The Marriage (Hindu Marriage) Rules

Legal Notice 47 of 2017

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The Marriage (Hindu Marriage) Rules
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LAWS OF KENYA

MARRIAGE ACT

THE MARRIAGE (HINDU MARRIAGE) RULES

LEGAL NOTICE 47 OF 2017

  • Published in Kenya Gazette Vol. CXIX—No. 44 on 7 April 2017
  • Commenced on 7 April 2017
  1. [Revised by 24th Annual Supplement (Legal Notice 221 of 2023) on 31 December 2022]

1. Citation

These Rules may be cited as the Marriage (Hindu Marriage) Rules.

2. Interpretation

In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires—"Act" means the Marriage Act (Cap. 150);"Council" means the Hindu Council of Kenya or any other body designated and recognized as such by the Hindu Community in Kenya;"Hindu" has the meaning assigned to it under the Act;"Hindu marriage" means a marriage contracted in accordance with the tenets of the Hindu faith;"marriage officer" means a person appointed under section 52 of the Act, upon recommendation by the Council for purposes of these rules.

3. Notice and Registrars certificate

(1)Where a man and a woman who adhere to the Hindu faith intend to marry under Part VI of the Act, they shall give to the Registrar a written notice of not less than twenty-one days and not more than three months, of their intention to marry.
(2)The notice referred to in paragraph (1) shall be in Form MH1 as set out in the First Schedule.
(3)The parties to a proposed Hindu marriage shall swear an affidavit in form MH2 set out in the First Schedule before the Registrar confirming that there is no legal impediment to the intended marriage.
(4)The Registrar shall at any time after the expiration of twenty-one days and before the expiration of three months from the date of the notice in subrule (1), issue the applicant with a certificate in the form set out in Form MH3 set out in the First Schedule.

4. Special Licence

(1)Parties to a marriage may apply to the Registrar for a special licence in Form MH4 set out in the First Schedule.
(2)The Registrar may, after considering the application under subrule (1), dispense with the notice required under rule 3 and issue a special licence where—
(a)any of the parties to the marriage is a foreign national;
(b)both the parties to the marriage are foreign nationals;
(c)the marriage is intended to be solemnised outside a licensed venue; or
(d)the parties are unable for just cause to give the twenty-one day notice to the registrar of their intention to marry.
(3)A special licence shall be in Form MH5 set out in the First Schedule.

5. Licensing of Hindu marriage officers

(1)A Hindu marriage shall be conducted by a minister of faith licensed for that purpose by the Registrar under section 52(3) of the Act.
(2)A person shall be eligible for a licence under subrule (1) if the person—
(a)is literate and demonstrates an understanding of the Hindu marriage process; and
(b)is recommended by the Council by notice in writing to the Registrar.
(3)The Council shall forward the identification documents of the ministers of faith in respect of whom a recommendation is made under subrule (2)(b).
(4)A licence under this rule shall be in Form MH6 set out in the First Schedule.

6. Registration of Hindu marriages

(1)There shall be issued in respect of every Hindu marriage a certificate in Form MH7 set out in the First Schedule.
(2)The Registrar shall supply the Hindu Marriage certificates upon application by the Council for use for purposes of these rules.

7. Marriage registers

(1)The Registrar shall establish and maintain a Register of Hindu Marriages into which shall be entered the details of the marriages contracted under these rules.
(2)The Registrar shall enter the details of each marriage certificate issued under section 56(1) of the Act into the register referred to in subrule (1) in Form MH8 set out in the First Schedule.

8. Certified copy of marriage certificate and marriage register

(1)An application for a certified copy of a marriage certificate and a certified copy of the entry in the marriage register shall be in Form MH9 set out in the First Schedule.
(2)A certified copy of a certificate of marriage shall be in Form MH10 set out in the First Schedule.
(3)A certified copy of an entry in the register shall be in Form MH11 set out in the First Schedule.

9. Registration of marriages performed under Cap. 157 (Repealed)

(1)Parties to a marriage contracted under the Hindu Marriage and Divorce Act (Repealed) shall apply to the Registrar for the registration of that marriage in accordance with section 96(2) of the Act.
(2)An application for registration under subrule (1) shall be in Form MH12 set out in the First Schedule and shall be accompanied by—
(a)a forwarding letter from the Hindu Council;
(b)a certified copy of the marriage certificate or other documents certified by the Council evidencing the marriage; and
(c)copies of identification documents.
(3)The Registrar shall, where satisfied with the application, issue the applicants with a certificate of marriage in accordance with these rules.

10. Fees

The fees for the items specified in the first column of the Second Schedule shall be as set out in the second column of the Second Schedule.
  
  
  
  
  

FIRST SCHEDULE

FORMS

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH1  (r. 3(2))
    
NOTICE OF MARRIAGE
 
 
To the Registrar of Marriages for the .................................................. County of Kenya.
We hereby give notice that a marriage is intended to be entered into within three months from that date hereof between us the undersigned on the ........... day of ............. 20 ........... at ............................... in Kenya.
Part 1 - PARTIES' DETAILS
NameConditionOccupationAgeResidence & AddressContacts
Bridegroom     
Bride     
Part 2 - PARENTS' DETAILS
Groom's Parents
NameOccupationResidence & Address
Father  
Mother  
Bride's Parents
NameOccupationResidence & Address
Father  
Mother  
Part 3 - PARTIES' DECLARATION
We solemnly declare that there is no impediment caused by relationship consanguinity or affinity and we know of no other legal impediment to the proposed marriage.
Bridegroom's signature ..................Date ......................................  Bride's signature .........................Date ......................................
Notes—
Any person who supplies false information to a Registrar or uses, gives or sends any certificate, document or declaration required for this marriage notice which is false or forged in any way is liable to prosecution.
Status can either be bachelor, spinster, widow, widower, divorced or married under customary law.

____________________

 
 
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH2  (r. 3(3))
AFFIDAVIT
I ...............................................................................................................................................of P. O. Box ...........................................................................................................................make oath and state as follows—
7. That a marriage is to be solemnised between me and ..........................................................................................................................................at ......................................................................................................................................
8. That l am a ................................................................................................................................. and the said ..................................................................................... is a ................................................................................... (Indicate marital condition)
9. That I have, for fifteen days immediately preceding this date, been resident at ............................................................................ in the county of ......................................................................................
10. That neither I nor the said ................................................................................................................. is under the age of eighteen years.
11. That I solemnly declare that there is no impediment caused by relationship consanguinity or affinity and we know of no other legal impediment to the proposed marriage.
Sworn at .......................... this ....................... day of ............................., 20 .........................
Before me ...................................  __________________
Registrar  (Signature of deponent)

____________________

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH3  (r. 3(4))
    
REGISTRAR'S CERTIFICATE
I, ..................................................................................., Registrar of Marriages for .......................... ......... County do hereby certify that on the ............... day of ..................... 20 .......... notice was duly entered in the marriage notice of this sub-county of the marriage intended between the parties herein named and described at ............................................................ in Kenya, such notice being delivered under the hand of ..................................................... and ............................... ..................... ........ that is to say—
NameParties to the MarriageConditionOccupationAgeResidence and Address
Bridegroom    
Bride    
Witnessed under my hand this ........................ day of ....................................... 20 ..............
   Registrar of Marriages
Note—This certificate will be void unless the marriage is solemnised on or before the ............. day of ............................................................................ 20 ..........

____________________

 
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH4  (r. 4(1))
APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL LICENCE
I ..........................................................................................................................of .......................................................................................................................
Hereby apply for the grant of a Special Licence and I hereby make oath and say as follows—
1. A marriage is proposed to be celebrated between ...........................................................................and myself at ..................................................................................................................................on or about the ................................................. day of ................................. 20 ............................
2. I am not aware of any lawful impediment to the proposed marriage.
3. I am .................................................................................................. years of age and the said..................................................................................... is .................................. years of age.
4. I am a ..................... and the said .................... is a ........................ (Marital status)
5. Notice of the intended marriage has not been given under rule 3 —....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
6. I now seek dispensation from the requirements of the Act relating to the giving of notice and the issue of the certificate of the Registrar because— ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Sworn at ............................ this ......................... day of ............................ 20 ....................
   Registrar of Marriages

____________________

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH5  (r. 4(3))
SPECIAL LICENCE
WHEREAS ...................................................................................................................................of ....................................................................................................................................................being a ..................................................................................................................... and....................................................................................................................................................
of ................................................................................................................ beinga .....................................................................................................
desire to marry and sufficient cause has been shown to my why the preliminaries required by the Act should be dispensed with:
NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the Act, I do dispense with the giving of notice and issue the certificate thereby prescribed and do hereby authorise the Registrar of Marriages or recognised minister of faith to celebrate the marriage between the said —
...............................................................................................................................................................and ...........................................................................................................................................................at ................................
within ninety days from the date hereof.
Such marriage may be celebrated between the hours of 8 O'clock in the morning and 5 O'clock in the afternoon.
Given under my hand on this ................................. day of .................................... 20 .............
   Registrar of Marriages

____________________

 
 
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH6  (r. 5(4))
LICENCE TO CONDUCT HINDU MARRIAGES
 
IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred on me by section 52 of the Marriage Act (Cap. 150) I hereby license the ministers of faith of the
..............................................................................................................................................
Named in the Schedule hereto to celebrate marriages under the provisions of the Act.
Dated the ...................................................................................... 20 ..................................
   Registrar of Marriages

____________________

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH7  (r.6(1))
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
Marriage solemnised at .......................in .........................sub-county ...................... county in the Republic of Kenya.
Date of marriageMarriage Entry No.
Bridegroom's NameAge.Marital status.
  
Residence at time of marriageCounty.Sub-county.
Occupation.
Parents Names
Father's name.Mother's name.
Occupation.Residence.OccupationResidence.
Bride's NameAge.Marital status.
  
Residence at time of marriageCounty.Sub-county.
Occupation.
Parents Names
Father's name.Mother's name.
Occupation.Residence.OccupationResidence.

____________________

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH8  (r. 7(2))
REGISTER OF MARRIAGE
Marriage solemnised at .......................in..........................sub-county ............................county in the Republic of Kenya.
Date of marriage:Entry No:
Groom's Name:Age:Marital status:
Residence at time of marriageCounty:Sub-county:
Occupation:
Father's name:Mother's name:
Groom's father's occupation:Groom's mother's occupation:
Bride's NameAge.Marital status.
Residence at time of marriageCounty.Sub-county.
Bride's father's occupation:Bride's mother's occupation:
Entered this ...............day of ........................ 20 ........... at the CountyRegistry of Marriage at .......................................

____________________

 
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH9  (r. 8(1))
   Search Fee: Ksh. 500
    
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFIED COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE OR REGISTER
 
General Search Form
 
(Please complete this Form in BLOCK LETTERS)
    
APPLICATION(Tick as appropriate)1. Certified copy of certificate of marriage 
2. Certified copy of certificate of marriage 
DETAILS OF APPLICANT.Name 
Phone No. 
Address. 
Full Name of Husband 
Full Name of Bride 
Date of Marriage 
Place of Marriage 
OFFICIATED BY(Registrar or Minister of Faith) 
Name and Address of Registry Office/Place of Worship 
Entry Number of Certificate or Register 
Other Particulars Which Would Help to trace the Entry. 
Comments. 

____________________

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MARRIAGE ACT, (Cap. 150)
    
   (r. 8(2))
   Search Fee: Ksh. 600
FORM MH10
 
CERTIFIED COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
Marriage solemnised at .......................in..........................sub-county ............................county in the Republic of Kenya.
Date of marriage:Entry No:
Groom's Name:Age:Marital status:
Residence at time of marriageCounty:Sub-county:
Occupation: 
Husband's father's name:Occupation:Residence:
Husband's mother's name:Occupation:Residence:
Wife's name:Age:Marital status:
Occupation: 
Wife's father's name:Occupation:Residence:
Wife's mother's name:Occupation:Residence:
Certified to be a true copy of the certificate of marriage.Given under the seal of the Registrar on the ........... day of ................ 20 ........NOTES - Any person who (a) falsifies any of the particulars of the certificate, or (b) uses a falsified certificate as true copy knowing it to be false, is liable to prosecution.Typed by: .........................................Checked by: ......................................

____________________

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
 
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
FORM MH11  (r. 8(3))
CERTIFIED COPY OF REGISTER OF MARRIAGE
CERTIFIED COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
Marriage solemnised at ...................in..........................sub-county ............................county in the Republic of Kenya.
Date of marriage:Marriage register entry no:
Husband's Name:Age:Marital status:
Residence at time of marriageCounty:Sub-county:
Occupation: 
Husband's father's name:Occupation:Residence:
Husband's mother's name:Occupation:Residence:
Wife's name:Age:Marital status:
Occupation: 
Wife's father's name:Occupation:Residence:
Wife's mother's name:Occupation:Residence:
Certified to be a true copy of the certificate of marriage.Given under the seal of the Registrar on the ........... day of ................ 20 ........NOTES - Any person who (a) falsifies any of the particulars of the certificate, or (b) uses a falsified certificate as true copy knowing it to be false, is liable to prosecution.Typed by: .........................................Checked by: ......................................

____________________

REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MARRIAGE ACT (Cap. 150)
    
FORM MH12  (r. 9(2))
    
APPLICATION FORM FOR THE REGISTRATION OF AN EXISTING HINDU MARRIAGE UNDER SECTION 96(2) OF THE MARRIAGES ACT (Cap. 150)
 
1.Name (Husband) ...............................................Age/Date of Birth ....................................................
2.Name Wife ....................................................Age/Date of Birth ...............................................
3.Place of Residence, (If Any) (Husband) ..............................
4.Place of Residence, (If Any) (Wife) ..................................
5.A Hindu Marriage was solemnized between (Name of the Husband) ....................... and (Wife) .................. on ............... at ...................
(date)..................... (place) ......................
6.According to the Hindu faith and rites and we declare that we have been living together as husband and wife ever since the date noted above.
7.We hereby declare that—
(a)Neither of us had a spouse living at the time of Marriage.
(b)Both of us had completed the age of Eighteen Years at the time of marriage and the consent of our guardians had been obtained for the marriage.
(c)There was no impediment caused by the relationship, consanguinity or affinity and we did not know of no other legal impediment to our marriage.
8.Marital status at the time of marriage of the parties.
   
  Husband ............................
  Wife ...................................
We also declare that the above particulars are true to the best of our knowledge and belief.Signature ..........................................
(Husband)
Signature ..........................................
(Wife)
Station ..........................Dated ............................

SECOND SCHEDULE [r. 10]

FEES

Item KSh.
1.Notice of marriage600
2.Issuance of marriage certificate500
3.Issuance of a certified copy of marriage certificate600
4.Commissioning of affidavit200
5.Search of marriage certificate500
6.Issuance of Registrar's certificate600
7.Amendment of marriage record200
8.Licensing of minister of faith2,000
9.Special licence7,000
10.Registration of marriages contracted under the Hindu Marriage and Divorce Act ( Repealed)3,900
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History of this document

31 December 2022 this version