AG Dorcas Oduor Issues Strict Directives on Marriage Certificate Submissions

By Robert Mutasi 

Newly appointed Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has set the course for her tenure by issuing a strong order that has sent pastors, imams and marriage registrars in Kenya into conflict.

The AG's office has ordered that all marriage certificates for marriages that have already been performed must be submitted within 30 days, a move aimed at strengthening the control and record keeping of marriages in the country.

The order, published in the official government notice MyGov on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, features a series of strict deadlines that have left many in the religious and civil marriage industry scrambling to comply.

According to the notice, registrars are required to scan and upload all marriage certificates within a period of 14 days, ensuring that all marriage records are digitized in a timely manner.

Attorney General Oduor emphasized the importance of this process, saying, "Scan and upload the marriage certificates and Registrar's certificates or special licenses as the case may be for all marriages to be conducted from September 1, 2024. The same is the submission of marriage. returns@ag.go. ke."

This order applies not only to future marriages but also to all marriages that have recently been performed, ensuring that the marriage registry in the country is up-to-date.

Apart from the digital submission, Oduor has ordered that the original marriage certificates be submitted to the Registrar of Marriages in Nairobi within fourteen days of the marriage ceremony.

This physical presentation is important for maintaining the integrity of official records and ensuring that all marriages are legally recognized.

The order is part of a broader effort by the AG's office to improve and streamline the marriage registration process in Kenya.

By requiring digital filing, the government aims to reduce the risk of lost or misplaced records and create a more efficient marriage tracking system.

However, the short deadline has caused concern among pastors, imams and registrars, who are now under pressure to comply with the new requirements.

Despite these challenges, the AG's office has made it clear that compliance is non-negotiable, signaling a new era of accountability in the marriage registration system in Kenya.

Failure to comply with the new instructions can lead to penalties or delays in the recognition of marriages, further emphasizing the urgency of registrars and pastors to act quickly.