Couples planning a wedding on a sandy beach, in a lush garden, or at a luxury hotel can now do so with a special marriage license issued by the government.
The State Law Office has unveiled guidelines under the Marriage Act, 2014, outlining how couples can obtain approval to hold weddings outside traditional marriage venues such as churches and registrar offices.
The move is expected to provide a clear framework for destination weddings, outdoor ceremonies, and cross-border marriages, while ensuring that unions conducted in non-traditional venues remain legally recognized.
New Outdoor Wedding Guidelines
Under the new guidelines, the Registrar of Marriages may waive the normal marriage notice requirement where there is sufficient reason and supporting documentation.
However, the license is issued at the discretion of the Registrar after confirming that the couple meets all legal requirements.
The Registrar must establish that neither party is within a prohibited relationship, below the legal marriage age or already married to another person.
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The special license applies to civil, Christian and Hindu marriages.
It can be used where one or both parties are foreign nationals or where the wedding will take place outside a gazetted marriage venue, including gardens, beaches and hotels.
Applications are made online through the e-Citizen platform before applicants appear before the Registrar for verification.
Requirements for Applicants
Kenyan couples seeking the special license must have resided in the country for at least seven days before making their application.
Applicants are required to submit copies of their national identity cards or passports, birth certificates and recent passport-size photographs.
The names appearing on all documents must match and be in the correct order.
Couples must also demonstrate that no other marriage exists.
Those who have never been married are required to swear affidavits stating their marital status.
Widows and widowers must provide death certificates, while divorced applicants must submit divorce decree absolutes.
If a divorce decree or death certificate is more than 2 years old, applicants must provide an additional affidavit confirming their current marital status.
For Christian marriages, applicants must also submit a copy of the officiating minister’s license and provide the serial number of the marriage register that will be used during the ceremony.
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After submitting the online application, both parties must book an appointment and personally appear before the Registrar of Marriages with original documents for verification and an interview.
Foreign nationals seeking the license must create visitor accounts on e-Citizen.
They are required to upload valid passports, birth certificates, and passport-size photographs.
Additional requirements include proof of travel, valid visas or work permits where applicable, and documents showing they are legally free to marry.
Fees and Processing Timelines
Once verification is complete, applicants must pay the prescribed fees online before booking a wedding date.
For Kenyan applicants, the fee is Ksh 7,200 if the wedding is conducted at a licensed place of worship and Ksh 14,200 if it is held outside such a venue.
Foreign nationals pay Ksh 9,700 if the marriage is conducted at the Registrar’s Office and Ksh 16,700 if the ceremony is held outside the Registrar’s Office.
The guidelines also provide timelines for processing applications.
Civil marriages conducted under a special license must take place within 14 days of approval.
Meanwhile, special licenses for Christian and Hindu marriages are issued within three days after approval.
The State Law Office says the framework is designed to accommodate growing demand for outdoor and destination weddings while ensuring all marriages comply with Kenyan law.
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