Registration of Marriages (General)
Parties of any nationality or religion, provided both parties are not Muslims, can marry under the Marriage Registration Ordinance (General)
The Notice of Marriage must be written in duplicate, certified, and handed over to the Marriage Registrar of the division (a copy of the birth certificate and National Identity Card to verify the name and date of birth)
Persons authorized to certify notices
- Marriage Registrar of the division
- A Justice of the Peace
- A Notary Public
- A Minister (of religion)
Requirements to be fulfilled to handover a Notice of Marriage
- Fulfilling the requirement regarding the residence of the parties in the relevant division.
- Parties having resided in the division during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage.
- Paries having resided in different division, not the same division, during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage.
- If one the Parties had not resided in Sri Lanka during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage, the other party having resided in Sri Lanka for 10 days.
- In neither party had resided in Sri Lanka during 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage, one party having resided in Sri Lanka for 4 days.
- Both parties having completed eighteen years of age at their last birthday.
- They are not within the prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage.
- No valid prior marriage exists at the time
14 days must elapse after handing over the Notice of Marriage to the relevant Registrar for the registration of a General Marriage.
If it is required to register a marriage before the lapse of 14 days, a request can be made to the Registrar for registration under a special license.
When Notices of Marriage have been handed over to Marriage Registrars of two divisions, the marriage can be registered after the exchange of notices and the issuance of the Registrar's certificate.
If it is required to register the marriage at a place outside the Marriage Registrar's office, special permission must be obtained for that, and an application paying the prescribed fee must be submitted.
** After fulfilling the above requirements, the Registrar will register the marriage in the presence of two witnesses, and the third copy of the marriage certificate will be handedover to the bride.
Fees payable to the Additional District Registrar/ Regitrar for Marriage Registration
|
No. |
Matter |
To whom payable |
By whom payable |
Amount (Rs.) |
Mode of payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Entering a Notice of Marriage at the Registrar's office or any other place |
Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
2 |
Entering a Notice of Marriage at the office of the Additional District Registrar or District Registrar or any other place |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the government |
|
3 |
Issuance of the Registrar's certificate regarding a Notice of Marriage |
Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
4 |
Issuance of the Additional District Registrar's or District Registrar's certificate regarding a Notice of Marriage |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the government |
|
5 |
Solemnization of marriage at the Registrar's office |
Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
6 |
Solemnization of marriage at the office of the Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the government |
|
7 |
Solemnization of marriage outside the Registrar's office under Sections 38(1) or 38(2) |
Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
8 |
Solemnization of marriage outside the office of the Additional District Registrar or District Registrar under Sections 38(1) or 38(2) |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the government |
|
9 |
Obtaining a special license under Section 27(3) |
To the government |
Parties to the Marriage |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
10 |
Registration of a marriage solemnized at a registered place of worship |
District Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the government |
|
11 |
Issuance of a home license for the registration of a marriage outside the Registrar's office under Sections 38(1) and (2) |
To the government |
Parties to the Marriage |
60.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
Solemnization of Marriages by a Minister
Provision has been made for the marriages of Christian devotees to be solemnized within their own places of worship.
The Notice of Marriage must be written in duplicate, certified, and handed over to the Marriage Registrar of the division. (A copy of the birth certificate and National Identity Card to verify the name and date of birth).
Persons authorized to certify notices,
- Marriage Registrar of the division
- A Justice of the Peace
- A Notary Public
- A Minister (of religion)
Requirements to be fulfilled to handover a Notice of Marriage,
- Fulfilling the requirements regarding the residence of the parties in the relevant division, namely :
- Parties having resided in the division during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage.
- Parties having resided in different divisions, not the same division, during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage.
- If one the parties had not resided in Sri Lanka during 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage, the other party having resided in Sri Lanka for 10 days.
- In neither party had resided in Sri Lanka during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage, one party having resided in Sri Lanka for 4 days.
- Both parties having completed 18 years of age at their last birthday.
- They are not within the prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage.
- No valid prior marriage exists at the time.
- If divorced, a copy of the decree absolute must be submitted..
- If married under the Sri Lankan Marriage (General) Law and subsequently divorced by a court decree in a foreign country, it is mandatory to have fill a case before a court of competent jurisdiction in Sri Lanka and obtained a decree absolute regarding the divorce.
The registration fee is Rs.900.00
The "Register's Certificate" (Registration Form B103) must be obtained from the Registrar of the Additional District Registrar.
A church marriage can be solemnized by presenting the said Registrar's certificate to the Minister of the church where the marriage is to be registered.
There after, you can obtain your legal marriage certificate by submitting the Minister's certificate (B112) issued by the Minister to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat where the church is located.
Procedure for the Registration of Marriages between a Sri Lankan and a Foreign National
Documents under the following facts pertaining to both the male and female parties must be submitted to the Registrar:
- Notice of Marriage (Written in two copies and certified)
- The visa required for the foreign national to enter Sri Lanka, valid passport, and the photocopy thereof
- The original copy of the certificate confirming civil status issued by and authorized institution their country, and in the case of divorces /widowers /widows, legal documents proving such status
- A self-declaration (Health Declaration) to confirm the health condition of the foreign national
- Birth certificates (If necessary to verify name and age) and a photocopy
- The license issued by the Registrar General
Procedure for obtaining the license issued by the Registrar General
Before or after the foreign national arrives in this country, the following documents must be submitted to the Civil Registration Division of the Department by the relevant parties (only by the two persons getting married or their close relatives):
- Application Form
- Photocopy of the Sri Lankan's National Identity Card
- Photocopy of the forengn national's passport
- Police clearance certificate indicating the foreign national (obtained within 6 months), if previsously married, the divorce report of the foreigner ( obtained within 6 months) so as to proof not an offender of an offence
- Certificate of the civil status of the foreigner (obtained within 6 months) if a person married before, divorce certificate and certificate on civil status)
4 copies of each of the above documents must be submitted.
The certificate regarding civil status must be submitted from a state institution of the relevant country, and affidavits can only be submitted if the state institutions of the relevant country do not issue civil status certificates. The affidavit must be certified by a state institution of the relevant country.
Herein, if the foreign person was married abroad and divorced abroad, the foreign divorce decree must be submitted; or if married in Sri Lanka and divorced abroad, both the foreign divorce decree and the Sri Lankan divorce decree must be submitted.
The registration of the marriage must be done through the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat or the Marriage Registrar of the relevant division, and if the marriage is solemnized through a Marriage Registrar, the name of the relevant Registrar and the relevant Divisional Secretariat must be noted on the application form.
The date, place of marriage, and the relevant district must be noted on the application form.
It takes 14 working days from the date the documents are handed over to the Head Office to obtain the clearance report.
The license issued by the Registrar General is valid for up to 03 months from the date of issue.
No fee is charged for issuing this license.
The above documents should be submitted to the relevant Additional district Registrar/Divisional Marriage Registrar when handing over the marriage notice.
Circular No. 18/2021 and 2021/10/18 dated circular in this regard is effective from 2022/01/01, and its amended circular 18/2021(1) is effective from 2022/08/01.
Registration of Marriages under Kandyan Law
Only Sinhalese residing in and area subject to Kandyan Law can marry under the nationalities who are resided at an area under Kandyan law can be married under Kandyan law.
Areas where Kandyan Marriage Law applies
- Central province
- North central province
- Uva Province
- Sabaragumu Province
- East and West Chinnacheddikiulam and South Kilakkumulai Korale of the Vavunia District in the North Peovince
- Binthenna Pattu, Weegampattu and Panama Pattu of the Batticaloa District and Kadukkulama Pattu of the Trincomalee District in the Eastern Province
- Kurunegala District and Demala Hat Pattu in the Puttalam District of the North Western Province
Only Marriage Registrars appointed for the above areas have the authority to register marriages under the Kandyan Law.
Requirements to be fulfilled for Registering a Marriage under this law.
- Requirement regarding the residence of both parties within the relevant divisions.
- Parties having resided in the division during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage.
- Parties having resided in different divisions, not the same division, during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage.
- If one of the parties had not decided in Sri Lanka during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage, the other party having resided in Sri Lanka for 10 days.
- If neither party had resided in Sri Lanka during the 10 days immediately preceding the handing over of the Notice of Marriage, one party having resided in Sri Lanka for 4 days.
- Both parties having completed 18 years of age their last birthday.
- Both parties are not within the prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage (according to the Kandyan Marriage and the Divorce Act, No. 44of 1952)
- No valid prior marriage exists at the time
If the above requirements are fulfilled, hand over the duly completed and certified Notice of Marriage in duplicate to the Divisional Marriage Registrar.
Only the Marriage Registrar of that division is authorized to certify the Notice of Marriage. (A copy of the birth certificate and National Identity Card to verify the name and age).
The marriage can be registered after 14 days have elapsed from the handing over of the Notice of Marriage.
- To register the marriage before 14 days from handing over the Notice of Marriage, a special license must be obtained by paying the relevant fees.
When Notices of Marriage have been handed over to Marriage Registrars of two divisions, the marriage can be registered after the exchange of notices and the issuance of the Registrar's certificate.
If it is required to register the marriage at a place outside the Marriage Registrar's office, special permission must be obtained for that, and an application paying the prescribed fee must be submitted.
**After fulfilling the above requirements, the Registrar will register the marriage in the presence of two witnesses, and the third copy of the marriage certificate will be handedover to the bride.
Fees that can be charged by Additional District Registrar/ Registrars for Kandyan Marriage Registration
|
No. |
Matter |
To whom payable |
By whom payable |
Amount (Rs.) |
Mode of payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Entering a Notice of Marriage at the Registrar's office or any other place |
Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
2 |
Entering a Notice of Marriage at the office of the Additional District Registrar or District Registrar or any other place |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the Government |
|
3 |
Issuance of the Registrar's certificate regarding a Notice of Marriage |
Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
4 |
Issuance of the Additional District Registrar's or District Registrar's certificate regarding a Notice of Marriage |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the Government |
|
5 |
Solemnization of marriage at the Registrar's office |
Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
6 |
Solemnization of marriage at the office of the Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the Government |
|
7 |
Solemnization of marriage outside the Registrar's office |
Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
8 |
Solemnization of marriage outside the office of the Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Parties to the Marriage |
900.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the Government |
|
9 |
Requests made to obtain a special license in respect of a Notice of Marriage under Section 19. |
Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
|
10 |
Requests made to obtain a special license in respect of a Notice of Marriage under Section 19. |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Must be paid in cash to the Government |
|
11 |
Issuance of a home license for the registration of a marriage outside the Registrar's office under Section 24 |
To the Government |
Parties to the Marriage |
60.00 |
Must be paid in cash |
Registration of a Muslim Marriage
A male and a female professing Islam in Sri Lanka can marry under the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act.
Muslim Marriage Registrars have been appointed by the Department for the registration of these marriages.
Prior to the registration of the marriage, Nikah ceremonies are performed.
Following the Nikah ceremony, the priest who officiated the Nikah ceremony, the bride's Wali, the groom, and two other male witnesses must meet the Muslim Marriage Registrar and have the marriage registered.
However, if the marriage could not be registered at that instance, the District Registrar (Divisional Secretary) of the relevant Divisional Secretariat has the authority to order the respective Muslim Registrar to re-register the marriage as a delayed Muslim marriage.
Registration of Foreign Marriage (If the marriage is registered within Sri Lankan Embassies of Sri Lankan High Commissions)
Under the Consular Functions Act, the Ambassador/High Commissioner or Consular Officer has the ability to register a marriage in a foreign country.
Herein, at least one party must be a Sri Lankan.
The relevant marriage can be registered in Sinhala, English, or Tamil.
A marriage can be registered under the General Marriage Law, the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Law, or the Muslim Law. (A Muslim Registrar must be present to register a marriage under Muslim Law.)
