How to Apply for a Marriage Certificate in Kenya via eCitizen

Understanding Marriage Certificate Registration in Kenya

You can now register your marriage and obtain a certificate entirely through the eCitizen portal — no more queuing at county offices to start the process. Marriage registration in Kenya is governed by the Marriage Act and the Civil Registration Act, and as of January 2026, all registrar's certificates and special licences are issued exclusively online through the Office of the Attorney General's portal at oag.ecitizen.go.ke.

Whether you married under civil, Christian, Islamic, customary, or Hindu law, you can register your marriage here. The digital certificate carries a QR code for instant verification by banks, embassies, and government offices — harder to forge, faster to confirm.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Gather these documents before logging into oag.ecitizen.go.ke:

• Original or certified copies of both partners' national ID cards or valid passports
• Copy of birth certificate for each partner (names must match your ID exactly)
• Marriage certificate or licence from your church or mosque (if applicable)
• Statutory Declaration Form on customary marriage (get from the Registrar if applying for customary registration)
• One colour passport-sized photograph per spouse (4cm × 6cm)
• Death certificate (if widowed) or Divorce Decree Absolute (if previously divorced)
• Sworn affidavit confirming marital status if your death or divorce document is more than 2 years old
• National ID copies of two witnesses (your best couple)
• Valid email address and mobile number for both partners

If either partner is deceased, missing, or has an existing marriage, you'll need additional legal documents from a Kenyan court. Scan all documents clearly at 300 DPI or higher — blurry uploads cause rejections.

Step-by-Step eCitizen Application Process

1. Register or Log In: Visit oag.ecitizen.go.ke and create an account or log in using your M-Pesa number or national ID details. Ensure your profile shows your correct personal information.

2. Select Your Marriage Type: Navigate to "Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice," then "Registrar of Marriages." Choose whether you're applying by Notice (the standard 21-day route) or Special Licence (skip the waiting period for urgent circumstances). Then select your marriage type: civil, Christian, Hindu, customary, or Islamic.

3. Fill in Your Details and Upload Documents: Enter both spouses' details, marriage date, and location of ceremony. Scan and upload certified copies of identity documents and supporting forms. eCitizen accepts PDF or JPEG files under 5MB each. Ensure names match exactly across all forms — mismatches cause rejections.

4. Pay the Notice Fee: After submission, the portal will display the current fee. For registration by Notice, you'll pay the notice fee (KSh 600). Check the portal for your specific fees, as they vary by marriage type. Pay via M-Pesa Paybill or card using the number displayed on the portal. Keep your receipt and transaction code.

5. Wait the 21-Day Notice Period: The notice period is mandatory and cannot be skipped. Your application is publicly displayed so anyone with a legal objection can come forward. After 21 days, log back in and book your interview appointment.

6. Attend Your Interview: Both partners must appear in person at Sheria House or your designated Registrar office. Book the appointment through the portal — no walk-ins. Bring all original documents. The Registrar verifies your identities, confirms you're both free to marry, and checks your paperwork. The interview typically takes 20–30 minutes.

7. Pay Your Certificate Fee and Download: After the interview, pay the final certificate fee on the portal based on your marriage type. Your digital Registrar's Certificate becomes available to download from eCitizen approximately 3 days later. No physical collection required — download it directly.

What Each Marriage Type Costs

Fees are set by the Office of the Attorney General and should be confirmed on oag.ecitizen.go.ke before you apply:

• Notice of Marriage: KSh 600
• Christian or Hindu Marriage (licensed place of worship): KSh 800
• Civil Marriage (Registrar's office or licensed venue): KSh 3,300
• Customary Marriage: Approximately KSh 2,500 (check the portal for current rate)
• Special Licence (licensed venue): KSh 7,200
• Special Licence (unlicensed venue, e.g., garden or hotel): KSh 14,200 (for Kenyans) or higher for foreign nationals
• Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate: KSh 1,100

Do not rely on these figures alone. Visit oag.ecitizen.go.ke to confirm the current fee for your marriage type before applying.

Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

Most rejections happen because of name mismatches, blurry scans, or unofficial documents. Double-check the spelling of names as they appear on your national ID before uploading anything. If your marriage licence isn't officially certified by your church or mosque, get it certified first.

If your application is rejected, eCitizen provides detailed feedback. Correct the issue and resubmit — there's no penalty for a second attempt.

System downtime can delay uploads, especially on Mondays. If you see error messages, try again later in the day. If you're unsure about documentation requirements or face persistent issues, civil registration experts on Kaziiko can guide you through the application or help prepare documents offline.

Your Certificate After Approval

Once you've completed your interview and paid the final fee, your digital Registrar's Certificate will be ready within about 3 days. Log into your eCitizen account, go to Registrar of Marriages, find your application, and download the PDF. The certificate includes a QR code that anyone — a bank, employer, or foreign embassy — can scan to verify it's genuine.

If your ceremony is at a church, you'll submit this digital certificate to your vicar or pastor along with any other church paperwork they require. There is no physical certificate to collect from Sheria House — everything happens on the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the entire process online, or do I have to visit an office?

You apply and pay online, but you and your partner must attend an in-person interview at Sheria House (or a designated Registrar office in your county) before your marriage ceremony. This is mandatory. The Registrar checks your original documents and confirms you're both eligible to marry. After the interview, you download your digital certificate from eCitizen — no further office visit needed.

How long does the whole process take?

If you're applying by Notice, expect 10–14 weeks from start to ceremony: 2–3 weeks to prepare and submit documents, 21 days' mandatory notice period, 2–4 weeks to book and attend your interview, then about 3 days for the certificate to generate. Special Licence applications are faster but cost more.

What if my partner and I have different names on our documents?

Name mismatches are a common rejection reason. For example, if one partner's ID shows "Mary Jane Smith" but their birth certificate shows "Mary Jane Ochieng," the Registrar will ask for clarification. Resolve this before applying — contact the Registrar of Marriages or find a verified Kenyan expert on Kaziiko to advise you on correction or affidavit options.

Can I get a physical certificate printed?

As of January 2026, the Registrar of Marriages issues only digital certificates through eCitizen. You can print your downloaded PDF at home or at an internet café. If you need an officially stamped physical copy, contact the Registrar's office directly for special requests — they may incur additional fees.