Get a licence to conduct marriages as a minister of faith, and buy marriage books
Registrar of Marriages · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Apply on eCitizen with a recommendation letter from your religious organisation; once approved, pay KSh 2,000 (KSh 1,000 to renew) and the licence is ready about 5 days later. Licensed ministers then apply on eCitizen for marriage books at KSh 25,000.
- Fee
- KSh 2,000New minister of faith licenceKSh 1,000Renewal of minister of faith licenceKSh 25,000Marriage book (50 certificates)
- How long
- Licence: about 5 days after you pay. Marriage book: 1 day after you pay.
- Deadline
- Send each marriage certificate to the Registrar within 14 days of the wedding.
- Where
- Online on eCitizen (Registrar of Marriages, Office of the Attorney General)
What you need
- Recommendation letter on your organisation's letterhead, signed by an authorised official
- Copy of the religious institution's registration certificate
- Copy of the minister's national ID or valid passport
- Coloured passport-size photo of the minister
- To renew: your old licence, which you surrender
- For marriage books: a copy of the minister's licence
Steps
- Get your documents ready, then fill in the online application for a minister of faith licence on eCitizen and upload them.
- Wait for approval. You'll then be asked to pay on eCitizen: KSh 2,000 for a new licence or KSh 1,000 to renew.
- Once licensed, apply on eCitizen for a marriage book (50 certificates) with a copy of your licence.
- After approval, pay KSh 25,000 on eCitizen. The book is issued one day after payment.
- After each wedding, send the marriage certificate to the Registrar of Marriages within 14 days so it is registered.
Watch out
- The licence lets you conduct weddings at a licensed place of worship. A wedding elsewhere, like a garden, needs separate approval.
- You only get new marriage books after filing returns for the books you already have.
- Renewal is for Christian ministers licensed under the old Cap 151 law, before the Marriage Act of 2014.
Who can apply
- A minister nominated by a Christian, Hindu or Islamic organisation.
- You must be literate and understand the marriage process.
- Marriage books go to churches, temples and mosques.
Official sources (3)
- Licensing of Ministers of Faith statelaw.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Issuance of Marriage Books statelaw.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Getting Married in Kenya statelaw.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026