RE-CERTIFICATION OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

The Registrar General of Marriages in Nigeria disclosed that, arrangements are on-going to give couples whose certificate were not issued in line with the Act the opportunity to bring them to conformity.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday 24th July 2019 at a stakeholders’ conference on the conduct of statutory marriages in accordance with the Marriage Act Cap M6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended.

According to Mrs. Ehuriah, not all places of worship are permitted to conduct marriages. She advised Nigerians to ensure that their marriages are conducted in places licensed by the Ministry of Interior.

“This is for the marriage to be credible and registered in the National database of legally certified marriages,” she said.

“If the certificate is not printed and delivered by the principal registrar of marriages, then it is illegal and cannot serve the desired purpose,” she said.

Speaking on the benefits of the certificate, Mrs. Ehuriah said it will be recognized by all foreign embassies during visa application.

She advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accept the certificate for the guidance of foreign embassies in Nigeria and Nigerian missions aboard.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Citizenship & Business Department of the Ministry, Stephen Okon, said the conference was necessitated by the challenges faced by citizens because of their marriages which have led to series of litigations.

Also, Mr. Stephen Okon, Director, Citizenship and Business, Ministry of Interior said that the conference was to educate the public and create awareness on the key requirements of the Marriage Act.