Register your customary marriage before deadline

Department of Home Affairs encourages qualifying couples to register their customary marriages before 31 August deadline

2 hours ago

Gugu Myeni 1 minute read

Couples urged to register their customary unions PHOTO: Mai Quin/Pexels

Couples who want to register their customary marriages are urged to do so before the special registration period closes.

The special period, which began in September 2024, allows those in customary marriages – not registered within the prescribed period – to regularise their marital status.

“This includes marriages concluded before the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act came into effect in November 2000, as well as those concluded thereafter but not registered within the required timeframe,” Home Affairs issued in a statement.

The department says qualifying couples should register without delay to avoid unnecessary queues as the 31 August deadline looms.

“Traditional leaders, community leaders and civil society organisations are also encouraged to help raise awareness and ensure that affected couples are informed of the approaching deadline.”

People are urged to visit the nearest Home Affairs office for more information.

The Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 intends:

* to make provision for the recognition of customary marriages;
* to specify the requirements for a valid customary marriage;
* to regulate the registration of customary marriages;
* to provide for the equal status and capacity of spouses in customary marriages;
* to regulate the proprietary consequences of customary marriages and the capacity of spouses of such marriages;
* to regulate the dissolution of customary marriages;
* to provide for the making of regulations;
* to repeal certain provisions of certain laws; and
* to provide for matters connected therewith.

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