The Department administers the Marriages Act [Chapter 5:17] on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The Marriage Registry is the custodian of all marriage registers solemnised in Zimbabwe. It is also responsible for administering examinations for individuals seeking to become marriage officers.
There are three (3) types of registered marriages i.e. civil, customary and qualified civil marriages.
- Civil marriage is a monogamous marriage and is solemnized by a registered Marriage Officer who is a Magistrate or Minister of Religion.
- Customary marriage is a potentially polygamous type of marriage and is solemnised in accordance with customary law.
- Qualified civil marriage is a potentially polygamous type of marriage which is done according to Islamic rites.
a)Application for a Duplicate Marriage Certificate
Requirements
Statutory fee of US$10
- National identity document /valid passport
- Copy of the marriage certificate or date of marriage.
Statutory fees
Normal processing – US$ 10.00
Processing time
Normal application – within 24 hours (for applications made at Central Registry)
- Application for a Certificate of No Impediment to a Marriage (Non-Marriage Certificate)
Non marriage certificate is issued to confirm the marital status of the person. The certificate is mainly used by Zimbabweans who intend to marry outside the country or those who intend to marry foreigners here in Zimbabwe. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
Requirements
- Statutory fee of US$30
- Birth certificate
- National Identity Document/ valid passport
- Death certificate, Divorce Order, Citizenship Certificate/Confirmation,
Explanatory Affidavits where applicable
Statutory fees
Normal processing – US$ 30.00
Processing time
Normal application – within 24 hours
- Correction and Alteration of errors on Marriage Certificate
These are errors on the marriage certificate concerning personal details of the applicant. The process is done at Central Registry
Requirements
- Original and copies of birth certificates
- National ID or Valid Passport
- Notarial Deed with the gazetted cutting where applicable
- Addendum where applicable
- Self-explanatory affidavit
- Original Marriage Certificate
Statutory fees
Normal processing – US$ 10.00
Processing time
Normal application – within 24 hours
- Document Verification/ Confirmation letter
Requirements
National ID or Valid Passport
Request letter from Foreign Affairs and Embassies
Statutory fees
Normal processing – US$ 5.00
Processing time
Normal application – within 24 hours
- Banns Issuance
Requirements
National ID/Valid passports of both parties
Divorce /Master Certificate/ self-explanatory affidavit(s) where applicable
Statutory fees
Normal processing – US$ 20.00
Processing time
Normal application – within 24 hours
Please Note:
- The Marriage documents can be applied in person however if persons are residing outside the country, they can authorise their relatives through their Embassies.
- Application of Duplicate marriage certificates and Non-marriage certificates can be done at our Provincial offices throughout the country and are sent to Central Registry for processing.
- LIVESTOCK BRANDS REGISTRATION
The Department is mandated, under the Brands Act [Chapter 19:03], to register livestock brands. A brand symbol is a computer generated mark issued by the Registrar of Brands to all interested livestock owners for the purposes of identification. All livestock owners are eligible to register and are issued with a Brand Certificate.
The primary purpose of branding is to identify livestock; ensuring ownership is clear in situations of theft, straying, accidents, and when selling animals.
3.a) Registration of Livestock Brand Certificates
Requirements
- ID/Valid Passport
- In case of company brand:-
- Proof of company registration
- Application letter from company authorities where applicable
Statutory fees
Normal processing – US$ 5.00
Processing time
Normal application – within 24 hours
- Issuance of a Duplicate Livestock Brand Certificates
Requirements
- Statutory fee of US$10
- National Identity Document
Statutory fees
Normal processing – US$ 10.00
Processing time
Normal application – within 24 hours
- Contact details: Muchecheterwa Chiwashira building
Cnr Herbert Chitepo Avenue / Leopold Takawira St
Telephone number: 0242 – 708385-5
702295-9
706311-2
