What is the BI-130 form and when do I need it?

The BI-130, officially titled "Application for Marriage Certificate", is the prescribed form used to apply for a marriage certificate from the South African Department of Home Affairs. You need this form whenever you require official proof of marriage — for example, to change your surname on your ID document, to open a joint bank account, to add your spouse to your medical aid, for immigration or visa applications, for divorce proceedings, or for estate administration after the death of a spouse.

What is the difference between an abridged and unabridged marriage certificate?

An abridged marriage certificate is a shorter document that confirms a marriage took place and is sufficient for most purposes within South Africa, such as changing your surname or updating your banking details. An unabridged marriage certificate is a more detailed document that includes additional information from the original marriage register and is mainly required for overseas purposes — immigration, foreign marriage registration, international visa applications, and apostille certification. A vault copy is a certified copy of the original entry in the marriage register and is typically requested for legal proceedings.

How much does a marriage certificate cost in South Africa?

The prescribed fee for a marriage certificate application is R75 for standard processing. Payment is made at the Department of Home Affairs office when you submit your BI-130 form. The fee applies regardless of whether you are requesting an abridged certificate, unabridged certificate, or vault copy. Keep your receipt as proof of payment.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate?

Expect 6 to 12 months between applying and receiving the certificate from the Department of Home Affairs. Abridged certificates are usually quicker than unabridged ones. The common causes of delay are verification at the Central Records office in Pretoria, backlogs at regional offices, and discrepancies between your application and the original marriage register. There is no express or expedited service available — plan well ahead of any deadlines.

Where do I apply for a marriage certificate?

You apply at any Department of Home Affairs office in South Africa. The office nearest to where the marriage was originally registered may be able to process your application faster, as the marriage record is held at the relevant regional office. If you are outside South Africa, you can apply through the nearest South African embassy or consulate. The process cannot currently be done online.

What documents do I need to apply for a marriage certificate?

You need your original South African ID document (Smart ID card or valid ID book), certified copies of both the husband's and wife's ID documents, and payment of R75. You must also know the full names and 13-digit ID numbers of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the name and place of the church or magistrate's office where the marriage was solemnised. If you are not the husband or wife, you may need proof of your relationship to the married couple (such as a power of attorney or death certificate).

Can someone other than the husband or wife apply for a marriage certificate?

Yes. A third party can apply for a marriage certificate on behalf of the married couple, but they must provide proof of their relationship to the couple or a reason for the request. This may include a power of attorney signed by one of the spouses, a court order, or (in the case of a deceased spouse) a death certificate and proof of relationship. The applicant must still provide the full details of both spouses as required on the BI-130 form.

What if my marriage was under customary law?

Customary marriages are recognised under the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act (Act 120 of 1998), provided they have been registered with the Department of Home Affairs. If your customary marriage was registered, you can apply for a marriage certificate using the BI-130 form with the same details as for a civil marriage. If your customary marriage was not registered, you must first register it at a Home Affairs office before you can obtain a certificate.

What are the most common mistakes that delay BI-130 applications?

The most common mistakes include: incorrect or transposed digits in the 13-digit ID numbers for either spouse, marriage details (date, venue, place) that do not match the original register, not specifying the purpose for an unabridged certificate, leaving the form unsigned, not bringing certified copies of both spouses' ID documents, and applying without knowing the exact details of where and when the marriage was solemnised. Our FillMeIn form tool validates ID numbers and required fields to catch many of these errors before you submit.

Do I need to apostille my marriage certificate for overseas use?

If you are using the marriage certificate for international purposes (immigration, foreign marriage registration, overseas employment, or visa applications), the requesting country may require the certificate to be apostilled or authenticated. In South Africa, apostilles are issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria. You must first obtain the unabridged marriage certificate from Home Affairs, then take the original to DIRCO for apostilling. Allow at least 1 to 2 additional weeks for the apostille process.

Is my personal information safe when using FillMeIn to fill the BI-130?

Yes. FillMeIn processes all your data entirely on your device. Your personal information, ID numbers, marriage details, and all form data never leave your phone or computer — nothing is sent to our servers or stored in the cloud. This privacy-first approach means your sensitive personal information stays under your control at all times. You can fill the form offline and your data remains on your device even after generating the PDF.

BI-130 — Marriage Certificate Application

Department of Home Affairs · Verified 1 May 2026