Steps to Obtain Court Wedding Certificate In Nigeria from Abroad

Steps to Obtain Court Wedding Certificate In Nigeria from Abroad

Step 1: Online Application To initiate the process of obtaining a court wedding while residing abroad, you must first complete an online application. This can typically be done through the eCITIBIZ portal, which is managed by the Ministry of Interior in Nigeria. The following documents are generally required for both parties:

• Husband:

  • Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age.
  • Passport Photograph.
  • Indigene Letter/Letter of Identification from State of Origin (for Nigerians).
  • Sworn Affidavit of Bachelorhood from a Federal High Court/Bachelorhood Certificate (if unmarried).
  • Affidavit of Marriage (if previously married).
  • Evidence of Divorce (Decree 90 and Decree Absolute if divorced).
  • Death certificate of Previous Wife (if widowed).
  • Evidence of Annulment from a Federal High Court (if applicable).
  • Sworn Affidavit of Single with Child/Children (if applicable).
  • Data Page of International Passport.
  • Arrival Passport Stamp Page.
  • Residence Permit.

• Wife:

  • Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age.
  • Passport Photograph.
  • Indigene Letter/Letter of Identification from State of Origin (for Nigerians).
  • Sworn Affidavit of Spinsterhood from a Federal High Court/Spinsterhood Certificate (if unmarried).
  • Affidavit of Marriage (if previously married).
  • Evidence of Divorce (Decree 90 and Decree Absolute if divorced).
  • Death certificate of Previous Husband (if widowed).
  • Evidence of Annulment from a Federal High Court (if applicable).
  • Sworn Affidavit of Single with Child/Children (if applicable).
  • Data Page of International Passport.
  • Arrival Passport Stamp Page.
  • Residence Permit.

All these documents must be uploaded as part of the online application process.

Step 2: Oath Taking Once your application has been processed and approved, you will need to return to Nigeria on the selected date for your oath-taking ceremony. During this step, you will need to provide one witness each on the wedding day from both parties; it is important to note that there are no gender restrictions on who can serve as a witness. Additionally, you are expected to present two rings or a Bible/Quran depending on your preference.

What to Wear: For the ceremony, appropriate attire includes:

• Wedding Dresses and Suits
• Native Attire
• Corporate Ensemble

It is important to adhere to dress codes; short sleeves, shorts, and jeans are not permitted. Punctuality is crucial to ensure that you do not miss your time slot for the ceremony.

Step 3: Obtain Marriage Certificate After successfully completing the oath-taking ceremony, you will receive a Certified Marriage Certificate issued by the Ministry of Interior. This document serves as legal proof that your marriage has been recognized under Nigerian law.