Document requirements for marriages

SECTION  A  –   DOCUMENTS  required for  SOUTH  AFRICAN  CITIZENS   (whether residing in SA or abroad)

A.1 Certified copies of  SA ID book/card** of both Bride and Groom.  SA passports or driver’s licences are not accepted 

A.2  3 ID photos each of Bride and Groom

A.3 Certified copies of ID  book/card of two witnesses as well as their telephone numbers  

A.4 If Divorced – a certified copy of Final Divorce Decree         

A.5 If widowed – a certified copy of Death Certificate of deceased spouse

Kindly note :  ** In the case of the new SA ID Smart card a copy of the front and the back of the card is required

SECTION  B – DOCUMENTS  required for  ALL  FOREIGN  CITIZENS  (including non-SA citizens carrying a green SA ID)

B.1 Certified copy of  Passport            

B.2 Certified copy  of valid customs entry stamp   OR  Permanent residence certificate    

B.3 If never married – an  original Letter of Non Impediment  from your home country with Apostille    ***

B.4 Should your country not issue letters of Non-Impediment, an official  Affidavit from your authorities to this effect is required as well as a personal Affidavit declaring your single marital status   ***

B.5 If Divorced – the original copy of Final Divorce Decree    (court stamp clearly legible)  as well as an Affidavit confirming that no marriage has been entered into since the date of divorce

B.6     If widowed – the original Death Certificate of deceased spouse   ***

                as well as an Affidavit confirming that no marriage has been entered into since the death of spouse

B.7     3 ID photos each of Bride and Bridegroom

B.8     We will prepare the DHA-31 Affidavit  for you to sign before ourselves as Commissioner of Oaths declaring you are  

                not in possession of a SA ID document 

B.9     Certified copies of ID documents of two witnesses as well as their contact numbers  – foreigners may sign  

               as witness in which case, a copy of their passport as well as the valid customs entry stamp is required 

*** ALL  international documents must be originals, with Apostilles & where applicable,  officially translated in English

SECTION  C   –    MARRIAGES   between  a  SA  CITIZEN   and   FOREIGN  CITIZEN   –   Procedure to be followed 

C.1   Couples must be interviewed by an Immigrations officer of HA for purpose of determining that the marriage

             is not one of convenience.      

C.2   This interview has to take place  before the date of your marriage 

C.3   All original documents as stipulated in  section B.1-6  have to be submitted personally to the Immigration’s officers  

             stationed at the  Bellville or Khayelitsha offices  when applying for an interview 

C.4   A referral letter  which we will draft and email to you is required to accompany your documents.  

C.5   Immigrations require your documents to be submitted at least 2/3 weeks before the marriage to allow them enough

             time for verifying international documents with the Embassy concerned as well as the validity of the entry stamp      

             at customs airport control.      You will then be given a date for your interview 

C.6   A report will be issued after the interview granting permission for your marriage to be officiated.

We will do whatever we can to assist you but  HA requires you to personally to submit these documents  

KINDLY NOTE:         

  1. a)   An interview is NOT necessary for marriages between  two non-SA citizens
  2. b)   Assylum seekers and refugees have to be married at one of the Home Affairs offices – Marriage Officers do not

      have authority to marry these individuals

Should you be residing in other parts of SA enquire at your nearest Immigrations Office whether they are prepared 

to conduct this interview there,  clearly stating that you are to be married in the Western Cape  and request that the Immigration’s report be forwarded to the Bellville, Western Cape office