CALL : HOTLINE NUMBER +27 (21) 023 4425

REQUIREMENTS: 

• When visiting Home Affairs please take along your Nikah Certificate
  and ID/Affidavit of both the husband and wife
• Both you and your spouse must be present

WHERE CAN I GET HELP:

1. Advisory Desk 1: Home Affairs, 2 Maynard Mall, 70 Main Road, Wynberg
2. Advisory Desk 2: Home Affairs: Alpha Street, Beacon Valley, Mitchells Plain
3. Oversight Desk: Harrison Street, Johannesburg
4. Oversight Desk: Umgeni Road, Durban

Should you need any assistance – CALL : HOTLINE NUMBER +27 (21) 023 4425

SEE UPDATED CERTIFICATE NOTIFYING HOME AFFAIRS OF CHANGES TO THE REGISTRATION OF MUSLIM MARRIAGES – OCTOBER 2024 <

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE MUSLIM MARRIAGE BILL