The Department of Home Affairs is making a final call to the public: register your customary marriage before 31 August 2026 or risk missing a special window to legalize your union.
The department introduced a 2-year special registration period that began on 1 September 2024 to help couples formalize customary marriages that were never officially recorded. That window closes in just over a month.
So,who qualifies?
This grace period covers two groups:
- Older unions: Customary marriages that took place before the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act that came into effect in November 2000.
- Recently unregistered unions: Marriages that happened after 2000 but were not registered within the required time frame.
Benefits of Registration:
Ensures that the marriage is legally recognized in South Africa, which affects issues like inheritance, property rights, and access to spousal benefits.
Communities,donât leave it to the last minute. With the deadline approaching, Home Affairs is warning couples to avoid procrastination.
Offices are expected to get busy closer to 31 August, leading to long queues and delays.
The department is also calling on traditional leaders, community leaders, and civil society groups to spread the word and help eligible couples get to their nearest Home Affairs office.
What to do next
For details on required documents and the application process, visit any Home Affairs branch.
What to expect
After that: Couples who missed the special period may face more complicated legal processes to have their marriages recognized.
Sector: Home Affairs and Boarder Control
Posted by: Home Affairs and Boarder Control Sector News
Area: South Africa
Posted: 27 July 2026
Village Comments
You must be logged in as a subscriber to comment.
Login / Sign Up