Requirements for Getting Married In Namibia
What is Marriage?
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock is a culturally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws.
These are the requirement for getting married in Namibia
- Legal age for marriage without parental consent is 21 years for both men and women.
- Bride and Groom may not be related by blood, marriage or adoption.
- Two witnesses are required.
- There are no residency requirements to get married in Namibia.
- Couple must get a marriage license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get married in Namibia?
If a Namibian wishes to marry a foreigner, a certificate of fitness is required from the foreigner’s country of birth. This basically states that he or she is fit to marry, and isn’t currently married. There are two types of marriages: In community of property and out of community of property.
What do you need to get married in court in Namibia?
Both the man and woman must be at least age 18 to give independent consent to marry. If either of them is under age 18, then they must have written permission from the Minister or a court in order to marry, as well as parental consent. A person who is under age 21 needs parental consent to marry.
What is a civil marriage in Namibia?
Civil marriage is when a man and a woman are married by a marriage officer. All magistrates are marriage officers. Most pastors, priests and other church leaders are also marriage officers. Any person with a marriage certificate has a civil marriage. The law on civil marriages is the same in every part of Namibia.
What is the purpose of marriage in Namibia?
Marriage is the beginning—the beginning of the family—and is a life-long commitment. It also provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness as you serve your wife and children. Marriage is more than a physical union; it is also a spiritual and emotional union. This union mirrors the one between God and His Church.
What does the Namibian Constitution say about marriage?
The Namibian Constitution says that “Men and women shall be entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution” (Article 14). The MPEA explains how this should happen.
Who pays for divorce in Namibia?
The general rule on who pays the legal fees in a divorce is that each person getting divorced will pay their legal costs and the person applying for the divorce (the petitioner) will be responsible for covering the court fee (which is currently £550) and other fees.
Is adultery a crime in Namibia?
Adultery is not a crime in Namibia. However, adultery is a ground for divorce in a civil marriage. Divorce is an official dissolution of the marriage. However, adultery as a ground for divorce is seldom relied upon in Namibia, because of the need to provide evidence of the adultery.
How do I get divorced in Namibia?
The quick way to divorce in Namibia is to write a petition to the court after that the court will inspect what you have written and decree for a recording of statements on oath and pass between the first and the second motion of a period of six months elapses.
What is the difference between customary marriage and civil marriage in Namibia?
There exist certain requirements that must be complied with in order to conclude a valid customary marriage; while a civil marriage is seen as a marriage concluded between 2 parties, and must be monogamous in order to be valid, customary marriages differ as polygamy is permissible.
What is the difference between a civil marriage and a religious marriage in Namibia?
“The main difference between marrying in a religious or civil ceremony is that a religious ceremony is about being wed in the eyes of God (or whichever deity you believe in), while a civil ceremony is about being wed in the eyes of the law.
How long does it take home affairs to register a marriage in Namibia?
Customary marriages must be registered within three months of taking place. This can be done at any office of the Department of Home Affairs or through a designated traditional leader in areas where there are no Home Affairs offices.
Do you need civil wedding before church wedding in Namibia?
Couples who are civilly married don’t need to get married again in the church. Whether or not they want to have a more lavish church wedding is completely up to them. After all, one record of marriage is enough.
Why civil wedding is most popular than church wedding in Namibia?
Church weddings are really for religious people and those that want a traditional ceremony – which still happens to be a very large percentage of married couples. Civil ceremonies offer you something that’s potentially quicker, more to your personal tastes, and free from religion.
Is it necessary to get married in the church in Namibia?
Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God, one that should not be taken for granted. Getting married in a church, in front of God, is very important. A marriage is a public declaration of love and commitment. This declaration is made in front of friends and family in a church ceremony.
Can Christians marry non Christians in Namibia?
Christians should not marry someone who is not a believer because it is not the way the Lord designed marriage. Marrying a non-Christian will cause you to be unequally yoked, which we are called not to do in 2 Corinthians 6:14.
Can Christians kiss before marriage in Namibia?
If you planning on kissing more for the enjoyment and pleasure than it being a pure act with love, then it can probably be considered a sin. And of course, that goes beyond a simple peck too. If it’s a long kiss, French kissing and especially if it goes further, if it starts with lust, all of it is sinful.