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01 Home Affairs Documents

Letter of NonImpediment

Marrying abroad? You'll need proof that you're free to marry. We obtain your letter of non-impediment from Home Affairs on your behalf, the valid Head Office version, and can arrange the apostille so it's accepted overseas.

Handled for South Africans across Cape Town, Rivonia, and Pretoria.

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A South African couple preparing a letter of non-impediment to marry abroad
Free to Marry Abroad
02 What It Is

Proof that you are free to marry

A letter of non-impediment is an official Home Affairs document confirming that you are not currently married under South African law, so there is no legal obstacle to you marrying abroad. Foreign authorities ask for it to be sure you are free to marry before they will allow or register the marriage.

You may see it called by other names, they are all the same document: certificate of no impediment, single status letter, certificate of freedom to marry, or a declaration of non-impediment. It is issued on form DHA-1155 and is valid for six months from the date of issue.

Commonly needed for marriage in

  • Germany and the Netherlands
  • UAE and Qatar
  • Thailand, Vietnam and much of Europe
  • Marrying a foreign national abroad
  • Registering a foreign marriage or spouse visa

The mistake that costs people their wedding date: a letter issued by a regional Home Affairs office is not valid abroad. Only a letter from the Home Affairs Head Office in Pretoria can be used internationally. We make sure you get the correct Head Office version the first time.

03 Why Use Us

We get the version that actually works

A wedding abroad has a fixed date, and this document has a slow, easily-mistaken process. We handle it correctly and follow it through, so it does not become the thing that delays your marriage.

The valid Head Office letter

We obtain the letter from the Home Affairs Head Office, the only version accepted abroad, so it is not rejected by the foreign authority.

Applied for correctly

We complete and submit the DHA-1155 application accurately, including the supporting documents, so it is not sent back for an error.

We follow it through

Processing can take up to six months. We follow up so your application does not sit forgotten, and we advise starting well before your wedding date.

Ready for use abroad

Most countries also need the letter legalised. As registered DIRCO agents, we arrange the apostille or attestation so it is accepted the first time.

Planning a wedding abroad? Start your letter early.

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04 How We Work

Our Process

  1. Consultation & Details

    We confirm which country you are marrying in and what it requires, and gather your identity and marital-status details.

  2. Application Prepared

    We complete the DHA-1155 application and check the supporting documents before anything is submitted.

  3. Submission & Follow-Up

    We submit to Home Affairs Head Office and follow the application through, keeping you updated on progress.

  4. Collection & Legalisation

    We collect the issued letter and, if you need it, arrange the apostille or attestation for use abroad.

Correct version. Applied properly. Followed through.

05 Get Started

Let us obtain your letter of non-impediment

Tell us where and when you are marrying, and we will handle the rest, from the Home Affairs application to collection, and the legalisation if you are using it abroad. Offices in Cape Town, Rivonia and Pretoria.

Speak to a Consultant

OVW Management Group is not a government agency and does not issue documents. We provide application, submission and collection support. Home Affairs fees and timelines are set by the Department of Home Affairs, and processing times depend on their workload. Please confirm current details with us or with Home Affairs.