Marriage certificate question

M

MisterBigglesworth

Expert Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
3,334
Reaction score
13
Location
/\\/¯¯¯\//\
Hi,

When my wife and I got married, the minister did the whole marriage certificate there. We have kept this paper, but recently cant find where we put it. This paper that you get from the minister, is this the marriage certificate or is it a temp certificate (like a temporary drivers license is given while you wait for the official drivers license)? :confused:
 
Thats the marriage certificate but you can get a replacement from Home Affairs.
 
Ok, I thought so. My wife was checking some employee records helping out at her moms business with filing etc. She came across these more "official" looking ones, all printed out on colour paper etc. I said its probably ones they got from home affairs, cos like us, they lost the original one? Am I right?

EDIT: Just found a few websites that confirm the white paper certificate you get at the wedding ceremony is the official marriage certificate. You can apply for an additional full marriage cert from home affairs for R40. Takes 6-8 weeks to process.

Damn...I MUST find our one. My son is due to be born 10 May....and Im sure they will ask for our marriage cert when he is born.
 
Last edited:
The paper that he gave you filled out in his handwriting IS your marriage certificate.

But the confusion comes in because Home Affairs calls that certificate an "abridged" certificate.

They can issue you with a full "unabridged" certificate which is computer generated.

There is a charge and a waiting period for the unabridged certificate.

But if you still have the original abridged certificate given to you at the wedding that is regarded as your original marriage certificate... and you don't need to get the unabridged one.
 
Garyvdh said:
The paper that he gave you filled out in his handwriting IS your marriage certificate.

But the confusion comes in because Home Affairs calls that certificate an "abridged" certificate.

They can issue you with a full "unabridged" certificate which is computer generated.

There is a charge and a waiting period for the unabridged certificate.

But if you still have the original abridged certificate given to you at the wedding that is regarded as your original marriage certificate... and you don't need to get the unabridged one.
Click to expand...

Thanks for confirming this. After searching on Google (and finally getting results) and replies here...got the needed info. Sorry, price above is outdated. Its now R70, see link below:

http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/services_citizens.asp?topic=Marriage

For those looking for this info as I was, see below. Hope this helps anyone else with same/similar queries:

When you get married, you will be issued with a marriage certificate free of charge. If you want to get a copy of the certificate at a later date, you need to:

* fill in application form BI-130
* submit it at your nearest Home Affairs office
* pay the fee.

An abridged certificate will be issued on the same day that it was applied for. An application for a full certificate takes between six and eight weeks to process.
Click to expand...

http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/directories/services/11532/17759 ( little outdated with prices)

Issuing of the Marriage Certificate

The marriage officer will present you with your original Abridged Marriage Certificate immediately after the ceremony and the marriage officer will register your marriage with the South African Department of Home Affairs.

If you require an Unabridged Marriage Certificate, one can be obtained from the South African Department of Home Affairs and usually takes 6-8 weeks to obtain. Speak to your Marriage Officer as many will gladly apply for one when he/she registers your marriage.
Click to expand...

http://www.sa-wedding.co.za/legal-requirements-for-weddings-in-south-africa/
 
bwana said:
Dont panic. I dont recall them asking for one.

http://www.dha.gov.za/register_birth.asp
Click to expand...

Ja, Bwana is right.... it might just be a matter of course, but showing them your ID books with the same surname is usually enough to register the birth.

But, it is wise to make a few certified photocopies of all your essential documents and keep them in different places.
 
Garyvdh said:
Ja, Bwana is right.... it might just be a matter of course, but showing them your ID books with the same surname is usually enough to register the birth.

But, it is wise to make a few certified photocopies of all your essential documents and keep them in different places.
Click to expand...

Will be making more copies, have a copy of the marriage certificate.

My wife is yet to get her new ID book with my surname, so thats why we need to find the marriage certificate. Becomes an issue at airports...sometimes they ask to see the marriage cert....other times they are not bothered. Better safe than sorry I guess ;)
 
CrazyFig said:
My wife is yet to get her new ID book with my surname, so thats why we need to find the marriage certificate. Becomes an issue at airports...sometimes they ask to see the marriage cert....other times they are not bothered. Better safe than sorry I guess ;)
Click to expand...

This may just turn into a thread about why women should - or should not - take their husbands' surnames when they get married.

Then again, that old horse has been flogged to death (and I am not referring to the husband here)! :)
 
CrazyFig said:
Will be making more copies, have a copy of the marriage certificate.

My wife is yet to get her new ID book with my surname, so thats why we need to find the marriage certificate. Becomes an issue at airports...sometimes they ask to see the marriage cert....other times they are not bothered. Better safe than sorry I guess ;)
Click to expand...
My missus has her improved name in her passport even even though her ID still has her maiden name so we've not had problems at airports. She still carries a certified copy of the marriage certificate in her bag.
 
Last edited:
blunomore said:
This may just turn into a thread about why women should - or should not - take their husbands' surnames when they get married.

Then again, that old horse has been flogged to death (and I am not referring to the husband here)! :)
Click to expand...

Hehehehe...she kept her maiden name for work, which is understandable. To have to re-register as a doctor with my surname is a nightmare, and she earned her title before we got married. So I recon its only fair ;)

bwana said:
My missus has her improved name in her passport even even though her ID still has her maiden name so we've not had problems at airports. She still carries a certified copy of the marriage certificate in her bag.
Click to expand...

My wife has her old ID book in her maiden name, passport in new name so same as you. We also carry around the marriage cert...just need to find it now! :p

supersunbird said:
The shouldn't need the marriage certificate for birth registration.

Go to the following link and just make sure you are both registered as married:
http://www.dha.gov.za/enquiry/marital/status/marital_status.asp
Click to expand...

Sent an sms to verify status, link is above to home affairs website. Got a reply to say status is married. So all good there, thanks! ;)
 
If your wife wants her surname to be the same as yours on the birth certificate but she has her old ID in possession then her old surname will be documented... Luckily, when my son was born we had the marraige certificate availalbe when checking in to the hospital as my wife is still waiting for her new ID (thanks Home Affairs for the great service - no sarcasm at all added).

Hey man, good luck with the birth of your son! It's the best thing to EVER happen in your life! Enjoy it!!!
 
To be on the safe side then, gonna make sure I have the marriage cert, my wifes passport (in her married surname) and my ID book. Gotta come prepared (should there be any funnies)....or my wife will have my balls and not in a good way!

Looking forward to D Day!!! :)
 
Hi. Hoping someone can help. I need a copy of my parent's marriage certificate. They are both deceased and I cannot find the certificate anywhere. What docs would I need to take to Home Affairs in order to apply for a copy. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Rita Trafford said:
Hi. Hoping someone can help. I need a copy of my parent's marriage certificate. They are both deceased and I cannot find the certificate anywhere. What docs would I need to take to Home Affairs in order to apply for a copy. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hi Rita. I would take copies of both ID documents and death certificates. Also any other proof of marriage such as an ANC contract, joint will or account registered in both of their names. It would probably also help if you draft an affidavit detailing who they were and why you need the document. Let me know if you need a template of the affidavit.
 
Hi

I have a copy of the Handwritten Cert from the priest. I need the printed one from Home Affairs. Does my wife have to be present for them to issue it to me ?
 
It is unlikely that I will ask my would be wife to take my surname. I place so little value on that it really isn't worth the effort. It is more unlikely I will ever marry though :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X