Many Nigerian couples hold a colourful traditional wedding and a church ceremony, then discover that neither has been legally registered under the Marriage Act. A statutory marriage, conducted at a marriage registry or a licensed place of worship, gives a couple a certificate that is recognised for visas, inheritance and other legal matters. Understanding the process early avoids problems later.
Types of marriage and giving notice
Nigerian law recognises customary marriages, Islamic marriages and statutory marriages under the Marriage Act. Statutory marriage is monogamous. Statutory marriages can be conducted at federal marriage registries, local government marriage registries or licensed places of worship. Couples must give notice of their intention to marry to the registrar. The notice is displayed for a period so that objections can be raised.
Documents, fees and the ceremony
Registries usually require identification, birth certificates or age declarations, passport photographs and evidence of the couple’s status, such as divorce papers if either has been married before. Fees vary by registry and by how quickly the couple want the ceremony. The ceremony is short, conducted by a registrar, with vows and the signing of the register.
At least two witnesses must be present and sign. The couple receives a marriage certificate. Keep it safe, as it may be needed for visas, name changes and legal matters.
Church weddings and verification
A church wedding is legally a statutory marriage only if the church is licensed and the minister is authorised. Ask your church. Embassies and other institutions sometimes verify certificates, so registering at a recognised registry matters. Customary marriages are valid under customary law, but some couples also register under the Marriage Act for additional legal certainty.
Popular registries include the Ikoyi Registry in Lagos and the federal registry in Abuja. Couples with complex situations, such as previous marriages or foreign spouses, should seek legal advice.
Common mistakes
A common mistake is assuming that a church wedding automatically produces a valid statutory certificate. Another is leaving registration until just before a visa application. Couples should check the status of their church and obtain the certificate soon after the ceremony to avoid delays later. A traditional wedding joins families and a church wedding blesses the union. In Nigerian law, the paperwork at the registry is what gives the marriage a certificate the state recognises.
