Marriage officers are people who have been designated to officiate marriages, under one of two laws.
What is the quickest way to get married in South Africa?
The quickest way to get married in South Africa is to find a Marriage Officer, make an appointment and let them take care of the rest. A Marriage Officer can come to your home or venue or you may go to the Marriage Officer. The cheapest way to get married is at Home Affairs. They will do it for free.
What’s considered a small wedding?
These numbers may vary a little depending on who you’re speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees.
Who is a marriage officer in South Africa?
A marriage may be performed only by a marriage officer. All magistrates and justices of the peace are automatically marriage officers. The Minister of Home Affairs (or an official authorized to act on behalf of the Minister) can appoint other civil service employees as marriage officers.
Marriage Officer Requirements
An officiant (or celebrant) performs secular humanist ceremonies for weddings, funerals, child naming, coming of age, and other rituals. Of these, a wedding is the only service for which the officiant must be registered; without registration, a marriage is not deemed legal.
SASS are registered by the Department of Home Affairs to designate members as Marriage Officers under the Civil Union Act, thus providing a secular avenue for non-religious South Africans to marry.
To become a SASS Marriage Officer, you must be a paying member of SASS, and have paid for at least three months.
The MO process will include an interview, supplying three character references, and passing a 2-hour DHA examination (minimum pass mark of 75%). SASS supplies the study material.
The application process to become an officiant for the South African Secular Society (SASS) is detailed below.
Before applying, ensure you have the following information:
Your personal details: name, ID number, email, phone numbers, home address.
A scan of your barcoded Identity Document or ID card.
An electronic photo of yourself (JPG format or similar).
Your reasons for wanting to be a SASS Marriage Officer.
Details of your experience in public speaking or how you are developing it (e.g., Toastmasters).
The DHA office at which you want to write your exam (use the Office Locator (orange button) on dha.gov.za, contact them and ensure they offer the Marriage Officer exam).
A prepared sample marriage ceremony of 400-1000 words /2-5 minutes to present. (For word count and clarity, try com)
A plan to keep the marriage registers safe. A photo of your safe, lockable filing cabinet, desk, or secure cupboard (JPG or similar format) with the key in the lock will suffice.
How to request being designated a marriage officer through T.I.M in South Africa
First and foremost, you need to be a member of T.I.M
Meet all the requirements, as stated above
Send an email to us requesting your designation as a marriage officer, only once you are a member can you request to be designated.
Being a designated marriage officer under Team Impact Ministries means that you will have the authority to legally marry two people to one another, and the state will recognize your solemnization of the marriage as it will be registered by you as a marriage officer with the Department of Home Affairs.
Who can officiate a wedding in South Africa?
Officially, in South Africa, one has to be married by a legal authority. Known as a marriage officer or civil union officer (they also call themselves wedding officiators), they can be ministers, judges or anyone who has been legally bestowed with the duty.
Who is a marriage officer in South Africa?
A marriage may be performed only by a marriage officer. All magistrates and justices of the peace are automatically marriage officers. The Minister of Home Affairs (or an official authorized to act on behalf of the Minister) can appoint other civil service employees as marriage officers.
Can a Commissioner of Oaths marry someone in South Africa?
All marriage officers, special justices of the peace and commissioners are ex officio marriage officers for the district or region in respect of which they hold office. The marriage officer may only perform the marriage if he/she is satisfied that there is no lawful impediment to it.
What is the quickest way to get married in South Africa?
The quickest way to get married in South Africa is to find a Marriage Officer, make an appointment and let them take care of the rest. A Marriage Officer can come to your home or venue or you may go to the Marriage Officer. The cheapest way to get married is at Home Affairs. They will do it for free.
How much does it cost to get married in South Africa?
According to professional wedding planners, Great Occasions, the average cost of wedding in South Africa is between R70,000 – R80,000 for 80 to 100 people. However, the group notes that these going prices per head (R700 to R800) could easily escalate to R1,500 or R2,000 per person (R200,000 for a wedding).
What happens when a South African marries a foreigner?
As a foreigner married to a South African, it negates the need for work permits or business permits to be applied for. Spousal Permit For those who obtain a spousal permit, they now hold permanent residency. Permanent residency means the individual is free to work, study or run/own a business.
Can a woman marry two husbands in South Africa?
Polygamy – a man having more than one wife – is already permitted in South Africa. But Kenneth Meshoe, who is the leader of the opposition African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), claimed it would “destroy society” if the same marriage rights were extended to women.
What documents are needed to get married in South Africa?
The Marriage Register with the following documents must be handed to the receiving officer (Certified copies of the Bride, Groom and both Witnesses ID documents, proof of residence, letter of No Impediment or equivalent, Proof of residence/entry, death certificate, divorce certificate) 5
How long does it take home affairs to register a marriage?
Registering customary marriages
Customary marriages must be registered within three months of taking place. This can be done at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or through a designated traditional leader in areas where there are no Home Affairs offices.
How many husbands can a South African woman have?
This would allow a woman to marry more than one man at the same time. Only polygyny is recognized in SA, which means men can have more than one wife.