How to Register a Kandyan Marriage in Sri Lanka

Verified · 1 Nov 2026In person only

Only Sinhalese living in an area subject to Kandyan law can marry under the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, No. 44 of 1952. These areas include the Central, North Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, Kurunegala District and some divisions of Puttalam, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. Both of you must be at least 18. Hand the Notice of Kandyan Marriage (form C3) in duplicate to the Marriage Registrar of your division, who is the only person who can certify it. The marriage can be registered 14 days later in front of two witnesses. The notice costs Rs. 120 and registration Rs. 900.

At a glance

Fee: Rs. 120
See all 6 fees

Time: At least 14 days after giving notice

Where: Marriage Registrar of your division in a Kandyan law area (notice and registration)
+ 1 more place

Online?: In person only

Form: C3
+ 3 more

Do you need this?

When you need it

You are both Sinhalese, live in a Kandyan law area and want to marry under Kandyan law.
You want to know the difference between a Kandyan and a general marriage.

Who can apply

Only Sinhalese residing in an area subject to Kandyan law can marry under it. Others marry under the general Marriage Registration Ordinance or, if both are Muslim, the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act.
Both parties must have completed 18 years of age at their last birthday.
You must not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship under the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, No. 44 of 1952.
Neither of you can have a valid earlier marriage.
Residence: both lived in the division (or each in your own division) for the 10 days before the notice. If one of you wasn't in Sri Lanka, the other must have lived here for those 10 days; if neither was, one of you must have lived here for 4 days.

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 3 ready

Notice of Kandyan Marriage (form C3), completed in duplicate
Certified only by the Marriage Registrar of the division.
Copy of each party's birth certificate
To verify name and age.
Each party's National Identity Card
To verify name and age.

Process at a glance

Step 1
Check you can marry under Kandyan law
Only Sinhalese living in an area subject to Kandyan law can marry under it.
Step 2
Give notice to the Marriage Registrar
Fill in the Notice of Kandyan Marriage (form C3) (opens in a new tab) in duplicate and hand it to the Marriage Registrar of your division. Only the Marriage Registrar of that division is authorized to certify the Notice of Marriage. The fee is Rs. 120, paid in cash.
Step 3
Wait 14 days
The marriage can be registered once 14 days have passed since the notice. To marry sooner, request a special licence under section 19 (Rs. 120, paid in cash).
Step 4
Register the marriage
After all the above requirements are met, the Registrar registers the marriage in the presence of two witnesses, and the third copy of the marriage certificate is handed over to the bride. The fee is Rs. 900, paid in cash.
You're done

Step by step

Step 01
Check you can marry under Kandyan law
Only Sinhalese living in an area subject to Kandyan law can marry under it.
- Central Province
- North Central Province
- Uva Province
- Sabaragamuwa Province
- North Western Province: Kurunegala District, and Demala Hat Pattu in Puttalam District
- Northern Province: East and West Chinnacheddikulam and South Kilakkumulai Korale in Vavuniya District
- Eastern Province: Binthenna Pattu, Weegam Pattu and Panama Pattu in Batticaloa District, and Kadukkulama Pattu in Trincomalee District
Note
Only Marriage Registrars appointed for the above areas have the authority to register marriages under the Kandyan law.
Step 02
Give notice to the Marriage Registrar
Fill in the Notice of Kandyan Marriage (form C3) (opens in a new tab) in duplicate and hand it to the Marriage Registrar of your division. Only the Marriage Registrar of that division is authorized to certify the Notice of Marriage. The fee is Rs. 120, paid in cash. Hand in the following documents.
- The Notice of Kandyan Marriage, completed in duplicate
- A copy of each person's birth certificate, to check names and ages
- Each person's NIC
Note
If you live in different divisions, give notice to the Registrar of each division. The marriage can be registered after the notices are exchanged and the Registrar's certificate is issued (Rs. 120).
Step 03
Wait 14 days
The marriage can be registered once 14 days have passed since the notice. To marry sooner, request a special licence under section 19 (Rs. 120, paid in cash).
Step 04
Register the marriage
After all the above requirements are met, the Registrar registers the marriage in the presence of two witnesses, and the third copy of the marriage certificate is handed over to the bride. The fee is Rs. 900, paid in cash.
Note
If the marriage is to be registered at a place outside the Marriage Registrar's office, special permission must be obtained, and an application must be submitted with the prescribed fee (a home licence under section 24, Rs. 60). The Rs. 900 fee still applies.

Fees

Notice of marriage: Rs. 120
Registrar's certificate on a notice of marriage: Rs. 120
Solemnizing and registering a Kandyan marriage (at the office or outside it): Rs. 900
Special licence to marry within 14 days (section 19): Rs. 120
Home licence to register the marriage outside the Registrar's office (section 24): Rs. 60
Certified copy of a Kandyan marriage or divorce certificate: Rs. 120 (Rs. 250 with a search)

Where to go

Marriage Registrar of your division in a Kandyan law area (notice and registration)
Find your Divisional Secretariat with the DS Finder.
Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat

Forms

Common problems

One of us isn't Sinhalese, or we don't live in a Kandyan law area.

Marry under the general Marriage Registration Ordinance instead - see the marriage registration guide.

A Justice of the Peace or notary certified our notice.

For a Kandyan marriage, only the Marriage Registrar of the division can certify the notice. (For a general marriage, a JP, notary or minister of religion can.)

We want to marry in less than 14 days.

Request a special licence under section 19. The fee is Rs. 120, paid in cash.

There's a mistake on our Kandyan marriage certificate.

Submit a request with an affidavit to the Additional District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of marriage - see the guide on correcting a marriage certificate.

We are marrying abroad.

A Sri Lankan embassy or high commission can register a marriage under Kandyan law if at least one of you is Sri Lankan.

FAQ

Who can marry under Kandyan law?

Only Sinhalese residing in an area subject to Kandyan law, under the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, No. 44 of 1952.

How much does a Kandyan marriage cost?

Rs. 120 for the notice and Rs. 900 to solemnize and register the marriage, paid in cash. A special licence is Rs. 120, and a home licence to register outside the office is Rs. 60 more.

How long is the wait?

At least 14 days after the notice is handed over, unless you get a special licence.

How is a Kandyan marriage dissolved?

RGD publishes an application form for divorce under the Kandyan marriage law (C16). An appeal against a District Registrar's decision uses form C10 and costs Rs. 120.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages1 Nov 2026

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