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MARRIAGE LAWS AND REQUIREMENTS IN NIGERIA

REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING MARRIED IN NIGERIA

MARRIAGE LAWS IN NIGERIA

Marriage in Nigeria also called matrimony or wedlock is a culturally recognized union between people, called spouses that establish rights and obligations between them. Regardless of any type of marriage ceremony conducted, regular attributes of everyone getting married in Nigeria is obtaining the marriage certificate and the marriage requirements. There are basically three types of marriage in Nigeria, which are Customary Marriage, Religious Marriage (Christian or Muslim marriage) and the Civil Marriage (otherwise known as Court Marriage). The principal marriage law in Nigeria is the Matrimonial Causes Act LFN 2004. The Act stipulates the requirements and conditions for a valid marriage in Nigeria.

Types of Marriage in Nigeria

Customary Marriage

Customary marriage is usually the marriage conducted according to the norms and traditions of a particular place. This is a very common marriage in Nigeria, especially in rural areas. Such marriage is governed by local tradition and customs.

Religious Marriage

Religious Marriage (Christian or Muslim marriage) is the marriage or divine union conducted according to the religious beliefs of the intending couples. It is also called White wedding by the Christians.

Civil Marriage (otherwise known as Court Marriage)

A Court Marriage is usually registered at a Marriage Registry of a state, and this can be found in all the states in Nigeria. It is therefore advisable for the intending couples to pick the marriage registry in the location nearest to them.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS IN NIGERIA

  1. Declaration of marriage: This involves the filing of the Notice Form or Form, A which captures the personal details of the intending couples (Name, Age, Address, Occupation and Marital status), which must be accompanied with two coloured passport photographs. Please note that if the intending couples are minors, a letter of consent from the parents of the minors must be attached to the Notice Form.
  2. The registry then pastes the Notice Form on the notice board at the registry for 21 days, in order to entertain any objection.
  3. If no objection is raised after the 21days, the registrar then issues Form C upon the parties meeting the following conditions:
  • That one of the parties to the marriage has been resident within the district where the marriage is to take place.
  • That either of the parties to the marriage is not married to someone else under customary law.
  • Absence of any lawful impediments to the wedding.

Affidavit of oath

  • After the 21 days, notice has elapsed, the intending couples will approach the Registry for the official ceremony.
  • The parties will be given three separate forms (Affidavit form, Prohibited Degree form and information slip) to assist the registry to obtain information about the parties.
  • The parties will be required to fill the form and submit to the registry and depose to an affidavit declaring that all the information supplied are true and correct.
  • After the declaration of the oath, the parties are expected to pick a date for the marriage ceremony.

Marriage ceremony day

  • On the day of the marriage ceremony, the intending couples are to be accompanied to the Marriage Registry with the witnesses or any person(s) they require to be present on the day.
  • The intending couples and their witnesses will be required to sign the marriage certificate.
  • One original copy of the marriage certificate shall be given to the newly wedded couple.

Conclusion

In conclusion, intending couples wishing to get married in Nigeria must ensure that their marriage is a lawful one by following the right procedure and processes to achieve same, be it Customary Marriage, Religious Marriage (Christian or Muslim marriage) and the Civil Marriage (otherwise known as Court Marriage). The main marriage laws in Nigeria Marriage Act and Matrimonial Causes Act

It is however worthy of note to state that where the same couple have participated in all 3 forms of marriage stated above namely: customary marriage, religion marriage and court marriage, they shall be deemed to have married under the Act and such marriage shall only be governed by the Nigerian principal marriage’s legislation- the Matrimonial Causes Act LFN 2004. Furthermore, a court marriage may also be conducted in an accredited church.

By Resolution Law Firm

Email: info@resolutionlawng.com

Tel: +2348099223322