GOVERNMENT DISCONTINUES MANUAL PRINTING OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

The Office of the Attorney General, has formally discontinued the manual production of marriage documents, mandating a full shift to online.

Effective immediately, the Office of the Registrar of Marriages in Nairobi will no longer print or manually issue Registrar’s Certificates and Special Licenses for Civil, Christian, and Hindu unions. From January 13, 2026, these documents will be generated and obtained exclusively via the e‑Citizen portal.

In an official statement, the Attorney General’s office announced the enhancement of marriage registration services, “The Office of the Attorney General is pleased to inform Marriage Officers and the public of enhanced marriage registration services, effective immediately,” the notice read.

This strategic transition supports the government’s wider agenda to modernise public service delivery and fortify the integrity of vital civil records. Under the new procedure, applicants are required to log into Citizen platform to apply for, generate, and download their certificates.

To combat fraud and simplify authentication, each digitally issued document will now incorporate advanced security features. These include a unique marriage application reference number and a scannable Quick Response (QR) code, allowing for instant verification of authenticity by relevant authorities and institutions.

The digital system also introduces convenience for citizens, enabling the swift re-download of certificates in cases of loss or misplacement, without the need for physical visits or manual requests.

Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has stated the necessity of this modernisation, saying it as a critical step to ensure greater efficiency, security, and accountability in the marriage registration process. All Marriage Officers nationwide have been directed to comply with the new digital-only protocol. The notice explicitly states that no physical, manually produced alternatives will be available, requiring all parties to utilise the official online portal.

This change establishes a centralised, secure digital ledger for marriage documentation, aimed at improving long-term record-keeping and eliminating risks associated with physical document handling, loss, or alteration. Previously, applicants often faced delays due to in-person queues and manual processing at Sheria House challenges the new 24/7 digital service is designed to resolve.

The Registrar’s office has advised the public and all Marriage Officers to note this transition and direct any inquiries to their offices at Sheria House. In September 2024, the government proposed a substantial increase in processing fees from Ksh5,000 to as high as Ksh50,000 as part of a national revenue-raising strategy.

Concurrently, Attorney General issued a directive requiring all existing marriage certificates to be submitted for scanning and digital upload within a strict 30-day window, a move that drew concern from some religious leaders and registrars regarding potential administrative and financial burdens on couples.