Get married or register a customary marriage

What you'll usually need

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• National IDs for both of you
• For a civil marriage: two witnesses aged 18 or over, with their IDs
• For a customary marriage: a witness from each family

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Steps

1. You must both be at least 18 and marry of your own free will.
2. Choose a marriage officer. Magistrates and designated ministers of religion can marry you. Chiefs can conduct customary marriages in their district.
3. For a civil marriage, give notice first. A minister of religion can publish banns, or a magistrate can post a notice of intention to marry. A magistrate can also give you a marriage licence instead. For a customary marriage, ask the chief or marriage officer what they need before the ceremony.
4. Marry in front of the officer and your witnesses. The officer sends the record to the Registrar of Marriages.
5. If you married under custom without a marriage officer, register the marriage with the Registrar within three months. You will get a registration certificate.

Good to know

• If you don't register a customary marriage, it doesn't affect your children's status, custody or inheritance. But registering gives you proof of the marriage.
• Marrying abroad? The head of a Zimbabwe embassy or consulate can also act as your marriage officer. At least one of you must be a Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident.
• In 2024 there were reports that some certificates issued after the new Act referred to the old, repealed laws. Check your certificate, and ask for a correction if it is wrong.
• The law is the Marriages Act [Chapter 5:17], in force since 16 September 2022.