Planning A Court Wedding In Nigeria: A Step-By-Step Guide

Court weddings in Nigeria are a budget-friendly way to get married. They are a legally recognised process for couples seeking a secure union, especially those from different cultural or religious backgrounds. Court weddings are conducted by a government authority, such as a marriage registrar, and can be followed by a religious ceremony, provided the church is licensed to conduct marriages. To plan a court wedding in Nigeria, the first step is to fill out a Notice of Marriage (Form A) at your local Marriage Registry.

The first step is to fill out the Notice of Marriage (Form A)

The first step to planning a court wedding in Nigeria is to fill out the Notice of Marriage (Form A). This is a legally binding document that must be completed accurately and truthfully. It is essential to ensure that all documentation is accurate and that both parties meet the necessary legal requirements.

To fill out the Notice of Marriage (Form A), you will need to provide the following information:

• Personal details, including full name, date of birth, and address.
• Details of your intended spouse, including their full name, date of birth, and address.
• The date and location of your intended court wedding.
• A statement of your intention to marry, signed by both parties.

Once the Notice of Marriage (Form A) has been completed, it should be submitted to the local Marriage Registry, which can be found in each local council across states in Nigeria. There are two main types of marriage registries in Nigeria: the Ikoyi registry in Lagos state, which covers residents in the South-West, South-South, and South-East, and the Wuse 2 registry in Abuja, which covers all residents in Northern Nigeria.

It is important to note that court weddings in Nigeria offer a structured, legally recognised process for couples seeking a secure union. By following the outlined process and ensuring that all documentation is accurate, you can guarantee equal rights under Nigerian law and peace of mind.

Visit your local Marriage Registry

When planning a court wedding in Nigeria, the first step is to visit your local Marriage Registry. There are two kinds of these registries in Nigeria: the Ikoyi registry in Lagos state, which covers residents in the South-West, South-South and South-East, and the Wuse 2 registry in Abuja, which covers all residents in Northern Nigeria. These registries can be found in each local council across the states.

At the registry, you will need to give notice of your intention to get married. This involves filling out the Notice of Marriage (Form A). You will also need to provide various documents, including:

• Birth certificate or age declaration for both parties
• Passport photographs (the number may vary by registry)
• Evidence of single status, such as a sworn affidavit or certificate of bachelorhood/spinsterhood
• If previously married, a divorce certificate or certificate of death of the former spouse
• If applicable, consent from parents or guardians for parties below the age of 18
• For foreign nationals or residents, additional documents like a passport data page, arrival stamp, or residence permit may be required

Court weddings, also called civil marriages, are a budget-friendly way to get married. They offer a structured, legally recognised process for couples seeking a secure union, especially for those from different cultural or religious backgrounds.

Ensure you have the correct documentation, including a birth certificate or age declaration

Court weddings in Nigeria are a budget-friendly way to get married. They are a legally recognised process for couples seeking a secure union, and they guarantee equal rights under Nigerian law.

To plan a court wedding in Nigeria, you must ensure that you have the correct documentation. This includes a birth certificate or age declaration for both parties. You will also need passport photographs, the number of which may vary by registry.

In addition, you will need to provide evidence of your single status, such as a sworn affidavit or certificate of bachelorhood/spinsterhood. If you have been married before, you will need to provide a divorce certificate or certificate of death of your former spouse.

If either party is under the age of 18, you will need consent from parents or guardians. For foreign nationals or residents, additional documents like a passport data page, arrival stamp, or residence permit may be required.

The first step towards a court marriage is filling out the Notice of Marriage (Form A) and visiting your local Marriage Registry to begin the process.

Court weddings are a budget-friendly way to get married

Marriage registries can be found in each local council across states in Nigeria. There are two main kinds of registries: the Ikoyi registry in Lagos state, which covers residents in the South-West, South-South and South-East, and the Wuse 2 registry in Abuja, which covers all residents in Northern Nigeria.

The next step is to ensure that all documentation is accurate and that both parties meet the necessary legal requirements. This includes providing a birth certificate or age declaration, passport photographs, evidence of single status, and, if applicable, consent from parents or guardians for parties below the age of 18. If either party has been married before, a divorce certificate or certificate of death of the former spouse will also be required.

Court marriages in Nigeria simplify the marriage process, especially for couples from different cultural or religious backgrounds, and guarantee equal rights under Nigerian law.

You can have a religious ceremony after your court marriage, provided the church is licensed

Court marriages in Nigeria are a structured, legally recognised process for couples seeking a secure union. It is a budget-friendly way to get married and simplifies the marriage process, especially for couples from different cultural or religious backgrounds.

If you are considering a court marriage in Nigeria, the first step is to visit your local Marriage Registry to begin the process. There are two kinds of these registries in Nigeria: the Ikoyi registry in Lagos state, which covers residents in the South-West, South-South and South-East, and the Wuse 2 registry in Abuja, which covers all residents in Northern Nigeria.

Once you have visited the registry, you will need to give notice of your intention to get married by filling out the Notice of Marriage (Form A). You will also need to provide the following documentation:

• Birth certificate or age declaration for both parties
• Passport photographs (the number may vary by registry)
• Evidence of single status, such as a sworn affidavit or certificate of bachelorhood/spinsterhood
• If previously married, a divorce certificate or certificate of death of the former spouse
• If applicable, consent from parents or guardians for parties below the age of 18
• For foreign nationals or residents, additional documents like a passport data page, arrival stamp, or residence permit may be required

Frequently asked questions