Do you know that you can now have a lavish garden wedding officiated by officials from the office of the Attorney General of Kenya?
Well, Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has announced a series of new and enhanced marriage services aimed at providing couples with more personalised and convenient options as they formalise their unions.

This is to respond to a wide array of options for every couple to have an indelible wedding ceremony without compromising any legal requisite needed for marriage registration.

Among the standout offerings are garden weddings officiated by the Office of the Attorney General.

These new offerings are designed to cater to diverse preferences, emphasizing convenience, elegance, and personalized experiences.

“We are committed to ensuring that couples formalising their unions have access to services that are professional, efficient, and tailored to meet their expectations. These initiatives reflect our desire to be part of your special journey in creating lifelong memories,” said a statement by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor.

For garden weddings, the AG stated that couples can select and procure a beautiful, serene outdoor setting for their special day and invite the OAG to officiate the event.

The enhanced marriage services are designed to meet the diverse preferences of couples.

“Couples can now enjoy garden weddings officiated by the Office of the Attorney General at a prescribed fee. Couples can select and procure a beautiful, serene outdoor setting for their special day, ensuring a memorable experience while securing compliance with all legal requirements for marriage registration.”

In addition to the garden wedding service, the AG has introduced a VIP Marriage Room located in Nairobi. This premium offering is ideal for couples seeking a private, elegant, and expedited marriage ceremony. The VIP Marriage Room is tailored to deliver a high-quality experience at an upscale fee, featuring:

This, the AG says, will help offer an upscale, expedited marriage service for couples seeking an elegant and efficient wedding experience and shall be offered at an upscaled fee to reflect the premium features.

VIP marriage room

The premium features that come with the VIP marriage room include a private, well-appointed room designed for personalised ceremonies and an option for couples to decorate the room according to their preferences.

“We are excited to announce the launch of a VIP marriage room in Nairobi, which offers an upscale, expedited marriage service for couples seeking elegant and efficient wedding experience. This service shall be offered at an upscaled fee to reflect the premium features, including a private, well-appointed room designed for personalised ceremonies and the option for couples to decorate the room according to their preferences, allowing for a customised touch to their celebration,” Oduor stated.

“The VIP Marriage Room underscores our commitment to ensuring that all couples have the latitude to create meaningful memories on their wedding day while receiving professional and prompt service,” she added.

Civil marriages in Kenya are conducted by the Registrar of Marriages, Deputy County Commissioners, or Assistant County Commissioners.

Before you plan a civil marriage, you need to specify whether it is under a notice or a special license.

21-day notice

For the former, where most Kenyans fall, you will place a 21-day notice before the marriage can take place, and both parties must be present when filling the notice form.

On the big day, you will need to carry your valid identification cards or passports (a copy and the original), coloured passport photos, and a death certificate if widowed or divorce decree.

For those who will be applying for the special licence (unable to give a 21-day notice), if they are both Kenyans, they will need to have their valid identification cards or passports, birth certificates (in each case, a copy and original), and sufficient proof that they are not married.

Also, coloured passport photos and a documented reason to show why they can’t wait for 21 days, and both parties should appear before the registrar when applying.