Tonga - Register Marriage

ProcedureEdit

Application to get married is submitted to the district in which one of the parties has resided for at least 16 months prior to the date of the application for the issue to them of a licence to marry
The parties to an intending marriage are required to provide a birth certificate or some other evidence of age to the satisfaction of the sub-registrar. They will also need to make an affidavit that there is no legal impediment to the proposed marriage.
If the sub-registrar is satisfied that the parties are legally capable of contracting a valid marriage, he will issue a marriage licence. The licence must be presented to the Minister who will perform the marriage ceremony.
There must be at least 2 witnesses during the marriage ceremony. The witnesses will sign each copy of the certificate in the printed book of forms in the possession of the minister officiating. The Minister will also sign each form.
It is the Minister's responsibility to deliver to the sub-registrar of the district in which the ceremony took place one copy or, in the case of the Vava'u, Ha'apai, Eua and Niuas Sub-Registrars, 2 copies of the certificate. This must be done within 3 weeks from the time the ceremony was performed.
Any minister who fails to carry out the provisions hereof shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20. Any minister who defaults more than twice in any one calendar year shall be liable to forfeit his licence to solemnize marriage.
The sub-registrar will enter the particulars contained in the said certificate in a register to be kept for that purpose and the certificate will be forwarded to the Registrar of the Supreme Court who shall file the same in the Supreme Court Office.

If you are outside Tonga

You may use the link provided under "Office Locations & Contacts" to get in touch with the nearest embassy or consulate of Tonga in the country you are currently staying. The Embassy's consular service section will be able to help process your request to register your marriage in Tonga.

Required DocumentsEdit

Applications for a licence to marry:

The birth certificates of both applicants. If an applicant cannot produce his or her birth certificate then, unless the Sub-Registrar hearing the application is satisfied beyond any doubt by the appearance of the applicant that he or she is over 18, he or she shall file an affidavit by a person who has personal knowledge of when the applicant was born and that person shall state his means of knowledge.
An applicant who is over 15 but under 18 years of age must exhibit the written consent of his parents or guardian. If his parents are divorced or separated the consent shall be that of the parent who has custody of him; where there is no custody order and the parents disagree the Sub-Registrar shall decide which parent shall be entitled to give or refuse consent.
When it is requested that the marriage should be solemnized by a Minister of Religion other than the Minister whose name appears on the book of certificates held in the building where the applicants wish to be married, the written consent of the Minister whose name appears on the book.
Affidavit completed by the parties stating that there is no legal impediment to the proposed marriage

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Ministry of Justice
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE ('Ulu'i 'Ofisi)
Location: Corner Lavinia and Kausela Rd. Nuku'alofa, TONGA.
Mailing Address:P.O Box 130, Nuku'alofa, TONGA.
Ph: +676 25618
Officer in charge: CEO: Mele Ikatonga Vaitohi

VITAL STATISTICS OFFICE
(Ofisi o e ngaahi lekooti mahu'inga- Fale Tohita'u)
Location: Opposite Talamahu Market, Nuku'alofa, TONGA.
Ph: +676 23599
Fax: +676 22380
Officer in charge : Assistant Vital Statistics Officer, Mrs. Mele Kafo'atu Mafile'o

Tonga- Consulates/Embassies
check the bottom of the page for links to the embassies

EligibilityEdit

Prohibited degrees of consanguinity:

It shall not be lawful for a man to marry:

his grandmother
his father's sister
his mother's sister
his father's sister's daughter
his father's brother's daughter
his mother's sister's daughter
his mother
his stepmother
his wife's mother
his sister
his daughter
his son's wife
his brother's daughter
his sister's daughter
his granddaughter.

It shall not be lawful for a woman to marry:

her grandfather
her fathers brother
her mothers brother
her fathers brothers son
her mother's brother's son
her mother's sister's son
her father
her stepfather
her husband's father
her brother
her son
her daughter's husband
her brother's son
her sister's son
her grandson.

Individuals who will not be issued a marriage licence:

Insane persons
Those who are under the age of 15 years, or those who are under the age of 18 years and has not obtained the written consent of his or her guardian.

FeesEdit

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

ValidityEdit

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

InstructionsEdit

Please provide instructions on obtaining the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

This procedure provides you information on how a marriage is registered in Tonga.

Information which might helpEdit

Enter other informations which might help

External LinksEdit

Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act
Ministry of Justice

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.