U.S. Embassy in Kenya

U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.

Find more information about marriage abroad here.

Marriage in Kenya

Civil Marriages

Ordinary License

21 day legal notice must lapse for the marriage to be solemnized.

The marriage ceremony procedure involves filing a “Notice of Marriage” form available at the Registrar’s office with the Registrar of Marriages and waiting out a twenty-one days legal notice period for any objections to be raised on the intended marriage. The fee for filing this notice is Kshs.600.00 (subject to change).

After the twenty-one days lapse with no objection, the couple completes an affidavit as directed by the Registrar of Marriages who also commissions the affidavit and completes a Marriage Certificate form. Payment for this service is Kshs.2,700.00(subject to change); the fee caters for the marriage solemnization ceremony. At this point a marriage date is booked.

The breakdown of Kshs.2,700.00 (subject to change) is as follows:

• • • Ceremony – Kshs.2,000.00
    • Marriage Certificate – Kshs.500.00
    • Commissioning – Kshs.200.00

Special License

Waiver of 21 day legal notice.

This is at the discretion of the Registrar of Marriages. Special License fee is Kshs.7,000.00 (subject to change). The total fees for a marriage solemnized under a special license will also include the fees for an ordinary license marriage ceremony above.

Marriages conducted by a Registrar of Marriages outside the Registrar’s office

Fee of Kshs.16,700.00 (subject to change) payable at the Registrar of Marriages office and application for a license. Additional costs as provided by the Registrar’s office.

Marriages conducted by a licensed clergy to conduct marriages outside a church

Fee of Kshs.14,200.00 (subject to change) payable at the Registrar of Marriages office and application for a license. Additional costs as provided by the church.

Other services offered by the Registrar of Marriages

• • • Guidance for persons wishing to have their marriages solemnized under other marriage regimes available under the Marriage Act 4 of 2014 namely Islamic, Hindu and Customary marriages.
    • Recognition of foreign marriages as civil marriages in Kenya.
    • Celebration of civil marriages at Kenyan High Commissions and Consulates outside Kenya.
    • Issuance of “Certificates of no Impediment” to marry.
    • Laws of Kenya Portal-Marriage Act 4 of 2014; Kenya Law Reports

Hours of operation:

Monday -Friday: 9am and 3pm

How to contact the Registrar of Marriages, Nairobi, Kenya:

It is recommended that if one intends to get married in any part of Kenya other than Nairobi that they visit the Registrar of Marriages office in Nairobi for proper guidance.

The Registrar of Marriages offices are also available in major towns in Kenya under the office of the Attorney General.

Physical address: Registrar of Marriages, Office of Attorney General and Department of Justice, Sheria House, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi

Telephone number: +254 020 222 7461/62

Website: Office of The Attorney General of Kenya

Postal address: P. O. Box 40112-00100, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi.