Registration of Marriages (General)
- It can get married under Registration of Marriages (General) Ordinance, that the parties who are belonging to any other race or religion, the both parties are not Muslims.
- Marriage Notice should be filled in two copies and handed over to the Marriage Registrar of the division by certifying it.(Birth certificate or other document to confirm the name and date of birth)
- Authorized persons to certify the Notices
- Marriage Registrar of the division
- A Justice of Peace
- A Notary Public
- A Minister
- The requirements to be fulfilled for handing over a marriage notice
- Requirement of the residency of the parties in the relevant division
- Parties residing in the division for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
- Parties are not resided in the same division and resided in separate divisions, for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
- If one party out of two parties has not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, the other party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 10 days.
- Requirement of the residency of the parties in the relevant division
- If at least one party out of two parties had not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, one party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 04 days.
- Both parties shall be completed age of 18 years to last birthday.
- They are not prohibited degrees of relationship to marry
- At that time a valid marriage is not existed
- For registration of marriages(general), 14 days shall be elapsed from submitting the marriage notice to the relevant Registrar.
- If it is necessary to register a marriage before 14 days, a request can be made from the registrar for making registration on special license.
- When marriage notices handed over to the marriage registrars of two divisions, marriage can be registered after exchanging notices and issuing of certificates of registrars.
- If it is required to register the marriage in a place outside the marriage registrar’s office, a special permission should be taken and an application of which prescribed fees paid, should be forwarded for that purpose.
** After completing of the above matters, registration of the marriage is done by the registrar before two witnesses and the third copy of the marriage certificate is handed over to the bride.
- Fees to be paid to the Registrar in registration of marriages
No.
Matter
To whom to be paid
By whom the payment is made
Amount (Rs.)
The manner of payment
1
Included a marriage notice in the Registrar’s office or any other place
Registrar
Applicant
120.00
Should be paid in cash
2
Included a marriage notice in the office of Additional District Registrar or District Registrar or any other place
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar
Applicant
120.00
Should be paid in cash to the government
3
Issuing of Registrar’s certificate on a marriage notice
Registrar
Marriage parties
120.00
Should be paid in cash
4
Issuing of Additional District Registrar’s or District Registrar’s certificate on a marriage notice
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar
Marriage parties
120.00
Should be paid in cash to the government
5
Functioning the marriage in Registrar’s office
Registrar
Marriage parties
900.00
Should be paid in cash
6
Functioning the marriage in Additional District Registrar’s office or District Registrar’s office
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar
Marriage parties
900.00
Should be paid in cash to the government
7
Functioning the marriage in a place outside from the Registrar’s office under Sections 38(1) or 38(2)
Registrar
Marriage parties
900.00
Should be paid in cash
8
Functioning the marriage in a place outside from the Additional District Registrar’s or District Registrar’s office under Sections 38(1) or 38(2)
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar
Marriage parties
900.00
Should be paid in cash to the government
9
Obtaining a special license under Section 27(3)
To the government
Marriage parties
120.00
Should be paid in cash
10
Registration of a marriage functioned in a registered religious place
District Registrar
Marriage parties
900.00
Should be paid in cash to the government
11
Issuing of home license for the registration of marriages in a place outside the Registrar’s office under Section 38 1,2
To the government
Marriage parties
60.00
Should be paid in cash
Marriages by a Christian Minister
- Provision has been made to the marriages of Christians in their Churches.
- Marriage notice should be prepared and certified in two copies and submitted to the marriage registrar of the division (birth certificate or other document to proof name and date of birth)
- Authorized persons to certify the notice
- Marriage Registrar of the division
- A Justice of Peace
- A Notary Public
- A Minister
- Requirements to be fulfilled for submitting a marriage notice,
- Parties should complete the requirement of residence in the relevant division. That is,
- Parties shall be resided in the division for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
- Parties are not resided in the same division and resided in separate divisions, for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
- If one party out of two parties has not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, the other party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 10 days.
- If at least one party out of two parties had not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, one party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 04 days.
- Both parties shall be completed age of 18 years to last birthday.
- They are not prohibited degrees of relationship to marry
- At that time a valid marriage is not existed
- If they are divorced persons, a copy of absolute decree shall be submitted.
- If married under Marriage law(general) of Sri Lanka and after that got divorce by a court decision in a foreign country, it is necessary to obtain a decree on divorce by filing a case before a Court with definite jurisdiction in Sri Lanka.
- Parties should complete the requirement of residence in the relevant division. That is,
- Registration fees is Rs.900.00
- “Certificate of the Registrar” (Form B103 Registration) shall be obtained from the Registrar or Additional District Registrar.
- Church marriage can be done by submitting the same certificate of the Registrar to the Minister who is in the church, which is expected to be register the marriage.
- After that, your legal marriage certificate can be obtained by submitting the synod certificate (B112) issued by the minister, to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat which the church is situated.
Process for Registration of Marriage between a Sri Lankan and a Foreigner
Documents under the below mentioned matters shall be forwarded to the Registrar
- Marriage Notice (Prepared and certified in two copies)
- Visa required for entering a foreigner to Sri Lanka, valid passport and its photocopy
- Original copy of the document issued by authorized institution of his/her own country for proofing civil status and legal documents of divorced/ widowed persons for proofing that matter.
- Health declaration for proofing the health condition of the foreigner
- Birth certificate(if it is necessary to proof name and age) and a photocopy
- Permission issued by the Registrar General
Procedure for obtaining Permission issued by the Registrar General
- The following documents should be submitted to the Civil Registration Division of the Department by the relevant parties (only by the persons to be married or their closed relations) before or after the foreigner come to this country.
- Application
- Photocopy of the National Identity Card of the Sri Lankan
- Photocopy of the passport of the foreigner
- Police 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)
- All the documents mentioned above should be submitted in 4 copies
- Certificate on civil status should be forwarded by the government institution of the relevant country and affidavits can be submitted only if the certificate on civil status are not issued by the government institutions of the relevant country .Affidavits should be certified by the government institutions of the relevant country.
- In that case ,if the foreigner married in a foreign country and divorced in a foreign country , the foreign decree on divorce or if married in Sri Lanka and divorced in a foreign country, the foreign divorce decree and decree on divorce in Sri Lanka should be submitted.
- Registration of marriage should be done by the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat or the Marriage Registrar of the relevant division and if the marriage will be done by the Marriage Registrar, the name of the relevant Registrar and relevant Divisional Secretariat should be mentioned in the application.
- The date, place and relevant district should be stated in the application.
- It takes 14 working days for obtaining of clearance report from the date which the documents handed over to the head office.
- The permission issued by the Registrar General is valid from the date issued up to 03 months.
- No any fee charged for issuing this permission.
- The above documents should be submitted to the relevant Additional district Registrar/Divisional Marriage Registrar when handing over the marriage notice.
- The circular No.18/2021 and dated 18/10/2021 regarding the above matter has been implemented from the date 01/01/2022 and the revised circular therein is implemented from 01/08/2022.
Registration of Marriages under Kandyan Law
- Only Sinhala nationalities who are resided at an area under Kandyan law can be married under Kandyan law.
- The areas affected Kandyan marriage law
- Central province
- North central province
- Uva Province
- Sabaragumu Province
- East and West Chuniyachedkulam Korale of Vavunia District of North Peovince and Kilakkumale Korale –South
- Binthenna Pattu, Weegampattu and Panama Pattu in Batticaloa District of Eastern Province and Kadukkulama Pattu in Trincomalee District .
- Kurunegala District of North Western Province and Demala Hath Pattu of Puttalam District.
- Only the Marriage Registrars appointed for the above mentioned areas have authority to register marriages under Kandyan Law.
- Requirements to be fulfilled for the registration a marriage under this law.
- It is required to reside both parties in the relevant area.
- Parties shall be resided in the division for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
- Parties are not resided in the same division and resided in separate divisions, for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice.
- If one party out of two parties has not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, the other party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 10 days.
- If at least one party out of two parties had not been resided in Sri Lanka for past 10 days prior to submit the marriage notice, one party shall be resided in Sri Lanka in 04 days.
- Both parties shall be completed age of 18 years to last birthday.
- They are not prohibited degrees of relationship to marry(According to the Kndyan Marriage Law No.44 of 1952)
- At that time a valid marriage is not existed
- If the above requirements are completed, submit the marriage notice which has been duly filled and certified to the divisional marriage registrar in two copies.
- The Registrar of the same division has the authority to certify the marriage notice (Birth certificate or other document to proof the name and age)
- Marriage can be registered after 14 days elapsed from submitting marriage notice
- If the marriage to be registered before 14 days of submitting the marriage notice, a special license should be obtained by paying relevant fees.
- When marriage notices handed over to the marriage registrars of two divisions, marriage can be registered after exchanging notices and issuing of certificates of registrars.
- If it is required to register the marriage in a place outside the marriage registrar’s office, a special permission should be obtained and an application of which prescribed fees paid, should be forwarded for that purpose.
*After completing of the above matters, registration of the marriage is done by the registrar before two witnesses and the third copy of the marriage certificate is handed over to the bride.
- Fees to be paid to the Registrar in registration of Kandyan marriages
No. |
Matter |
To whom to be paid |
By whom the payment is made |
Amount (Rs.) |
The manner of payment |
1 |
Included a marriage notice in the Registrar’s office or any other place |
Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Should be paid in cash |
2 |
Included a marriage notice in the office of Additional District Registrar or District Registrar or any other place |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Should be paid in cash to the government |
3 |
Issuing of Registrar’s certificate on a marriage notice |
Registrar |
Marriage parties |
120.00 |
Should be paid in cash |
4 |
Issuing of Additional District Registrar’s or District Registrar’s certificate on a marriage notice |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Marriage parties |
120.00 |
Should be paid in cash to the government |
5 |
Solemnizing the marriage in Registrar’s office |
Registrar |
Marriage parties |
900.00 |
Should be paid in cash |
6 |
Solemnizing the marriage in Additional District Registrar’s office or District Registrar’s office |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Marriage parties |
900.00 |
Should be paid in cash to the government |
7 |
Solemnizing the marriage in a place outside from the Registrar’s office |
Registrar |
Marriage parties |
900.00 |
Should be paid in cash |
8 |
Solemnizing the marriage in a place outside from the Additional District Registrar’s or District Registrar’s office |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Marriage parties |
900.00 |
Should be paid in cash to the government |
9 |
The request made for obtaining a special license in relation to a marriage notice under Section 19. |
Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Should be paid in cash |
10 |
The request made for obtaining a special license in relation to a marriage notice under Section 19. |
Additional District Registrar or District Registrar |
Applicant |
120.00 |
Should be paid in cash to the government |
11 |
Issuing of home license for the registration of marriages in a place outside the Registrar’s office under Section 24 |
To the government |
Marriage parties |
60.00 |
Should be paid in cash |
Registration of a Muslim Marriage
- Under Muslim Marriage Divorce Act, a female and a male who are the followers of the Islam in Sri Lanka can be get married.
- Muslim Marriage Registrars have been appointed by the Department for the registration of these marriages .
- Nikah customs are practiced before registration of that marriages
- After Nikah custom,the priest who has done the Nikah custom , the vali of the bride , the bride groom and two other male witnesses should meet the Muslim Registrar and register the marriage.
- However, the marriage could not be registered at that time, the District Registrar of the relevant Divisional Secretariat (Divisional Secretary) has an authority to order the Muslim Registrar for re-registration of the same marriage as a past Muslim marriage.
Foreign Marriage Registration (If the marriage is registered in Sri Lankan Embassies of or Sri Lankan High Commissioner’s Office)
- Ambassador/ High Commissioner or a consular officer has an ability to register a marriage in a foreign country under Consular Activity Act.
- In that case, at least one party shall be a Sri Lankan.
- The relevant marriage can be registered in Sinhala, English or Tamil language.
- A marriage can be registered under general marriage law or Kandyan marriage divorce law or Muslim marriage law. (A Muslim registrar should be available for registration of a marriage under Muslim marriage law)
Correction of errors in certificates
Correction of an error in General Marriage Certificate
- The relevant request shall be forwarded to the District Court with due authority by the parties of aforesaid marriage for the correction of an error occurred at the registration of the marriage.
- Required documents:
- Marriage Certificate
- Documents requested from the Courts
- The request shall be forwarded to the District Court with due authority by the parties through an attorney at law.
- If it is a documentary error, it can be checked whether the accuracy of the duplicate of the marriage certificate by informing the additional district registrar of the divisional secretariat of which the marriage is belonging to.
Correction of an error in Kandyan Marriage Certificate
Obtaining a DivorceCorrection of an error in Muslim Marriage Certificate
Obtaining Divorce for a Kandyan Marriage
Obtaining Divorce CertificateObtaining Divorce for a Muslim Marriage
Obtaining of Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Certificate
Obtaining of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Certificate
Obtaining of certified and translated copy of a marriage certificate
Obtaining of certified copies of a Marriage Certificate
- The copies of the marriage certificate shall be obtained from the Divisional Secretariat belonging to the place of which the marriage occurred
- If the relevant certificate is included in the data system, a certified copy therein can be obtained from any Divisional Secretariat nearby you as well.
- Copies of certificates from 01.01.1960 to 01.01.2020 can be obtained from the system.(You can confirm whether it is in the data system by checking from your nearby Divisional Secretariat.)
- The required application can be obtained from the district registrar’s division of any Divisional Secretariat or the web-site of this Department.
- Fees Charged
- When the number, registered division and the date registered of the marriage certificate is known - fees for one copy : Rs.120.00.
- When the number and the date registered of the marriage certificate is not known (As checking of documents less than two years is required) - fees for one copy : Rs.250.00.
- Copies of certificates can be applied by making relevant payments to the Divisional Secretariat or forwarding the bank slip which is received by the Bank of Ceylon (Battaramulla Branch) of the Registrar General’s of which payments made to the account No.7039827 and completed application to the relevant Divisional Secretariat.
- If you wish to receive the marriage certificate via post , it should be forwarded a self-addressed stamped envelope with the application and the receipt which fees has paid as mentioned above
- If the marriage has been registered, the number of copies of the relevant marriage certificate applied will be issued according to the amount paid and if the marriage has not been registered, it is informed by Form B38 on that matter.
*As such facility to apply copies of certificates by entering https://online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk via online method is available.
Obtaining translated copies of Marriage Certificates
- Information can be obtained from the web site on the regional offices of the Department in which translators are available and can be obtained this service. The offices which the translators are available
- Translations which can be obtained
- Sinhala-English
- English-Sinhala
- Tamil-English
- English –Tamil
- The time on which applications are accepted : From 9.00 am to 2.30 pm on working days. (Not opened in Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.)
- Applications can be obtained from the offices which the translators are available or downloading from the web site.
- Documents to be forwarded
- Duly filled application
- Original copy or a certified copy of the document to be translated obtained from a Divisional Secretariat
- If it is obtained from post, a self-addressed stamped envelope of the receiver should be forwarded in addition to the above requirements.
- Translation Charges
- Rs. 600.00 for one translated copy
- Can be obtained any number of translations
- Translation Charges
- Time taken : 05 working days
- One day service has not available as yet.