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The Acting Director of Marriage at the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General, Simithe Samura, has outlined the procedures for registering civil and Islamic marriages in Sierra Leone, emphasizing measures aimed at preventing fraud and bigamy.
Speaking in an interview with Truth media, Samura explained that under Islamic law, a Muslim man is permitted to marry more than one wife. However, he noted that anyone registering a subsequent Islamic marriage must provide the certificate of the first marriage as part of the application process.
He also highlighted the procedures for civil marriages, stating that couples are required to book their wedding at least two months in advance to allow sufficient time for processing.
According to Samura, intending couples are issued application forms, which must be completed and submitted along with all required supporting documents.
He said that two days before the wedding, couples attend an oath-taking session where they meet with legal officers who verify their information, explain the legal implications of civil marriage, and confirm that both parties are entering the union willingly.
Samura stressed that the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General conducts thorough background checks before approving any marriage application.
He noted that applicants claiming to be divorced must present official legal documents confirming the dissolution of their previous marriage, adding that the documents are independently verified before the marriage can proceed.
To further prevent cases of bigamy, Samura disclosed that the office now publishes details of intended marriages on its official online platform, allowing members of the public to raise objections if they have credible information that one of the parties is already legally married.
He explained that when an objection is received, the marriage process is suspended while investigations are conducted. If the allegation is found to be false, the wedding is allowed to proceed.
Samura said the verification process is intended to promote transparency, protect the rights of couples, and uphold the integrity of marriage registration in Sierra Leone.
