Kenya - Replace Lost, Stolen or Damaged Marriage Certificate

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Procedure

• A marriage certificate is a document issued by the Marriage Registrar to certify and verify that a marriage certificate is registered under Civil, Christian, Hindu or Customary Marriage, confirming that the marriage record exists.

Apply in Person:
In Kenya

1. Where a Marriage Certificate has been lost, destroyed, or defaced, or the particulars thereon have become illegible, either spouse or children of the spouse of legal age shall apply for a duplicate with the Registrar of marriage where the marriage the registered.
2. Applicants should ensure that they bring copies of the marriage certificate and the identification documents of both spouses to be able to proceed with the filing of the application.
3. Submit the documents mentioned above to be validated by the Registrar of marriage, who will then issue the applicant the appropriate search form to legibly complete, and submit to the registrar’s office for processing.
4. Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar will check for discrepancies or ineligibility in the application documents. If a discrepancy that cannot be immediately corrected exists in any of the documents, the application and all the submitted documents will be returned to the applicant and should not be re-submitted until the discrepancy has been rectified.
5. The application shall be accompanied by a prescribed fee as may be determined by the Registrar's office. All payments shall be made as per the Department's preferable payment mode.
6. Once the application is filed, applicants will be required to wait for a specific period before their certificate is processed and made available for withdrawal.
7. Where a Registrar is satisfied to the circumstances as to such loss or destruction, shall draw up a duplicate marriage certificate to be withdrawn by the applicant.
8. After the lapse of the processing time, the applicant should check the outcome of the application at the specific Registrar's office to collect the duplicate marriage certificate against his/her identity card and the acknowledgment slip.
9. If the marriage certificate is damaged or defaced, or the particulars thereon have become illegible the applicant will be required to surrender the damaged certificate before he is issued a duplicate marriage certificate.

Abroad Application

1. Applicants should visit the nearest Kenya Diplomatic (embassy/ consulate/ High Commission) and express their interest at the front desk.
2. Submit the supporting documentation as listed under the “Required Documents” section below to be validated by the embassy staff and obtain a Replacement of Lost/Damaged Birth, Marriage, or Death Certificates Search Form. A list of the required documentation (checklist) and copies of the application forms can also be downloaded via Kenya’s Diplomatic website (if available) e.g.

   • Replacement of Lost/Damaged Birth, Marriage or Death Certificates Search Form (Berlin Embassy)

3. Along with the completed application form, submit the required documents and pay the required application fee, which varies from one embassy to another. At the time of submission, a waiting card/slip as an acknowledgment will be issued to the applicant.
4. Processing of the certificate takes 03 months; however, this period may vary from one embassy to another.
5. The application file is then forwarded to Kenya's centralized production center for processing. Upon successful processing, the duplicate marriage certificate is returned to the embassy/consulate where the application was filed to be issued/ collected by the client against the waiting card/slip and identity document.

Please Note
Applicants who want their processed duplicate marriage certificate sent to them by post are advised to attach one of the following to their request(s):

• A registered self-addressed envelope with the appropriate stamps (letter recommendée);
• A pre-paid envelope from any recognized courier service provider.
• Please note; Not all embassies offer the post/mail return service (please consult with the embassy)

NOTE: You can file your application via mail, in some embassies, please confirm with your embassy, if they offer this service since not all embassies offer the service. E.g. Kenya’s embassy in the United State of America.

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Required Documents

In Kenya Requirements

• Duly complement and signed Search Form.
• Copies of the marriage certificate.
• Identification documents of both spouses and the applicant

Abroad application requirements:

• Two (2) duly filled search forms. E.g. Replacement of Lost/Damaged Birth, Marriage or Death Certificates Application Form (Berlin Embassy)
• Two (2) photocopies of the lost/damaged marriage certificate.
• Two (2) photocopies of the photo page of the applicant’s passport.
• Two (2) photocopies of the applicant’s National Identity Card.
• Proof of payment (Bank deposit)
• Any other supporting documents as requested.

Office Locations & Contacts

Registrar of Marriages – Head Office
Office of the Attorney General
Ground Floor, Sheria House, Harambee Avenue,
Nairobi, Kenya
P.O. Box 40112, 00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel No. +254-20- 2227461-9/ 2251355/ 0700-072929/ 0732- 529995
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website Link
Kenya’s Diplomatic Missions Contact Details

Eligibility

• Either spouses or a child of the spouse that is of legal age is eligible to apply.

Fees

• Please consult with the Registrar of Marriage – Offices
• Note: if the application is filed abroad, the applicant will be charged application fees and postal fee that varies from one consulate/embassy to another; please consult with the nearest Kenya mission for more information.

Validity

• A marriage certificate is valid until one of the spouse’s death or in the event of an absolute divorce.

Documents to Use

Replacement of Lost/Damaged Birth, Marriage or Death Certificates Application Form (Berlin Embassy)

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The time around for processing the application in Kenya is approximately 2 months, while for an abroad application is within 3 months or more.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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Instructions

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since January 1908.

Required Information

• Name & address of the applicant
• Telephone number
• Full name of both spouses at the time of marriage
• Place of birth date of birth
• Father’s full name
• Mother’s full name
• Date of registration entry number (the figure shown within the certificate at the top left-hand side)
• other particulars which could help to trace this entry/entry
• Declaration by the applicant

Need for the Document

• A marriage certificate is a document issued by the Marriage Registrar to certify and verify that a marriage certificate is registered under Civil, Christian, Hindu or Customary Marriage, confirming that the marriage record exists.
• The certificate gives you the eligibility to inherit your spouse’s property and also jointly own properties without fear of being denied the right to share the matrimonial property when your spouse dies.
• The certificate enables your spouse joining your health benefits
• The certificate is needed when applying for foreign visa as one of the couple is working in a foreign country
• The certificate is needed when applying for a passport and/or some other such document, which contains the name of one’s spouse.
• It will be very handy if you have to prove that you are a legally married couple in front of any authority.

Information which might help

Enter other information which might help.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Advantages of a marriage certificate

• The certificate is needed for Spouses to file joint taxes and receive tax breaks.
• If you plan on buying a house and need to apply for a mortgage loan, many lenders will ask for a marriage certificate. This is so lenders can check your credit history jointly and separately
• Marriage certificate can also help you migrate with your family to any country without many restrictions.
• If the wife changes her second name and adopts the husband. All her old documents are in her maiden name. The marriage certificate will bind them to her as it will show both her maiden name and the newly adopted name.

External Links

Registrar of Marriages – Kenya

Others

More information which might help people.