Created: Jul 29, 2025 | Updated: Jul 30, 2025
Planning to marry in Nigeria as a German citizen involves understanding a complex array of legal requirements and documentation processes. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the steps involved and the importance of adhering to Nigerian marital laws. Translayte offers invaluable assistance through certified document translation services, ensuring smooth and legal marriage applications.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the types of marriage in Nigeria, encompassing cultural, religious, and legal dimensions:
Based on ethnic customs, including the payment of bride price and the performance of traditional rites between families.
Recognition requires:
Not automatically registered with the government, so may lack formal legal protections in inheritance or divorce scenarios.
Conducted under Sharia law, common in Northern Nigeria.
Key features:
Not automatically registered but recognised under customary law; registration via the registry strengthens legal enforceability.
Governed by Nigeria’s Marriage Act and Matrimonial Causes Act.(julawassociates.com)
Must follow legal procedures, including:
Offers full legal rights in property, inheritance, medical decisions, divorce proceedings, and globally recognised legal standing.
Note: If a marriage takes place in a church that is government‑licensed, officiated by a recognised minister of that church, conducted between 8 am and 6 pm, in the presence of at least two witnesses, and is preceded by a Registrar’s Certificate of Marriage notice, then it qualifies as a statutory marriage under the Marriage Act.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Individuals under 18 require parental consent documented in writing. There is no provision for marriage under 18, such marriages are invalid.
Each partner, including the German national, must present valid identification such as a passport or birth certificate (or a certified declaration of age via affidavit). These must be official, certified copies.
Applicants must show proof of being single, divorced, or widowed:
A German national would typically provide:
At least two witnesses are mandatory during the marriage ceremony, whether held at a Marriage Registry or licensed church. They do not need to be Nigerian.
Submit a Notice of Marriage at the local Registrar of Marriages; a fee applies (around NGN 2,000).
The Notice is publicly displayed for 21 days. If no objections, you will receive a Registrar’s Certificate, valid for three months.
Marriage must take place within those three months at a licensed venue:
At least one partner must have resided in the Local Government Area (LGA) for a minimum of 15 days before filing notice. There is no long-term residency requirement.
Nigeria does not formally require a CNI, unlike many Western jurisdictions. Instead, you provide:
Marrying in Nigeria requires various documents, often in translated and certified form:
Recent passport photographs of both partners.
Sworn affidavit of bachelorhood/spinsterhood from a Federal High Court (if never married).
Valid residence permit or visa confirming legal residency in Nigeria.
Two adult witnesses attending the ceremony; they may also need to present ID.
Letter of Indigene / Identification from the State of Origin.
(Not applicable to the foreign spouse.)
Note: German documents may need apostille certification and certified translations into English (or official Nigerian language). Nigerian registries may require notarised/legalised copies
The marriage process involves the following steps:
Before beginning the marriage process, both individuals must confirm their legal eligibility to marry under Nigerian law. Both parties must be at least 18 years of age. If either person is under 18, parental consent and a court order are required. Additionally, both individuals must be single, divorced, or widowed, meaning there should be no existing statutory marriage that would make the new union void under Nigerian law. A foreign partner must also have legal immigration status, such as a valid visa or residence permit.
Each party must collect the necessary documents. For the German national, this includes a valid international passport, birth certificate (or age declaration), affidavit of single status (or divorce decree/death certificate, if previously married), passport-sized photos, and proof of legal stay in Nigeria. The Nigerian partner typically provides similar documents, along with a letter of identification from their local government (or state of origin). Foreign documents may need to be translated into English and legalised or apostilled for use in Nigeria.
The couple must visit a Federal Marriage Registry (such as those in Ikoyi or Abuja) or a licensed Local Government registry. There, they complete and submit Form A – Notice of Marriage, which officially declares their intent to marry. The couple pays a filing fee (generally ₦2,000 to ₦5,000), and the registry begins processing the marriage application.
Once the Notice of Marriage is submitted, the registry publicly displays it for 21 days. This period allows members of the public to raise any legal objections to the proposed marriage (e.g., if someone knows one partner is already legally married). If no valid objections are made within this timeframe, the couple can proceed to the next stage.
After the 21-day notice period, both parties are required to swear an affidavit confirming they are legally free to marry. This is done before the registrar or a commissioner for oaths. If either partner was previously married, they must also present the divorce decree (Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute) or a death certificate of their former spouse.
Once the registry confirms that no legal obstacles exist, it issues the Registrar’s Certificate (Form C or E). This certificate legally permits the marriage to go ahead and is valid for three months from the date of issue. The couple must schedule their marriage ceremony within this validity period.
The couple can now choose a wedding date, which must fall within the three-month validity of the Registrar’s Certificate. The marriage ceremony may take place either at the marriage registry or at a licensed church. Church weddings must occur between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and the church must be authorised by the government to conduct statutory marriages. It is essential to confirm the church’s licensing status to ensure legal recognition of the marriage.
On the scheduled wedding day, the couple must appear with two adult witnesses (one for each partner). The registrar (or licensed church officiant) conducts the marriage ceremony. Both parties exchange vows, sign the marriage register, and are declared legally married. The marriage is now complete from a legal standpoint under Nigerian law.
Immediately after the ceremony, the couple is issued an official Nigerian Marriage Certificate by the registry. If the marriage was conducted at a licensed church, the signed marriage register is sent to the marriage registry, which then issues the official certificate. This certificate serves as the legal proof of marriage in Nigeria.
If the couple intends to use the marriage certificate in another country (such as Germany), they must take additional steps. The certificate must be authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, then legalised at the German Embassy or Consulate. This process makes the marriage legally recognised in Germany or any other foreign jurisdiction requiring verified documentation.
Would you like this in a printable format or need help locating specific registry offices (like Ikoyi or Abuja)?
Translating essential documents into English is imperative for legality. Translayte offers precise, certified translations that ensure compliance with all necessary legal standards. Find out more about our document translation services.
Ensuring a smooth marriage procedure includes:
Marriage in Nigeria incurs several costs:
| Item / Service | Estimated Cost (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Notice Filing (Form A) | ₦2,000 – ₦5,000 | Paid at the marriage registry |
| Registrar’s Certificate / Marriage License | ₦1,000 – ₦3,000 | Issued after 21-day notice |
| Affidavit of Single Status (each party) | ₦500 – ₦2,000 | Sworn at Federal or State High Court |
| Affidavit of Age Declaration (if no birth cert) | ₦1,000 – ₦3,000 | Optional if birth certificate unavailable |
| Passport Photos (2 per person) | ₦500 – ₦1,000 | Local photo studio rate |
| Certified Document Translations (per page) | ₦10,000 – ₦20,000 | For German-to-English official translations |
| Document Legalisation (per document) | ₦5,000 – ₦10,000 | May be required at Nigerian Foreign Affairs or embassies |
| Church Wedding License (optional) | ₦10,000 – ₦50,000 | Only applies if using a licensed church |
| Marriage Certificate Printing (official copy) | Often included (₦0–₦1,000) | May be issued on the spot |
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