Ghana Marriage Certificate: Requirements and Process

Getting married in Ghana is not just a ceremony—it is a legal process with specific steps, timelines, and documentation. Whether you are planning a traditional wedding, a church ceremony, or a civil signing at the registry, you need to understand which type of marriage you are contracting and what the law requires. Here is a complete guide to the three types of marriages in Ghana, the requirements for each, and the process for obtaining a marriage certificate.

The Three Types of Marriage in Ghana

Ghanaian law recognises three distinct forms of marriage, each governed by different legislation :

Ordinance Marriage – Regulated by the Marriage Ordinance (CAP 127). This is the civil, monogamous marriage. Despite common misconception, it is entirely secular, not a religious or Christian marriage. It is the only strictly monogamous form of legal marriage in Ghana .

Customary Marriage – Regulated by the Customary Marriage and Divorce (Registration) Law, 1985 (PNDCL 112). This is marriage according to the customs of the couple’s community. It is potentially polygamous and requires the consent of both families .

Mohammedan Marriage – Regulated by the Marriage of Mohammedans Ordinance (CAP 129). This is marriage under Islamic law .

The type of marriage you choose determines the process, the requirements, and the legal consequences. It is important to note that a customary marriage and an ordinance marriage are mutually exclusive—if you have contracted one, you cannot contract the other without first dissolving the existing marriage .

Ordinance Marriage: The Monogamous Civil Union

Who Can Contract It

Both parties must be 18 years or older and of sound mind . Both must be present in person to start the registration process.

If either party has been married before under the Ordinance, they must provide a divorce certificate or death certificate as proof that the previous marriage has legally ended. This document must be in English .

Requirements

• Valid ID cards for both parties (Ghana Card, Passport, or Driver’s Licence)

• Completed declaration form, obtained from the Marriage Registrar

• Two witnesses from each side, aged 18 or above and of sound mind

• If one party is not present at the time of filing, a Consent Letter is required as proof of consent to the intended marriage

• If either party has been previously married, a divorce certificate or death certificate

For foreign nationals: If neither party is Ghanaian, they must show a residence permit or have stayed in Ghana for more than 15 working days. If one party is Ghanaian, this requirement does not apply . Some district assemblies require foreigners to have resided in Ghana for at least 14 days prior to filing .

The Process

Step 1: File a Notice of Marriage
Both parties appear in person before the Marriage Registrar in the district where the marriage will take place. They complete a declaration form with the Registrar’s help. The following information is required: names, occupations, places of residence, marital condition (single/divorced/widowed), and fathers’ names and occupations .

Step 2: Publication of Notice (21 Days)
The Registrar publishes the notice of intended marriage on the Assembly’s notice board. This allows any person with a lawful objection to raise a caveat against the issuance of the marriage certificate .

Step 3: Issuance of Registrar’s Certificate
If no objection is raised within 21 days, the Registrar issues the marriage certificate . Some assemblies describe this as the Registrar’s Certificate, which is then presented to a licensed marriage officer .

Step 4: Celebration of Marriage (Within 3 Months)
The marriage must be celebrated within three months from the date of the notice. If it is not, the notice expires and must be refiled .

Step 5: Signing the Certificate
The two parties, together with two witnesses each, must be present to sign the marriage certificate on the scheduled date and time. The certificate is then presented to the parties .

Fees

Marriage registration fees are set by individual district assemblies and are subject to annual review. There is no single national fee. Examples from different assemblies include:

• Ningo-Prampram District Assembly: GH₵ 50.00 registration fee

• La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly: GH₵ 40.00 for Registrar’s Certificate; GH₵ 70.00 for Registrar’s Certificate plus Marriage Certificate

• West Akim Municipal Assembly: GH₵ 50.00 for issuance of notice; GH₵ 160.00 for Registrar’s Certificate; total of GH₵ 260.00 for the full ordinance process

Confirm the current fee at the assembly where you intend to marry.

Customary Marriage: Registration and Process

The Nature of Customary Marriage

A customary marriage is a union between a man’s family and a woman’s family. It is a contract between the man and the woman, but it requires the consent of both families . The essential elements are: agreement by the parties to live together as man and wife, consent of the man’s family, consent of the woman’s family, and consummation by cohabitation .

A key feature is that customary marriage is potentially polygamous. A man who marries under custom can marry other women under custom. He cannot, however, marry any of them under the Ordinance while the customary marriage subsists .

Registration Is Optional, Not Mandatory

The law states that a customary marriage “may be registered.” Registration is not a prerequisite for the validity of the marriage. Whether registered or not, a customary marriage contracted according to custom is valid .

However, registration provides formal legal recognition and is often required for administrative purposes, such as obtaining a passport for a spouse or processing inheritance claims.

Requirements for Registration

Filing for registration of a customary marriage requires a Statutory Declaration indicating :

• Names of the parties to the marriage

• Places of residence of the parties at the time of the marriage

• Date and place of the marriage

• The Statutory Declaration must be supported and signed by the parents of the couple, or family representatives standing in loco parentis to the couple

• Photocopies of valid ID cards of the parties and the parents or family representatives attesting to the declaration

The Process

After receipt of the notice or application, the Marriage Registry publishes the notice on the Assembly’s notice board for 28 days. This allows any person with a valid reason to file an objection .

If no objection is raised, the marriage is registered in the Customary Marriage Register of the Assembly .

Fees

Customary marriage registration fees also vary by assembly. Examples include GH₵ 53.00 at West Akim Municipal Assembly and GH₵ 155.00 at Suada . Confirm the current rate at your local assembly.

What About the Marriage Certificate?

The marriage certificate is the formal legal document that proves the marriage has been registered. For an ordinance marriage, the certificate is signed by the parties and witnesses at the scheduled ceremony and presented to the couple . For a customary marriage, the certificate is issued after the 28-day publication period if no objection is raised.

The certificate is essential for a range of purposes: changing your name on official documents, applying for a spousal visa, processing inheritance, and accessing certain financial and legal rights.

Practical Advice Before You Start

Decide on the type of marriage first. The process, requirements, and legal consequences differ significantly. A customary marriage is potentially polygamous; an ordinance marriage is strictly monogamous. You cannot have both simultaneously .

Check with your local assembly. Fees, processing times, and specific requirements vary by district. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly, for example, has its own Marriage Registry with specific procedures. Contact the assembly where you intend to register to confirm the current requirements and fees.

Gather your documents early. The 21-day notice period for ordinance marriage is a legal requirement, not a formality. If you need a divorce certificate or death certificate from a previous marriage, obtain it well in advance .

Plan for the three-month window. For an ordinance marriage, the ceremony must take place within three months of filing the notice. If it does not, the notice expires and you must start again .

For foreign nationals: If neither party is Ghanaian, ensure you meet the residency requirement (14–15 working days, depending on the assembly) and have a valid residence permit .

Quick Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the types of marriage recognised in Ghana?
Ghana recognises three types: Ordinance Marriage (monogamous, civil), Customary Marriage (according to local custom, potentially polygamous), and Mohammedan Marriage (under Islamic law) .

2. How long does it take to register an Ordinance marriage in Ghana?
You must file a notice of marriage, after which the Registrar publishes it for 21 days. If no objection is raised, the certificate is issued, and the marriage must be celebrated within three months .

3. What documents do I need for an Ordinance marriage?
Valid ID cards for both parties, a completed declaration form, and two witnesses from each side. If either party was previously married, a divorce or death certificate is required. If one party is absent, a consent letter is needed .

4. Is a customary marriage registration mandatory?
No. Registration is optional. A customary marriage is valid whether registered or not. However, registration provides formal legal recognition and is often required for administrative purposes .

5. What is the process for registering a customary marriage?
You file a Statutory Declaration with the required details, supported by the parents or family representatives. The notice is published for 28 days. If no objection is raised, the marriage is registered .

6. How much does a marriage certificate cost in Ghana?
Fees vary by district assembly. For Ordinance marriage, examples range from GH₵ 40 to GH₵ 260. For Customary marriage, examples range from GH₵ 53 to GH₵ 155. Confirm the current fee at your local assembly .

7. Can foreigners marry in Ghana?
Yes. If neither party is Ghanaian, they must show a residence permit or have stayed in Ghana for more than 15 working days. If one party is Ghanaian, this requirement does not apply .

8. What happens if the marriage is not celebrated within three months of the notice?
The notice expires, and the parties must refile the notice of marriage .

9. Can I have both a customary and an Ordinance marriage?
No. A customary marriage and an Ordinance marriage are mutually exclusive. If you have contracted one, you cannot contract the other without first dissolving the existing marriage .

10. Where do I register a marriage in Ghana?
At the Marriage Registry of the District Assembly in the district where the marriage will take place. Examples include the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly, and Ningo-Prampram District Assembly

Source: Accra Street Journal

Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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