Types of marriage in Kenya under the Marriage Act 2014
Office of the Registrar of Marriages · sources read 4 Oct 2026
The Marriage Act, 2014 recognises five types of marriage: Christian, civil, customary, Hindu and Islamic. Christian, Hindu and civil marriages are monogamous, customary and Islamic marriages are presumed polygamous, and all registered marriages have the same legal status.
- Where
- Registrar of Marriages: online on eCitizen (Nairobi only), regional registrars, or your District / Sub-County Commissioner's office
Steps
- Choose the system you will marry under: civil, Christian, Hindu, customary or Islamic.
- Know that a Christian, Hindu or civil marriage is monogamous: one husband, one wife.
- In Nairobi, use the Registrar's online marriage services on eCitizen.
- Outside Nairobi, register your marriage at your local District or Sub-County Commissioner's office.
Watch out
- Customary and Islamic marriages are presumed to be polygamous or potentially polygamous.
- All marriages registered under the Act have the same legal status.
- There are also Registrars of Marriages in Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi, Embu, Meru, Kisii and Machakos.
Who this covers
- Both of you must be at least 18 years old.
- Marriage is the voluntary union of a man and a woman, monogamous or polygamous.
Official sources (2)
- Getting Married in Kenya (Registrar of Marriages) statelaw.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Marriage Act, No. 4 of 2014 (Cap. 150) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026