There is no single national fee for a Ghana marriage certificate. Each District Assembly sets its own rates, and those rates are reviewed annually. The result is a patchwork of prices that can differ by hundreds of cedis depending on where you register. Here is what the available data shows, and what you should budget for.
The Core Problem: No Fixed National Fee
Marriage registration in Ghana is administered by the District Assemblies, not by a central agency. Each assembly passes its own fee-fixing resolution, which means the cost of a marriage certificate in Accra is not the same as the cost in La Dade-Kotopon, West Akim, or Ningo-Prampram.
The figures below are drawn from official assembly publications and reliable secondary sources. They should be treated as indicative, not definitive. Always confirm the current fee at the assembly where you intend to marry.
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Ordinance Marriage Fees
Ordinance marriage is the civil, monogamous union regulated by the Marriage Ordinance (CAP 127). It involves two main payments: the notice filing fee and the certificate issuance fee.
Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)
The AMA has published the most detailed figures. As of May 2026, the notice filing fee is GH¢102 and the certificate issuance fee is GH¢210 . A separate report from a Ghanaian lawyer in January 2026 cited a total of around GH¢650 for marrying at the AMA .
Older AMA figures show how much these fees have risen. In 2019, the notice fee was GH¢85 and the certificate fee was GH¢180 . By 2021, those figures had risen to GH¢102 and GH¢210 respectively .
La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly
The La Dade-Kotopon assembly publishes two options: the Registrar’s Certificate alone costs GH¢40, while the Registrar’s Certificate plus the Marriage Certificate costs GH¢70 . These figures are from an older publication and are explicitly subject to annual review.
West Akim Municipal Assembly
West Akim lists the full ordinance process as follows: issuance of notice costs GH¢50, and the Registrar’s Certificate costs GH¢160, bringing the total to GH¢260 . The assembly notes that rates are subject to yearly review.
Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District Assembly
This assembly publishes a much lower figure: GH¢30 for registration and issuance of the certificate . This illustrates the wide variation between assemblies.
Ningo-Prampram District Assembly
Ningo-Prampram lists a registration fee of GH¢50.00 .
Customary Marriage Fees
Customary marriage registration is generally cheaper than ordinance marriage, but the same variation applies.
West Akim Municipal Assembly charges GH¢53.00 for a customary marriage certificate .
Suada lists a customary marriage registration fee of GH¢155.00 .
A secondary source estimates customary marriage costs at roughly GH¢60 to GH¢100 depending on the office, as of May 2026 .
Additional Fees You Might Encounter
Beyond the core registration fees, assemblies may charge for related services.
The GEMA (Ghana Enterprises Manufacturing Association? The source is a PDF from gema.gov.gh) lists a Certified True Copy of a marriage certificate at GH¢75, and a marriage certificate search at GH¢75 .
The AMA charges GH¢108 for a Certified True Copy of a marriage certificate, as of May 2026 .
Some assemblies also charge for the use of their hall for the ceremony—GH¢100 in the GEMA example .
What to Budget
Based on the available data, a realistic budget for an ordinance marriage certificate ranges from GH¢70 at a smaller assembly like La Dade-Kotopon, to GH¢210–GH¢260 at assemblies like AMA and West Akim, with total costs potentially reaching GH¢650 at the AMA when all associated fees are included .
For a customary marriage certificate, budget between GH¢50 and GH¢155 depending on the assembly .
The critical step: Contact the Marriage Registry of the specific assembly where you plan to register. Ask for the current fee schedule in writing. Do not rely on figures from this article or any other source, because the rates are reviewed annually and vary by jurisdiction.
Quick Facts
| Assembly | Ordinance Fee (Indicative) | Customary Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Accra Metropolitan Assembly | GH¢102 notice + GH¢210 certificate | Not specified |
| La Dade-Kotopon | GH¢40 (certificate only); GH¢70 (certificate + marriage certificate) | Not specified |
| West Akim | GH¢260 total | GH¢53 |
| Ningo-Prampram | GH¢50 registration | Not specified |
| Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese | GH¢30 | Not specified |
| Suada | Not specified | GH¢155 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a marriage certificate cost in Ghana?
There is no fixed national fee. The cost depends on the District Assembly. Examples range from GH¢30 at Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese to GH¢260 at West Akim for the full ordinance process. The AMA charges GH¢102 for notice and GH¢210 for the certificate .
2. Why do marriage certificate fees vary so much?
Each District Assembly sets its own fees through an annual fee-fixing resolution. There is no central body that standardises marriage registration charges across the country.
3. How much is a marriage certificate at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly?
As of May 2026, the AMA charges GH¢102 for the 21-day notice and GH¢210 for issuance of the marriage certificate . A certified true copy costs GH¢108 .
4. How much does a customary marriage certificate cost?
Customary marriage registration fees range from GH¢53 at West Akim to GH¢155 at Suada . A secondary source estimates GH¢60–100 as of May 2026 .
5. Are there additional fees beyond the registration fee?
Yes. Some assemblies charge for a certified true copy (GH¢75–GH¢108), a certificate search (GH¢75), or the use of the assembly hall (GH¢100) .
6. How do I confirm the current marriage certificate fee?
Contact the Marriage Registry of the specific District Assembly where you plan to register. Ask for the current fee schedule in writing. Do not rely on published figures from previous years, as rates are reviewed annually.
7. Does the fee include the ceremony?
No. The registration fee covers the legal process of filing notice and issuing the certificate. Any ceremony, reception, or celebration is separate and not included in the assembly’s fees.
8. Can I get a refund if the marriage does not take place?
Refund policies vary by assembly. Ask the Marriage Registry about their refund policy when you file the notice. The three-month validity period for the notice means that if the marriage is not celebrated in time, you may need to refile and pay again
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on October 24, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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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.
