Hey there! We will guide you through the list of marriage registries in Nigeria. But before we start, I have a few questions for you. So, you want to get married but you are a bit old-fashioned. You want something without the glitz and glamour; something quiet. However, you don’t know where the nearest marriage registry in Nigeria is?
Or you are all about the glitz and glamour, the full package social event; I am talking about both traditional and white weddings. You’ve done all that, but you just want more legal security/backing to your marriage but you just can’t find any marriage registry near you? Well, good luck to you, your search has ended as this post will not only give you through the list of marriage registries in Nigeria, their addresses, and contacts but also will give key insights through the whole process and what you need to know before you get married. Let’s get started!
What is marriage?
Marriage is the sentencing of two adults to life imprisonment with hard labour (pun intended). I’m just kidding. But am I? Well…
So, marriage is a union or contract between two consenting adults who have decided to live together, make a home, which may include raising children of their own. It is a “union” because two people have decided to come together and become one. It is a “contract” because of its legal ramifications, and as such, it is contracted in the presence of witnesses.
What are the types of marriage in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, marriage is a hot topic and very sacred just as in the rest of the world. However, in Nigeria there are three common types of marriage, namely:
- Traditional/Customary marriage
- Religious marriage
- Court/Statutory/Registry marriage
1. Traditional/Customary marriage
Traditional marriage is also known as customary marriage. It is that type of marriage contracted according to the customs of the people.
Before the advent of the missionaries, different ethnic groups had their own peculiar heritage or culture, including how they contract marriages. This is known as customary or traditional marriage, which still holds sway and is widely practised. In fact, it is first contracted before other types of marriage. Traditional marriage involves:
- Consent of the intending couples as well as their parents/guardians
- Marriage according to the prevailing customs of the bride and groom, which may include:
- Dowry or a token paid to the bride’s family also known as the “bride price”
These are the most important aspects or criteria for a traditional/customary marriage. Other practices such as dressing, food, and time of the occasion may vary from custom to custom. For example, in Awo-mamma Owerri, Imo state, traditional marriage does not take place when the sun is still up but in the evening when the sun is setting.
Traditional/customary marriage allows polygamy. In other words, there’s no limit to the number of wives a man can take in a traditional marriage.
2. Religious marriage
Religious marriage refers to a marriage contracted according to the religion of the couple. This type of marriage is sub-divided into the two major religions in Nigeria, viz: Christianity and Islamic marriages.
A. Islamic marriage (Nikka)
This doubles as both the religion and the customary marriage for most northern Nigerians Muslims. Unlike Yoruba Muslims who still practise the Yoruba marriage culture, Islam generally dictates the marriage rites for Muslims in most of the north.
Islamic marriage allows polygamous marriage, where a husband can marry more than one wife. Besides, the father of the family in the exercise of his ijbar right can go ahead and conclude a marriage agreement on behalf of his female children even without their permission. Lastly, the bride-price is paid to the bride’s family. Thus, the three essential elements in customary marriage are also evident in an Islamic marriage.
B. Church/Catholic marriage
This is the type of marriage that is usually contracted or solemnised in a licensed Christian church by an ordained priest or pastor.
The couple, the bride usually dressed in a white gown (hence, the nickname white wedding), the groom wearing his, which can be of any colour take their vows before the altar of God and in front of witnesses, usually family, friends and well-wishers. Lastly, rings are exchanged to mark the union.
Church/Catholic marriage is monogamous in nature, meaning it is a union of only a man and a woman. A man is not allowed to marry more than one wife.
3. Court/Statutory/ Registry marriage
This is the type of marriage contracted under the auspices of civil law. It is a marriage contracted as prescribed by law and can only be nullified by a competent court of law; hence, it is called court marriage.
Statutory marriage is a legal marriage prescribed by The Marriage Act 1914 and the Matrimonial Causes Act 1970. However, despite the popularity of statutory marriages, Nigerians contract traditional/customary marriage first before contracting church or statutory marriage. Fortunately, the Nigerian law recognises some churches as statutory places of worship. This means couples married in such churches are issued both a church marriage certificate and a statutory marriage certificate.
Court/Statutory/Registry marriage demystified
Many people usually get confused when reference is made to court, statutory or registry marriage. There is so much confusion as to the difference among the three types of marriages. To clear the air, there is NO difference among the three. Whether you call it court marriage, statutory marriage or registry marriage, it means the same thing. These terms are just different ways of calling the same thing.
Let’s explain more.
It is called court marriage because once such marriages are contracted, they can only be annulled when a party seeking divorce or annulment proves beyond a reasonable doubt before a court the need for a divorce or an annulment. Thus, only a competent court of law can dissolve or annul such a marriage once contracted.
It is called registry marriage because they are contracted at the marriage registry. Note that for a valid marriage contracted at a Nigerian marriage registry, the registrar must have given notice before the marriage and must issue a marriage certificate after the marriage.
Finally, it is called statutory marriage because the processes and procedures involved in contracting the said marriages are prescribed by the law or statute. The statute here means laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any law enacted by the National and State Houses of Assembly in relation to marriage contracts in Nigeria.
Federal marriage registry and how to contract a registry marriage
Registry marriage, as earlier discussed, is a marriage contracted according to the letters of the laws viz the Marriage Act 1914 and Matrimonial Causes Act 1970.
The said laws provide or designate places where this type of marriage can be conducted. Thus, a marriage registry refers to a place designated by law where a registry marriage can be conducted. It can also be described as a place designated by law where couples can go for the business of registry marriage or be issued marriage certificates by a registrar.
How to contract court/registry/statutory marriage in Nigeria
- Section 7 of the Marriage Act provides that statutory marriage is initiated by the giving of a notice of marriage by either party to the registrar of marriages as to where the marriage will take place and time.
- Upon paying the prescribed fees, the registrar shall enter such notice on the Marriage Notice Book as well as publish a copy of the notice by pasting it outside his office or on the notice board.
- After publication, a 21-day caveat period is allowed for any person who has just reasons why the couple should not get married to bring such caveat to the notice of the registrar.
- The said caveat can be given by writing the word “Forbidden” opposite the entry of the notice in the Marriage Notice Book. However, such a person must include his or her name, address and the grounds for the objection, in compliance with the provision of section 14 of the Marriage Act.
- Persons who can enter caveat include any person whose consent to the marriage is required or who may know of any just cause why the marriage should not take place. Where such a caveat is validly entered, the registrar shall not issue a marriage certificate until the caveat is vacated by a competent court.
- If a caveat is issued, a judge of the high court with requisite jurisdiction shall adjudicate between the caveator and the couple and shall after adjudication either vacate the caveat or make an order instructing the registrar not to proceed with issuing of the marriage certificate.
- Where no caveat is issued, the intending couple will be issued a marriage certificate provided that the wedding takes place within three months of notice of marriage to the registrar
Venue for conducting registry marriages in Nigeria
While we stated that the marriage registry refers to a designated place by law where court/registry marriage is contracted; however, there are exceptions under the said law.
1. Licensed place of worship
This refers to churches licensed by the ministry of interior to conduct statutory marriages. Such marriages must be before an ordained priest of the church or before a recognised minister of the worship place who by their law is capable of conducting marriages. For example, a seminarian in the Catholic Church is not recognised and as such cannot conduct a wedding.
Under Section 18 of the Marriage Act 1914, a marriage can be celebrated in a licensed place of worship before any recognised minister of the church provided that the marriage is celebrated with open doors between the hours of eight (8) o’clock in the forenoon and six (6) o’clock in the afternoon in the presence of two or more witnesses besides the officiating minister.
2. Marriage registry before the Registrar of Marriage
As earlier discussed, this refers to a marriage contracted at the marriage registry before a marriage registrar. Under section 27 of the Marriage Act, a marriage can be celebrated in the marriage registry before the registrar after the parties to the intended marriage have given notice and obtained the registrar’s certificate. Again, marriage is contracted with open doors, in the presence of two witnesses between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
3. Any place licensed by the Minister of Interior
A marriage can be contracted at any place provided such a place has been licensed by the minister. The marriage must be before a recognised religious minister of some religious denomination or body or before the marriage registrar
Finally, under section 12 of the Marriage Act, the marriage must be celebrated within three (3) months of the date of the notice of the marriage. If the marriage is not held within this period, the notice and other subsequent processes shall become void, and a fresh notice must be given before the parties can lawfully get married.
Documents required for a statutory or registry marriage
If you are looking to contract a registry marriage here are what you’ll need:
- Two passport photographs
- A copy of your birth certificates
- A wedding ring, of course. What’s a wedding without a wedding ring?
- Each party will bring one witness for the signing of the marriage register
However, if the couple is already married, viz traditional/religious wedding but wants to seek more security via the court marriage, here’s what they will need:
- Church marriage certificate if the marriage was contracted in a church
- Court Affidavit if the marriage was contracted according to traditional law and custom
So what if one of you is divorced?
If one of them is divorced, then the couple will have to present the order for dissolution of marriage from a competent court.
Lastly, if one of them is a widow or widower, then they will have to bring a copy of the death certificate of the deceased partner.
What happens after a registry marriage?
Upon the celebration of marriage, the parties must submit three photographs of their marriage photographs to the marriage registry.
So, that’s it done and dusted. You’re married! Go get your honeymoon boots, you lovebirds!
Advantages of court marriage
- Court marriage is recognised by all authority as it is authorised by law.
- Court marriage is open for people of all religions, caste and creed. That means there’s no instance of ‘Osu’ or outcast as perceived in some traditional marriages. This is covered under Section 42 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which leaves no room for discrimination.
- It is easy and cheap to contract and hassle-free.
- A court marriage certificate is recognised in Nigeria and beyond. This comes in handy when applying for a visa as a traditional marriage is not recognised by many European countries.
- Couples who contracted registry marriage may choose not to testify against one another in a criminal case. However, couples who contracted under traditional marriage can be compelled by law to testify against one another.
- A certificate of marriage registration enables a spouse to claim life insurance returns or bank deposits in case of demise of the Insurer or depositor without any nominee.
List of federal marriage registries in Nigeria
There are twelve (12) marriage registries in Nigeria, set up by the ministry of interior to conduct the business of marriage in the country. They all perform the following functions:
- The registration of ordinary and Special marriages
- The issuance and re-issuance of secured federal marriage certificates
- The booking of marriage date, change of venue
- The application for a certified true copy of a document
- Place of worship licensing, etc.
According to the PUNCH, the 12 marriage registries are located in 10 states and Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
The towns and locations of federal marriage registries in Nigeria are Ikoyi and Ikeja (Lagos State), Benin (Edo State), Owerri (Imo State), Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Kano (Kano State), Jos (Plateau State), Enugu (Enugu State), Kaduna (Kaduna State), Ibadan (Oyo State) and Makurdi (Benue State).
However, the ministry of interior published only seven of the addresses for the federal marriage registries on its website. Let us now go through them.
1. Federal Marriage Registry Ikoyi, Lagos state
- Address: Kingsway Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
- Marriage Registrar: Mr Adeyemi Samson
- Contact: +234-8148355549.
2. Federal Marriage Registry Garki, Abuja
This is the federal marriage registry approved by the ministry of interior. It is located in Garki, Abuja.
- Address: 28, Borno Street Area 10, Garki Abuja, FCT.
- Marriage Registrar: Mr Momoh,
- Contact: +234-8055321576
3. Federal Marriage Registry Benin City, Edo State
This is the Federal Marriage Registry authorized by the ministry of interior in Benin City, Edo State.
- Address: 11A Gapiona Avenue, Off Benoni Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State.
- Marriage Registrar: Mr Ozuruonye Chukwu,
- Contact: +234-8091671316, +234-7063611363
4. Federal Marriage Registry -Portharcourt, Rivers State
This is the Federal Marriage Registry authorised by the ministry of interior in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
- Address: No. 40 Railway Close, D/Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
- Marriage Registrar: Mr Marcolo Tijjani
- Contact: +234-8036026464
5. Federal Marriage Registry Owerri, Imo State
This is the Federal Marriage Registry authorized by the Ministry of Interior in Owerri, Imo.
- Address: No. 12, Bishop S.I Nwaogu Crescent Owerri- Imo State.
- Marriage Registrar: Mr Paulinus Okolocha,
- Contact: +234-8033795450
6. Federal Marriage Registry Kano, Kano State
This is the Federal Marriage Registry authorized by the Ministry of Interior in Kano, Kano State.
- Address: 31 TY, Danjuma Street, Hotoro GRA, Off Shehu Kazaure Road, Kano.
- Marriage Registrar: Mr Charles Ola
- Contact: +234-8054763106
7. Federal Marriage Registry Jos, Plateau State
This is the Federal Marriage Registry authorized by the Ministry of Interior in Jos, Plateau State.
- Address: 74 David Jonah Jang Way, Rayfield, Jos.
- Marriage Registrar: Mrs Barbara Dawam,
- Contact: +234-8036142263
Conclusion
So that’s it for the list of marriage registries in Nigeria. Don’t forget, marriage is not a thing you rush into. More so, the type of marriage you contract is as important as the decision to get married. Take your time; check what suits you and your partner. If you would prefer something quiet and compact with a few friends and family, then maybe you should consider registry marriage. It can easily be contracted by going through the list of federal marriage registries above and choosing the one nearest to you.
Omooorrr