With the recent spike in Zimbabweans flocking to the diaspora there has been an increase in the number of marriages contracted. The piece below will shed light on a very important document that one must possess in the event that they intend to get married abroad.
For a Zimbabwean to get married abroad they need to obtain what is termed a certificate of no impediment or non-marriage. Certificates of no impediment are granted to citizens of Zimbabwe who want to get married for the first time or are divorced and want to get married again. Such a certificate can be sought for in person or through a nominee at the Makombe Building in Harare, Zimbabwe, where the Registrar of Marriages is located.
A Certificate of Non marriage or letter of no impediment:
What is it?
When a citizen of a nation plans to get married in a foreign land (overseas), a certificate of non-marriage serves as official documentation of that person’s marital status. The Registrar of Marriages issues the certificate attesting to the fact that the applicant’s planned marriage is unhindered by law as they are not currently bound by marriage to another. Once the certificate is issued it is valid for a period of 6 months and if such time frame lapses before its intended use the applicant may have to re-apply for a valid non marriage certificate. This is a document that shields foreigners hoping to wed Zimbabweans from the humiliation of getting married to someone who might still be legally married to someone else. It also reassures the foreign spouse to be of their partners single status as the document speaks for itself.
The following paperwork must be submitted to the Registrar of Marriages for one to receive a certificate of no marriage:
The documents to be submitted to the Marriages Registrar must be authenticated at the Zimbabwean embassy or consulate from the country where the Applicant is resident.
i. A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate,
ii. A duplicate of their passport’s information page (bio page).
iii. A copy of the last stamped page of their passport.
iv. Letter of authority or Special Power of Attorney (in the event that the applicant plans to pick up the certificate through an agency)
