Get married legally in South Africa
What the law requires, in plain language. We handle the official side — you focus on the ceremony.
What makes a marriage legal in South Africa?
In South Africa, a marriage is legally valid when it is conducted by a licensed marriage officer, both parties are present and give their consent, two adult witnesses are present, and the official DHA-24 register is signed and submitted to the Department of Home Affairs.
That is it. There is no requirement to marry in a specific building, on a specific day of the week, or in any particular way. The legal requirements are about who is present and what paperwork is completed — not how the ceremony looks or sounds.
We are licensed marriage officers. We come to your venue, conduct the ceremony, complete the register, and submit it to Home Affairs on your behalf. Your marriage is legal from the moment the register is signed.
The process from start to finish
Here is how a legal marriage typically works when you work with us:
- Initial consultation. We meet — in person or over video — to discuss your situation, your documents, and the kind of ceremony you want.
- Document check. We confirm what you need to bring to the ceremony. See the full documents checklist.
- Ceremony planning. We write a ceremony that reflects who you are and what you want. Legal does not have to mean generic.
- The ceremony. We conduct the ceremony at your chosen venue. Both of you and your two witnesses sign the DHA-24 register.
- Registration. We submit the register to the Department of Home Affairs. This is what creates your legal marriage.
What you need to prepare
Most South African couples need to bring their identity documents and arrange two adult witnesses with valid ID. There are additional requirements if either party has been previously married or is not a South African citizen.
Our full documents checklist covers every scenario in detail — including divorce, death of a spouse, and foreign nationals.
If either of you is a foreign national, read our dedicated guide on foreigners marrying in South Africa. Additional documentation is required and can take several weeks to arrange, so plan ahead.
Can the ceremony also be personal?
Yes. Many couples think a legal marriage must be a dry, registry-style affair. It does not. We have officiated legal ceremonies on wine farms, in private gardens, at rooftop venues, and in people's living rooms. The legal requirements — identity documents, two witnesses, a licensed marriage officer — do not constrain the ceremony itself.
If you want a full ceremony with vows you have written, music, readings, and a proper procession, all of that is possible within a legal marriage. See our civil wedding page for what that looks like in practice.
Quick links
- Documents checklist — what to bring and when
- Foreigners marrying in South Africa — additional steps for non-South-African nationals
- Civil wedding — the full ceremony, legally registered on the day
- Elopement — just the two of you, legally married
- Pricing — what it costs
Common questions
Do we have to go to a Home Affairs office?
No. When you marry with a licensed marriage officer, they submit the DHA-24 register to Home Affairs on your behalf. You do not need to visit a Home Affairs office before or after your ceremony.
How long does it take for the marriage to be registered?
The marriage officer submits the register after the ceremony. Home Affairs typically processes the registration and updates your status within a few weeks, though processing times vary. Your marriage is legally valid from the moment the register is signed on the day.
Can we get married on a weekend or public holiday?
Yes. We work on weekends and public holidays. The legal requirements are the same regardless of the day.
What if one of us has been married before?
You will need to provide proof that the previous marriage has legally ended — either a final divorce decree or a death certificate. Our documents checklist covers exactly what is required in each scenario.