Qualifying couples have until August 31 to register their customary marriages under a two-year special registration period declared by the Department of Home Affairs.

The special registration period, which runs from September 1, 2024, to August 31, was introduced to enable parties to customary marriages that were not registered within the prescribed period to regularise their marital status.

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Unregistered and pre-2000 unions eligible

This includes customary marriages concluded before the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act came into effect in November 2000, as well as marriages concluded thereafter that were not registered within the prescribed timeframe.

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With only a few weeks remaining before the deadline, the department urges qualifying couples not to wait until the last minute, as this may result in unnecessary queues and delays.

The department calls on traditional leaders, community leaders and civil society organisations to help raise awareness of the August 31 deadline and encourage qualifying couples to register their customary marriages without delay.

Members of the public who require further information on the application process or supporting documents should visit their nearest Home Affairs office.