Nigeria Introduces New Federal Marriage Certificate – TheNigerialawyer

The Nigerian government has introduced a new Federal Marriage
Certificate for all types of marriages in the country.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgina
Ehuriah, disclosed this on Wednesday at a stakeholders conference
on the conduct of statutory marriage in Abuja.

She said existing couples who do not have their certificate
issued by the Ministry of Interior are advised to visit the
ministry’s website to re-certify their marriage certificates.

According to Mrs Ehuriah, not all places of worship are
permitted to conduct marriages. She advised Nigerians to ensure
that their marriages are conducted in places licensed by the
Ministry of Interior.

“This is for the marriage to be credible and registered in the
National database of legally certified marriages,” she said.

“If the certificate is not printed and delivered by the
principal registrar of marriages, then it is illegal and can not
serve the desired purpose”, she said.

“Arrangements are ongoing for couples whose certificates were
not issued in line with the Marriage Act of opportunity to bring
them to conformity.”

Speaking on the benefits of the certificate, Mrs Ehuriah said it
will be recognised by all foreign embassies during visa
application.

She advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accept the
certificate for the guidance of foreign embassies in Nigeria and
Nigerian missions aboard.

Ms Ehuriah said conducting marriages by places of worship not
duly licensed by the ministry will be considered a breach of the
Marriage Act.

“Presently, only about 4,689 licensed places of worship in
Nigeria have updated their records with the Ministry of Interior;
314 have renewed their licenses to conduct statutory marriages,”
she said.

She said the ministry is building a database for all statutory
marriages conducted in Nigeria.

“It has also developed a database for all places of worship
licensed for celebration of marriages ”

This will enable the ministry to be in a good position to
respond to enquiries from various interested parties from within
and outside Nigeria, Mrs Ehuriah said.

She said documentation process for the licensing of places of
worship has been automated to facilitate submission of application
for licenses by interested places of worship.

“Administrators of places of worship are encouraged to meet the
requirements to satisfy their members.”

She said government at all levels has the responsibility of
ensuring the sanctity of marriage by supporting any initiative
aimed at promoting compliance with the Act.

The director, citizenship and business at the ministry, Stephen
Okon, said it is important to educate the public on the key
requirements of the Marriage Act.

“Sometimes citizens are denied their rights because of the
manner their certificates of marriage was documented”, he said

He said Nigerians do not conduct statutory marriage even after
traditional and church marriage “despite the growing popularity of
Registry marriage”.

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