Getting married in Kenya

Have your wedding on a tropical beach, or in the excitement of a safari park...

Why get married in Kenya?

Combining a wedding on the beautiful Kenyan coast with the excitement of a honeymoon safari is one of the most memorable experiences you can have.

Kenya is split in half by the equator. The region north of the equator is hot and receives very little rain. The southern region falls into three zones: the coast is humid; the highlands are temperate; and the Lake Victoria region is tropical.

The coast has much to offer, with wonderful beaches and a variety of water sports. Inland are the peaks of Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, while the open savannah plains are home to Kenya’s magnificent wildlife.

What kind of wedding ceremony can I have in Kenya?

You can choose from a religious ceremony in a church, a civil ceremony in a Register Office or, much more exciting, a service on a tropical beach on in a safari park.

Bear in mind that you will need to contact the Registrar General for a special licence specifying your desired place. If you want a religious ceremony you should contact your church for arrangements and information regarding requirements.

Is it wedding weather?

What’s the flight time?

10 hours

What’s the time difference?

GMT +3

Do I need a visa to enter the country?

All visitors require an entry visa. This can be obtained from the Kenyan High Commission in London (see  Where can I find further information? ) or on arrival in Kenya.

What’s the wedding paperwork?

• Residency In normal circumstances, residency in Kenya is 21 days. If this is not possible, a Special Licence can be obtained beforehand by contacting the Registrar's Office in Kenya. (For address, see Where can I find further information?). With this, no period of residency is necessary.
• Proof of ID You will need to produce your original birth certificates and valid 10-year passports.
• Proof of status A statutory declaration must be obtained stating that you are both single and free to marry. This must be stamped and sealed and state the words "solicitor", "notary public" or "Commissioner of Oaths". Handwritten documents are not accepted.
• Divorced If you are divorced you must produce your Decree Absolute with a court stamp.
• Widowed If either of you is widowed you must provide the death certificate of your deceased spouse.
• Age restrictions If you’re under 21, you’ll need to obtain parental consent in the form of a Statutory Declaration stamped and signed by a solicitor.
• Name change If your name has been changed by Deed Poll you must provide legal proof stamped and signed by a solicitor. This also applies if you are a divorced woman and have reverted back to your maiden name.

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