What you need to know as two foreigners getting married in Cape Town

If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely planning on getting married in Cape Town – yes please! I probably don’t need to convince you about the city’s beauty — you’ve already chosen it as the place for your elopement or wedding …

But it’s fun (as a Capetonian) to revel in just how incredible this city and country truly are. So, here goes. Did I mention our exquisite beaches? What about our extraordinary Cape Floral Kingdom? Or the Big Five just a short drive away. And then there’s the warmth of the people you’ll meet here. Add to that the fine dining scene, award-winning wine estates, whale watching, surfing in Muizenberg, hiking up Lion’s Head, and the breathtaking views from every corner of the city — and it’s no wonder couples from all over the world choose to get married in Cape Town.

Because of how much the tip of Africa has to offer, many foreigners getting married in Cape Town double-up – planning a wedding or elopement here and chasing it up with a honeymoon. And why the hell not?! If this is something you’re considering, you may want to have a look at a few tours on offer. Secret Cape Town also provides a wealth of information on what to do when in the city.

Whether you’re planning something grand or simple, the process is surprisingly simple for two foreigners getting married in Cape Town. You do, however, need an experienced marriage officer guiding you through the steps.

How to Get Married in Cape Town as Two Foreigners

Fortunately, it’s actually quite easy to marry two foreigners in South Africa. I mention Cape Town specifically because that’s where I’m based, but the legal requirements are the same across the country. Note: If one of you is a foreigner and the other a South African citizen, you need to fulfill different requirements. Read through this blog for more information.

Let me start with a question I get asked by foreigners fairly frequently. How long do we need to be in the country in order to get married? My answer: An afternoon. Although I wouldn’t recommend that because as we already discussed (in some length), Cape Town has SO many sights and experiences to delve into – coming in and out of the city would be a pity. I think I get asked this question frequently because there’s a lot of misinformation online about the duration you have to be in the country for and also having to notify certain parties of your intention to get married. Neither is true.

Let’s start with the Letter of Non-Impediment

When a foreigner gets married in South Africa, they need a Letter of Non-Impediment. This is a document from your government confirming that you are legally free to marry. It might be issued by your embassy, consulate, or your country’s equivalent of Home Affairs.

The details vary from country to country:

Germany: Issues a classic Letter of Non-Impediment. If you’re both German citizens, you’ll receive just one letter, which lists both partners. The document is in German, but contains an English translation within it.

United Kingdom: Does not issue a Letter of Non-Impediment. Instead, UK citizens can sign an affidavit confirming there’s no legal barrier to their marriage. In South Africa, affidavits can be done for free at a police station — simply bring a pen, fill in the form, and write a short declaration.

United States: Also uses an affidavit, which can be done at the US Consulate in Cape Town.

Because I’ve married couples from many countries, I can often tell you exactly what your country issues and provide you with some guidance in this regard. Importantly, your letter of non-impediment is only valid for 6 months from the date of issue so you don’t want to apply for it too early (I know, I know you’re excited!). You also don’t want to leave it too late as some countries have quite a rigmarole that you have to go through in order to obtain it. No one wants that stress in the lead up to their destination wedding!

Document Checklist Foreigners Get Married in Cape Town

Once the Letter of Non-Impediment (or affidavit) is sorted, everything else is straightforward:

Passports: Copies of each, linked to the issuing country of your non-impediment letter or affidavit.

Entry Stamps: Sent to me via WhatsApp after arrival.

Divorce Decrees: If either of you has been married before.

Translations: Any non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator (unless the translation is already included, as with the German example).

A letter from your notary confirming you have signed an ante-nuptial contract (if you have opted to do so – some info below).

Ante-nuptial Contract (Prenup)

In South Africa, couples can sign an ante-nuptial contract (often called a “pre-nup”), which decides how assets and liabilities are handled in the marriage. The default here is “in community of property” — meaning all assets and debts are shared. This can be risky, especially if one of you owns a business.

Many South Africans choose to sign an ante-nuptial contract to set their own rules. It must be done before the marriage, through a notary. If you decide to do this, your notary will give me a letter confirming the contract is signed — I don’t need to see the contract itself. Post-nuptial contracts are possible but costly and complicated, so I strongly recommend doing it beforehand if you want one.

Many foreign couples do not consider it necessary to sign an ante-nuptial as the laws in their countries govern how assets/liabilities will be divided in the event of separation and so there are safeguards built in – in other words, the default positions in other countries are often protective and fair, rather than old-fashioned and limiting (as is the case in South Africa). Still, if you’re unsure whether you need such a contract or not, I advise consulting with an expert so that you make an informed decision.

If you do decide to sign such a contract – I don’t need to see the actual contract but, rather, confirmation (in the form of a letter from your notary) that such a contract was entered into.

Registering Your Marriage in Your Home Country

If you live outside South Africa, you’ll probably want to register your marriage at home. Most countries require an unabridged marriage certificate, and many (especially in Europe) also require an apostille stamp for extra authentication.

UK & USA: Usually only need the unabridged certificate.

Most European countries: Require both the unabridged certificate and an apostille.

The apostille stamp is valid for six months, so plan your registration accordingly.

I offer a service of applying, collecting and couriering your unabridged marriage certificates to you. Another question I get asked often: Do we need to be in the country to apply for or collect our certificates? No. You can get married and hop straight onto the next flight out. (Don’t – go see the Garden Route; take a cobra on a drive along one of the most spectacular roads in the world; explore the Cape Winelands.)

Types of Weddings in Cape Town for Foreign Couples

Foreign couples come with all kinds of visions for their day. Here are the three most common:

1. The Classic Wedding

Big celebrations at wine estates, boutique hotels, or luxury venues with your nearest and dearest flying in. Here’s a look at some well-known Cape Town venues. Whatever venue you decide on, I will be there to handle the ceremony and legalities while your wedding planner coordinates the rest.

2. The Elopement

Just the two of you, or a few close friends and family, in a stunning outdoor location — beach, mountain, or nature reserve. We create a ceremony that’s personal to you and your story. The magic of an elopement is that you get to focus on each other and the commitment you’re making. And you get to have fun! Pop a bottle of bubbly, drink straight from the bottle. Don’t rush – there’s plenty of time without any of the obligation to say hi to Aunt Jude who you haven’t seen since you were 7. Exchange personal vows (or don’t).

Remember that it’s your day and your elopement and you get to decide how it unfolds (and also where it unfolds).

3. The Legal Signing with a Special Touch

For couples focused mainly on the paperwork but wanting a beautiful setting, I offer simple ceremonies at my home (close to the CBD) in Vredehoek. It’s intimate and efficient but still feels special.

Deciding Where to Get Married

Cape Town offers an endless choice of locations for your wedding day:

By the sea: Quiet beaches at sunset for barefoot vows.

In the mountains: Sweeping views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the 12 Apostles.

In nature: Botanical gardens or wild reserves.

Some couples double up their accommodation and ceremony venue, booking an Airbnb or guesthouse with beautiful views with the aim of holding the ceremony there. This not only gives you a stunning backdrop but also a built-in backup in case of bad weather.

Final Thoughts on Getting Married in Cape Town

Whether you’re planning a big do at an exquisite venue, an adventurous mountain elopement, or a simple signing with ocean views, getting married in Cape Town can be as straightforward or as lavish as you want it to be.

With the right preparation — and someone to guide you through the process — you can focus on what matters most: celebrating your love in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

On a personal note, I believe that a ceremony sets the tone of the whole wedding celebration. It’s important to connect with your celebrant as they usher you into one of the most meaningful decisions of your life. The right fit is important, even if you plan only to do paperwork. To get a sense of who I am and what I value, you can find out a little here. And then if you do think I’m the right person, contact me on marriageofficerlara@gmail.com