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How to Get a Marriage Certificate Copy in Sri Lanka

Verified · 1 Nov 2026Partly online

Apply at the Registrar Division of a Divisional Secretariat with form B121. A certified copy costs Rs. 120 if you know the certificate number, registered division and registration date, or Rs. 250 if a search of records is needed. Records from 1960 to 2023 in the e-BMD database can be issued by any Divisional Secretariat. You can also order copies online at online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk (opens in a new tab), which takes about 5 working days.

At a glance

Fee
Rs. 120
See all 2 fees
Time
Same day at a Divisional Secretariat, or about 5 working days online
Where
Registrar Division of a Divisional Secretariat
+ 2 more places
Online?
Partly online
Form
B121

Do you need this?

When you need it

  • You need a certified copy of a marriage certificate, for example to add a husband's name to an NIC, for a visa, bank or land matter.
  • You have lost your copy of a marriage certificate.

Who can apply

  • Copies are issued for marriages registered in Sri Lanka.
  • If the record is in the e-BMD database (marriages from 1 January 1960 to 31 December 2023), any Divisional Secretariat can issue it. Otherwise, apply at the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage belongs to.
  • The Divisional Secretariat closest to you can check whether your record is in the database.
  • If no registration is found, you are told so on form B38.

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 4 ready

  • Get it from the District Registrar Division of any Divisional Secretariat, or download it from the RGD website.

  • Knowing these makes the copy cheaper (Rs. 120 instead of a search fee).

  • Pay at the Divisional Secretariat, or at the Bank of Ceylon Battaramulla branch to the Registrar General's account no. 7039827 and hand in the bank slip with the form. ATM and online payments are not accepted for this.

Only if…

Process at a glance

  1. Step 1
    Find the details you have

    The certificate number, registered division and registration date make it quicker and cheaper.

  2. Step 2
    Apply at a Divisional Secretariat

    Apply at the District Registrar Division of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage belongs to. If the record is in the e-BMD database (marriages registered from 1 January 1960 to 31 December 2023), any Divisional Secretariat near you can issue it, and can check whether your record is there.

  3. Step 3
    Collect or receive the copy

    If the marriage is registered, you get as many copies as you paid for. If you included a stamped envelope, the copy is posted to you. If the marriage is not registered, you are told so on form B38.

  4. Step 4
    Or order the copy online

    Apply at online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk (opens in a new tab) (how it works (opens in a new tab)). A payment link is sent to your email and phone within 2 days; pay by Visa or MasterCard. You can have the copy posted or collect it from the Divisional Secretariat. The whole process takes about 5 working days.

  5. You're done

Step by step

  1. Step 01

    Find the details you have

    The certificate number, registered division and registration date make it quicker and cheaper.

    • If you know all three: Rs. 120 per copy
    • If you don't know the certificate number and registration date, the office searches the records for up to two years: Rs. 250 for the first copy and Rs. 120 for each extra copy

  2. Step 02

    Apply at a Divisional Secretariat

    Apply at the District Registrar Division of the Divisional Secretariat that the place of marriage belongs to. If the record is in the e-BMD database (marriages registered from 1 January 1960 to 31 December 2023), any Divisional Secretariat near you can issue it, and can check whether your record is there. Hand in the following documents.

    • Form B121 (opens in a new tab), filled in. You can also get it from the District Registrar Division of any Divisional Secretariat.
    • The fee receipt: pay at the Divisional Secretariat, or at the Bank of Ceylon Battaramulla branch to the Registrar General's account no. 7039827 and hand in the bank slip. ATM and online payments are not accepted.
    • A stamped, self-addressed envelope, if you want the copy posted to you

  3. Step 03

    Collect or receive the copy

    If the marriage is registered, you get as many copies as you paid for. If you included a stamped envelope, the copy is posted to you. If the marriage is not registered, you are told so on form B38.

  4. Step 04

    Or order the copy online

    Apply at online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk (opens in a new tab) (how it works (opens in a new tab)). A payment link is sent to your email and phone within 2 days; pay by Visa or MasterCard. You can have the copy posted or collect it from the Divisional Secretariat. The whole process takes about 5 working days.

Fees

Fees

Certified copy or extract, when no search of registers is needed
Rs. 120

Per copy. Applies when you know the certificate number, registered division and registration date.

Certified copy or extract, when a search of registers (up to 2 years) is needed
Rs. 250

Each additional copy is Rs. 120.

Where to go

Forms

More detail

Contact the Registrar General's Department

  • Hotline: 1930
  • General lines: +94 11 2889488 / +94 11 2889489 / +94 11 2072017 / +94 11 2072018
  • Registrar Divisions at Divisional Secretariats: weekdays 8.30 am to 4.15 pm (cash counters close at 3 pm)

Common problems

The Divisional Secretariat says it cannot find my record.
Records from 1960 to 2023 are in the e-BMD database and can be issued anywhere. For older records, apply at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of marriage. If the marriage was never registered, you are told so on form B38.
There is a mistake in the marriage certificate.
A copy repeats the register. Use the guide on correcting a marriage certificate. The process differs for general, Kandyan and Muslim marriages.
We have not registered the marriage yet.
Get a certified copy only after the marriage is registered. See the guide on registering a marriage.

FAQ

How much does a marriage certificate copy cost in Sri Lanka?
Rs. 120 per copy if you know the certificate number, division and registration date. If the office must search the records, it is Rs. 250 for the first copy and Rs. 120 for each extra copy.
Can I get a marriage certificate online in Sri Lanka?
Yes, for certified copies. Apply at online.ebmd.rgd.gov.lk (opens in a new tab) and pay by card when the payment link arrives. It takes about 5 working days.
Where do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?
From the Registrar Division of the Divisional Secretariat for the place of marriage. If your record is in the e-BMD database (1960 to 2023), any Divisional Secretariat can issue it.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages1 Nov 2026

Independent, not official

HowToSriLanka.lk is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Sri Lanka.

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