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How to Correct a Marriage Certificate in Sri Lanka

Verified · 1 Nov 2026In person only

How you correct a marriage certificate depends on the type of marriage. For a general marriage, first ask the Additional District Registrar to check the duplicate register in case it is only a clerical slip. Other errors need an application to a District Court through a lawyer. For Kandyan and Muslim marriages, submit a request with an affidavit at the Divisional Secretariat for the place where the marriage was registered - to the Additional District Registrar for a Kandyan marriage, or the District Registrar for a Muslim marriage, who decides after a formal inquiry.

At a glance

Where
District Court of competent jurisdiction (general marriage), through a lawyer
+ 2 more places
Online?
In person only

Do you need this?

When you need it

  • There is a mistake in a marriage certificate or marriage register entry.
  • You need the corrected certificate for an NIC, passport, visa or other official use.

Who can apply

  • For a general marriage, the parties to the marriage submit the request to a District Court of competent jurisdiction through a lawyer.
  • For a Kandyan marriage, the request goes to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage registration belongs to.
  • For a Muslim marriage, the request goes to the District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage registration belongs to.

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 4 ready

Only if…

  • Your lawyer will tell you what the court needs.

  • RGD says to submit documents required to prove or verify the matters. Ask the Additional District Registrar or District Registrar what they need for your case.

Process at a glance

  1. Step 1
    Confirm which marriage law applies

    General (Marriage Registration Ordinance), Kandyan, or Muslim. The correction route is different for each.

  2. Step 2
    General marriage - check for a clerical error first

    If it is a clerical error, notify the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat for the area where the marriage was registered. They can check whether the duplicate of the marriage register is correct.

  3. Step 3
    General marriage - apply to a District Court

    To correct an error made when the marriage was registered, the parties to the marriage must submit the request to a District Court of competent jurisdiction, through a lawyer.

  4. Step 4
    Kandyan marriage

    Submit the request to correct the error to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage registration belongs to.

  5. Step 5
    Muslim marriage

    Submit the request to correct the error to the District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage registration belongs to.

  6. Step 6
    Get a new certified copy

    After the correction is made, get a new certified copy of the marriage certificate for your records and for updating your NIC or other documents.

  7. You're done

Step by step

  1. Step 01

    Confirm which marriage law applies

    General (Marriage Registration Ordinance), Kandyan, or Muslim. The correction route is different for each.

  2. Step 02

    General marriage - check for a clerical error first

    If it is a clerical error, notify the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat for the area where the marriage was registered. They can check whether the duplicate of the marriage register is correct.

  3. Step 03

    General marriage - apply to a District Court

    To correct an error made when the marriage was registered, the parties to the marriage must submit the request to a District Court of competent jurisdiction, through a lawyer. Hand in the following documents.

    • The marriage certificate
    • Any documents the court asks for

  4. Step 04

    Kandyan marriage

    Submit the request to correct the error to the Additional District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage registration belongs to. Hand in the following documents.

    • The marriage certificate
    • An affidavit stating the error and the correct information
    • Other documents needed to prove the facts

  5. Step 05

    Muslim marriage

    Submit the request to correct the error to the District Registrar of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage registration belongs to. Hand in the following documents.

    • The marriage certificate
    • An affidavit stating the error and the correct information
    • Other documents needed to verify the facts

  6. Step 06

    Get a new certified copy

    After the correction is made, get a new certified copy of the marriage certificate for your records and for updating your NIC or other documents.

Where to go

More detail

Contact the Registrar General's Department

  • Hotline: 1930
  • General lines: +94 11 2889488 / +94 11 2889489 / +94 11 2072017 / +94 11 2072018

Common problems

I am not sure if our marriage is general, Kandyan or Muslim.
Check the certificate and how it was registered. Ask the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of marriage before starting a court process.
I only need a new copy, not a correction.
Use the marriage certificate copy guide. A new copy will still show the same details until the register is corrected.
I need the corrected certificate for my NIC.
After the marriage record is corrected, get a new certified copy, then follow the guide on changing details on your NIC.

FAQ

Can I correct a general marriage certificate at the Divisional Secretariat?
Only a possible clerical slip can be checked there against the duplicate register. Other errors in a general marriage certificate must go to a District Court through a lawyer.
How are Kandyan marriage certificate errors fixed?
Apply to the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of marriage, with the certificate, an affidavit and supporting documents.
How are Muslim marriage certificate errors fixed?
Apply to the District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of marriage. After documents and a formal inquiry, the District Registrar may issue an order.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages1 Nov 2026

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