A No impediment to marry certificate is a certificate issued by the Office of the Registrar of Marriages in Kenya, confirming that a Kenyan citizen has no existing marriage record and therefore qualifies to get married outside of the country.

In Kenya, like many other countries, individuals seeking to marry abroad are required to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. This legal document, issued by the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, serves as confirmation that a Kenyan citizen is not currently married and is eligible to marry outside the country. The process of obtaining this certificate involves several steps and requirements to ensure compliance with legal standards. This article provides a detailed guide on how to apply for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage in Kenya.

For a Kenyan to get married in a foreign country a current Certificate of No Impediment to marriage is required. This can be applied for through ,

1. Kenyan Embassy in the country of residence / or Marriage.
2. Registrar of marriages in Nairobi, Via the Ecitizen Portal.

Requirements for application of a Certificate of no impediment to marry in Kenya.

The following are the requirements for application and processing of a certificate of no impediment to marriage in Kenya,

1. Certified copy of applicants Passport
2. Certified copy of applicants Birth Certificate
3. Passport-size photos of applicants
4. Fiancée’s certified Passport copy
5. Copy of Death Certificate if widow or widower.
6. Copy of Absolute Divorce Decree - If Kenyan the partner had been married and divorced.
7. Affidavit if the Death Certificate or Divorce Decree is more than two years
8. A letter by the applicant clearly indicating, the telephone number, email address, residential address and postal address

Online Application additional requirements

• 1. The online application for a certificate of no impediment to marry will require the following additional details

  • Full Name
  • ID Number
  • Phone Number
  • Email
  • Applicant Country of Residence
  • Applicant Country of Birth
  • Applicant Passport Number
  • Applicant County of Birth
  • Applicant Place of Birth
  • Date of Birth
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Last Place of Residence in Kenya
  • Occupation
  • Marital Status

• 2. Spouse Details:

  Provide information about your spouse, including:

  • Full Name of the spouse
  • Country of Marriage
  • Place of Marriage
  • Date of Marriage

• 3. Document Upload:

  Gather the required documents and upload them along with your application:

  • Applicant's Passport Size Photo
  • Applicant's Certified Passport Copy
  • Applicant's Certified Birth Certificate
  • Spouse's Passport Size Photo (Bride/Groom)
  • Spouse's Certified Passport Copy (Bride/Groom)
  • Spouse's Certified Birth Certificate (Bride/Groom)
  • Chiefs Letter or Affidavit (for applicants aged 40 years and above in Kenya)
  • Additional Documents such as the No Impediment Form

• 4. Certification Process:

  If you're a Kenyan residing abroad, ensure that the copies of your documents are certified by Kenyan Missions and Embassies or a Notary Public.

  Kenyans in Kenya whose fiancée is abroad should upload a certified copy of their fiancée’s passport.

  Applicants residing in Kenya must submit originals of their passport, birth certificate, and original certified copy of their fiancée’s passport (if applicable).

• 5. Display and Approval:

  After submitting your application and documents, they will undergo a mandatory 10-day display at the nearest Registrar's office based on your last place of residence in Kenya.

  Upon approval, you will be notified to proceed with the next steps.

• 6. Fee Payment:

  Once your application is approved, you will need to pay a fee of Kshs. 10,050/= on the eCitizen platform.

• 7. Validity Period:

  Remember, the Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage is valid for six months from the date of issue. Plan your wedding accordingly to ensure the certificate remains valid.

Procedure for application for a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage in Kenya

To obtain a Certificate of No impediment to marry, an application must to filed with the Registrar of marriages in Kenya at the attorney Generals chambers.

How long does a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage take?

The application and processing of a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage can take between 3 to 6 weeks.

The application for this certificate has to undergo a mandatory 10 days display at the nearest Registrar’s office dependent on the applicant’s last place of residence.

Who issues the Certificate of No impediment to Marriage in Kenya?

• The Certificate of No impediment to marriage is issued by the Registrar of Marriages at AGs chambers in Nairobi
• The Certification can also be done by Kenyan Foreign Missions and Embassies outside Kenya