How to expedite an unabridged marriage certificate in South Africa

If you want to travel abroad, you will likely need to submit an unabridged marriage certificate as part of your travel documentation. But there are also other reasons why you would need this certificate. Although many South Africans think obtaining these certificates is relatively quick and easy, it can take much longer than anticipated. In this post, we look at how you can expedite an unabridged marriage certificate in  South Africa and obtain your document as soon as possible.

Understanding the Unabridged Marriage Certificate

Unabridged marriage certificates prove that two people are legally married and that a legally binding marriage contract is in place. These official records denote that two people are in a partnership. It also includes the jurisdictions when wedding licenses are not in place. The certificate proves that nuptials are permissible and that there were eligible witnesses at the wedding. The unabridged certificate, also called a “full marriage certificate,” contains much more information than the shorter, abridged version. The couple receives an abridged version after their wedding is registered with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

Like unabridged birth certificates, unabridged marriage certificates contain more information than short-form certificates and are vital for travel.

How can I apply to expedite an unabridged marriage certificate in South Africa?

The only authority that issues unabridged marriage certificates is the DHA, so an application must always be lodged with them. Embassies, missions, and consulates abroad can also accept applications from South Africans living abroad. However, these applications are forwarded to the DHA Head Offices in Pretoria.

To apply for your certificates, you will need copies of your South African ID document, and you must complete the DHA-130 application form. You will also be asked for a copy of your marriage register (BI-30) form (click to see an example), which you sign on the day you get married.

💡 Please note! For all marriages, Home Affairs has not updated their Marriage Certificate information on the DHA systems. This means that without a BI-30 / DHA-30 marriage register form (click for an example), it is very difficult to obtain an unabridged marriage certificate on your own. Your BI-30 or DHA-30 form is the one you sign together on the day you get married (usually with two photos and fingerprints on the right hand side).

Apostil.co.za can still assist you to obtain an unabridged marriage certificate with your marriage register!

How long does it take to obtain an Unabridged Marriage Certificate from the DHA?

This depends on whether you’re applying in your personal capacity or if you’re using a document assistance service like Apostil.co.za. In most cases where South Africans apply for their official documents from abroad through SA embassies, it can take anywhere between 6 and 8 months for their document to be issued. If you are based within South Africa, it can take up to two months to issue your documents.

These delayed timelines are what is causing many South Africans to turn to document concierge services like Apostil.co.za. We can have civic certificates ready for our clients in between one and six weeks, depending on which document it is and if the express process is chosen.

Need assistance to expedite an unabridged marriage certificate?

If you need help with obtaining your unabridged marriage certificate in the quickest time possible, Apostil.co.za is here to help! We are a professional documentation agency that specialises in South African document assistance.