Apply for a certificate of no impediment to marriage
From: Government of Kenya (public information)
Published 2 June 2026 · Last updated 2 June 2026
Find out how to get a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage from the Registrar of Marriages in Kenya. This page covers mandatory vetting timelines, single status verification documents, and processing costs for Kenyans marrying abroad.
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No direct application link is listed yet. Try eCitizen or contact government.
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 21 days minimum (Mandatory statutory waiting window to check central marriage database logs)
- Base cost
- Ksh 10,050 flat fee
- How to apply
- Online (Digital submission)
Fees and times can change. Confirm on the official site before you pay.
Before you start
- The applicant must be a legally documented Kenyan citizen over 18 years of age.
- You must be completely single. If you have an active civil, religious, or customary marriage certificate registered anywhere on the eCitizen index, your clearance will be denied.
Documents you need
- Scanned clear color copy of your valid Kenyan Passport (Bio-data page and current entry/visa stamps).
- Scanned clear color copy of your original National Identity Card (both sides).
- Scanned clear color copy of your official Birth Certificate.
- One recent passport-sized color photograph against a plain white background.
- Scanned clear color copy of the fiancé’s valid Passport or National ID card.
- Proof of single status matching history: Sworn marital status affidavit from a Commissioner for Oaths, or a Decree Absolute (if divorced), or a late spouse’s Death Certificate (if widowed).
Fees and charges
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registrar of Marriages Search and Clearance Processing Surcharge | Ksh 10,000 |
| eCitizen Portal Convenience Charge | Ksh 50 |
Questions
Can I apply for this clearance if I am a Kenyan citizen currently residing outside Kenya?
Yes. You can log into your personal eCitizen account from anywhere in the world, fill out your particulars, and settle the verification payment. Once the mandatory 21-day database registry check passes, the final signed certificate will be downloadable directly from your portal screen.
Does this document need further legalization after it is generated on eCitizen?
Yes. Depending on the country where you are getting married, you may need to take your printed digital clearance certificate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) headquarters in Nairobi for official apostille or embassy stamp certification before it is legally recognized by foreign authorities.