ANC Contracts
An antenuptial contract determines how your assets and debts are handled in marriage. It must be signed before the ceremony.
What is an antenuptial contract?
An antenuptial contract (ANC) is a legal agreement signed before a marriage that determines how the couple's assets and debts will be managed. In South Africa, if no ANC is signed, the marriage defaults to in community of property — which means all assets and debts are shared equally.
Important: the ANC must be signed before the ceremony
An antenuptial contract must be signed before the marriage ceremony and registered at the Deeds Office within three months. It cannot be entered into after the wedding. If you want an ANC, arrange it with an attorney before your ceremony date.
Our role
We are marriage officers, not attorneys. We conduct the ceremony and handle the legal registration — but we do not draft or advise on ANCs. If you need an ANC, you should consult an attorney before booking your ceremony date. We can advise you on timing and what to bring on the day once the ANC is in place.
On the day
If you have an ANC, bring a copy of the signed and notarised contract to the ceremony. It is not required for the marriage registration itself, but it is useful to have on hand.
Questions about an ANC?
We can point you in the right direction. An attorney handles the ANC itself, but we can help you understand what you need and when.