How to Register Your Marriage in Kenya via eCitizen (2026 Guide)

You’ve said yes, set the date, and booked the venue — but somewhere between choosing your colours and finalizing your guest list, a quiet panic sets in: “Wait, how do we actually make this legal?” If you’ve been putting off figuring out the government side of things, this guide is for you.

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As of January 13, 2026, the Kenya Attorney General’s office made a landmark move: all registrar’s certificates and special marriage licences are now issued exclusively through the eCitizen portal. No more queuing at Sheria House for a physical document — everything, from application to certificate download, happens online. This is genuinely good news for couples, but it does mean the process has changed, and outdated guides won’t help you. Here’s exactly how it works right now.

This guide covers the full eCitizen marriage registration process for Kenyan couples — documents, fees, timelines, and the common mistakes that cause couples to restart the whole process. For couples with an international partner, see our guide on international marriages in Kenya.

What Changed in January 2026: Fully Digital Certificates

The biggest shift in 2026 is that your marriage certificate and registrar’s certificate are now digitally generated and downloaded from the eCitizen portal. Physical documents issued at Sheria House are no longer valid for new registrations. Each digital certificate carries enhanced security features including a unique QR code that can be scanned to verify its authenticity — making it harder to forge and easier for institutions like banks and embassies to confirm.

The dedicated portal for all marriage services is oag.ecitizen.go.ke. Bookmark it now.

Understanding the Two Registration Routes

Before you start, you need to know which route applies to you.

Registration by Notice (the standard route) is what most Kenyan couples use. You give 21 days’ notice of your intention to marry, then solemnize the marriage within 90 days of that notice date. This applies to civil, Christian, and Hindu marriages.

Registration by Special Licence lets you skip the 21-day waiting period if you have a valid reason — for example, if your wedding venue is outside a licensed place of worship (a garden, hotel, or beach), or if urgent circumstances apply.

Not sure which one you need? Our broader guide on marriage registration in Kenya has a full breakdown of both routes.

Step-by-Step: Registration by Notice via eCitizen

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Do this first before logging into the portal. Uploading incomplete or mismatched documents is the number one reason applications get rejected.

Both partners need:

• Copy of National ID or valid Passport
• Copy of Birth Certificate — critical: the names on your birth certificate must match your ID exactly, same names in the same order
• One coloured passport-size photo each

If you were previously married:

• Death Certificate (if widowed)
• Divorce Decree Absolute (if divorced)
• A sworn affidavit confirming marital status, required if either document is more than 2 years old

For church weddings, you’ll also need:

• Two witness IDs (your best couple)
• Serial number of the marriage book (get this from your church or the Registrar)
• Copy of your Minister of Faith’s licence

Scan everything clearly at 300 DPI or higher. Blurry uploads cause delays.

Step 2: Apply Online at oag.ecitizen.go.ke

Go to oag.ecitizen.go.ke and log in with your eCitizen account. If you don’t have one, create it at accounts.ecitizen.go.ke using your National ID.

Select the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, then choose your marriage type — civil, Christian, or Hindu. Fill in:

• Both partners’ personal details and parents’ information
• Proposed county and venue of marriage
• Witness details
• Serial number of the marriage book

Download, sign, and upload the Notice of Marriage form that the portal generates. Once your application is submitted and reviewed, you’ll pay the notice fee of Ksh 600 through M-Pesa or card on the platform.

Step 3: Wait Out the 21-Day Notice Period

This is mandatory — you cannot pay to skip it on the standard route. The notice is publicly displayed so that anyone with a legal objection to your marriage can come forward. Use this time productively: finalize your wedding planning checklist, book vendors, and sort your wedding-day logistics.

Harusi Hub’s planning checklist automatically flags legal registration tasks based on your wedding date, so you’ll always know if you’re running behind.

Step 4: Book Your Interview

After the 21 days, log back into the portal and book an appointment to appear before the Registrar of Marriages. Appointments are scheduled and managed fully online — no walk-ins. Both partners must attend in person and bring all original documents for verification.

The interview confirms your identities, that you’re both free to marry, and that your paperwork is complete. It typically takes 20-30 minutes.

Step 5: Pay the Certificate Fee

After a successful interview, you’ll pay the final fee on the portal based on your wedding type:

Wedding Type	Fee
Civil Marriage at Registrar’s office or licensed venue	Ksh 3,300
Christian/Hindu Marriage at licensed place of worship	Ksh 800
Christian/Hindu Marriage outside licensed venue	Ksh 7,200

Step 6: Download Your Digital Certificate

Your Registrar’s Certificate is generated and available to download from the eCitizen portal approximately 3 days after your interview and payment. This is your legal document — save it, back it up, and share the PDF with your church or officiant.

For church weddings, submit this certificate to your church at least 4-6 weeks before the wedding, as churches have their own additional processes including banns announcements and pre-marital counselling.

The Special Licence Route

Choose this if you’re having a garden wedding, hotel reception, beach ceremony, or any venue that is not a licensed place of worship. Also use this if you have genuine urgent circumstances preventing you from waiting 21 days.

Both applicants must have been resident in Kenya for at least 7 days before the application, and the Special Licence must be used within a defined window — 14 days for civil marriages, 3 days for Christian/Hindu marriages.

Special Licence Type	Fee
Christian/Hindu — licensed place of worship	Ksh 7,200
Christian/Hindu — outside licensed venue	Ksh 14,200
Civil — Registrar’s Office	Ksh 9,700
Civil — outside Registrar’s Office	Ksh 16,700

The full process for special licences is covered in detail in our marriage license requirements guide.

Complete Fees Summary

Fee Type	Amount
Notice Fee (all types)	Ksh 600
Civil Marriage Certificate	Ksh 3,300
Christian/Hindu at licensed venue	Ksh 800
Special Licence (Christian/Hindu, licensed)	Ksh 7,200
Special Licence (outside licensed venue)	Ksh 14,200–16,700
Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate	Ksh 1,100
Certificate of No Impediment	Ksh 2,200

Government fees are paid through eCitizen — M-Pesa and card payments are accepted. Church fees, venue hire, and other wedding costs are entirely separate.

When Should You Start the Marriage Registration Process?

Start the legal process at least 3 months before your wedding date. Here’s why that timeline matters:

Timeframe	Action
3+ months before	Gather documents, check name alignment across all IDs and birth certificates
2-3 months before	Submit eCitizen application, pay notice fee
2 months before	21-day notice period runs; book interview appointment
6-8 weeks before	Attend interview at Sheria House
5 weeks before	Download digital certificate, submit to church
1 month before	Church processes finalized, venue confirmed on certificate

If you’re planning a shorter engagement, read our guide on planning a wedding in 3 months in Kenya — legal registration is always the first thing to sort.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes That Delay Marriage Registration?

1. Name mismatches across documents. This is the most common rejection reason. If your birth certificate says “Grace Achieng Odhiambo” but your ID says “Grace Odhiambo Achieng,” you have a problem. Resolve it with a sworn affidavit or by updating one of the documents before you apply.

2. Starting too late. The 21-day notice period cannot be shortened on the standard route. Factor in processing time, interview scheduling, and church requirements — 3 months minimum.

3. Wrong venue on the certificate. The venue on your Registrar’s Certificate is where you must legally marry. If you change venues after applying, you restart the entire process. Confirm your venue before applying.

4. Uploading low-quality scans. The portal requires clear, legible document scans. Blurry photos or screenshots of photos are rejected, adding weeks of delay.

What Your Church Will Need

Beyond the government requirements, your church has its own process. Most Nairobi churches require:

• Completion of pre-marital counselling (typically 6-8 sessions)
• Meeting with the Family or Marriage Pastor
• Passport photos of both partners (usually 3 copies each)
• Parents’ consent forms and full details
• Copy of your digital Registrar’s Certificate
• Best couple’s IDs

Start this process in parallel with your eCitizen application — don’t wait for the government certificate before approaching your church. Use Harusi Hub’s checklist to track both tracks simultaneously.

Tracking Your Legal Tasks with Harusi Hub

Harusi Hub’s wedding checklist automatically generates a Legal & Registration category with tasks timed to your wedding date. You’ll see tasks like “Submit eCitizen application” and “Book Registrar interview” appear in the right planning phase so nothing falls through the cracks.

Learn how the checklist works in our guide to using your wedding checklist, and see how planning phases keep you organised from the start in the planning phases guide.

Want to see the broader picture of what your wedding planning should look like? Our ultimate Kenya wedding planning guide covers every phase from engagement to honeymoon.

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This article reflects the eCitizen marriage registration process as of early 2026. For the most current requirements and fees, always verify directly at oag.ecitizen.go.ke or contact the Registrar of Marriages at Sheria House, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi.