Marriage

The information on this website on marrying or entering into a civil partnership in Sudan is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the FCO by the relevant local authorities. The information on this website is therefore only up to date and accurate to the extent that such authorities provide us with timely and accurate information. Accordingly the FCO does not guarantee that this information is accurate and will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

British nationals wishing to obtain information about marriage or civil partnership must also contact the relevant local authority to be sure of the requirements that they need in order for their ceremony to go ahead

The Non-Muslims Marriage Act 1926, states that the following requirements and documentation  be fulfilled

The procedure must be done by the concerned parties in person.

Obtain a certificate of no impediment from their embassy, i.e. if the couple are from different countries then the approval shall be obtained from both concerned embassies.

Present an application to the “ Non-Muslims Personal Status Court” called Marriage Permeation accompanied by a copy of the passports for the concerned parties. Such procedure could take two weeks and could stretch to more than a month, from the date of submission depending on the investigations that will take place by the concerned local authorities. The governmental fee for such procedure bounces from 100 to 300 USDs.

After obtaining the approval from the “ Non-Muslims Personal Status Court” then the authorised couple may have a church wedding .

The church wedding certificate must be handed to the above mentioned court, again, to be approved with the court seal.

How to obtain a “Certificate of no impediment”

Documentation

• Full Birth certificate or certified copy
• Valid passport and residency permit
• Evidence of termination of any previous marriage ( decree Absolute / Death certificate )
• Current fee in local currency. ( see table of fees )

Procedure

• Applicant to swear an Affidavit
• Notice of marriage to be displayed at the embassy for 21 days without objection
• Certificate of No Impediment then issued.

Marrying out of Sudan

• A British National whom is resident in Sudan and intends to marry out of the country, must follow the above steps to obtain a Certificate of no Impediment.
• After the notice has been displayed for 21 days without objection, the notice will be stamped by the embassy "no impediment shown" then it must then be taken to the embassy in the consular district of the country in which the marriage is to take place.
• They will then issue a Certificate of no Impediment at the current fee.

Marriage contract / Certificate

• An Islamic marriage contract / certificate can be provided by the Mosque or the Registrar General of the Sharia Court. Two witnesses are required to attend.
• A Non-Muslims marriage contract / certificate can be provided by the Church or the Registrar General of the Sharia Court. Two witnesses are required to attend.
• The contract / certificate may be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Whose signature can then be legalised at the British Embassy.

Birth registration

There is no obligation for the birth of a British National to be recorded in this way. However there are advantages that a British form of birth certificate is then available and that a record of the birth is afterwards held at the Government Registry Office in the United Kingdom. Copies of the entry can be obtained at a further cost.

The fee for registration is payable in local currency. See the table of fees for the current charges.

If you wish to apply for this service, you must complete the application form, (available at the Consular office.)

Before registering the birth, we need to see evidence of the national status of the person whose birth is to be registered. Photocopies of documents are NOT acceptable.

The original documents will be returned to you as soon as possible.

Documents required

• Local Birth certificate translated into English and stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This certificate must name both parents.
• The father’s (if British ) long birth certificate, or if born outside the United Kingdom, documentary evidence of his claim to British nationality. eg Naturalisation or Registration certificate.
• The mother’s ( if British ) long birth certificate, or if born outside the United Kingdom, documentary evidence of her claim to British nationality. eg Naturalisation or Registration certificate.
• The parent’s marriage certificate and if appropriate, evidence of the termination of any previous marriage of either parent.
• Mother’s or father’s British passport.