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How to Register a Muslim Marriage in Sri Lanka

Verified · 1 Nov 2026In person only

A man and a woman professing Islam in Sri Lanka can marry under the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act. After the Nikah ceremony, the priest who officiated, the bride's Wali, the groom and two other male witnesses meet a Muslim Marriage Registrar appointed by the Registrar General's Department, and the marriage is registered. The groom and the Wali each sign a declaration under section 18(1) (form E2/3). Registration costs Rs. 900, plus Rs. 120 for each declaration. If the marriage wasn't registered at the time, the District Registrar (Divisional Secretary) can order the Muslim Registrar to re-register it as a delayed Muslim marriage.

At a glance

Fee
Rs. 120
See all 5 fees
Time
Registered when the parties meet the Muslim Marriage Registrar after the Nikah
Where
Muslim Marriage Registrar for the area
+ 2 more places
Online?
In person only
Form
E2/3
+ 2 more

Do you need this?

When you need it

  • You are both Muslim and are getting married (Nikah).
  • Your Nikah took place but the marriage was never registered.
  • A married man intends to contract a second or subsequent marriage.

Who can apply

  • A male and a female professing Islam in Sri Lanka can marry under the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act. If not, marry under the general Marriage Registration Ordinance.
  • Marriages are registered by Muslim Marriage Registrars appointed by the Registrar General's Department.
  • The bride's Wali makes a declaration. The form says this may be left out where the Quazi has expressly authorised the marriage under section 47(2), or where no Wali is needed under the Muslim law of the bride's sect.

Documents you need

Documents to bring

0 of 4 ready

  • Signed before the Muslim Marriage Registrar, with a Rs. 1 stamp. Asks for both parties' names, ages and residence, the bride's Wali, and any earlier marriage or divorce.

  • Signed before the Registrar, with a Rs. 1 stamp. If the Wali is not the bride's father or paternal grandfather, the bride signs to confirm it.

Only if…

  • Given to the Quazi for the area where he lives (section 24(1)), naming his existing wives and signed before two witnesses.

Process at a glance

  1. Step 1
    Hold the Nikah ceremony

    The Nikah ceremony is performed before the marriage is registered.

  2. Step 2
    If the groom is already married, give notice to the Quazi first

    Fill in the Notice of Intention to Contract a Second or Subsequent Marriage (form E8) and give it to the Quazi for the area where the groom lives.

  3. Step 3
    Meet the Muslim Marriage Registrar

    After the Nikah ceremony, the following people must meet the Muslim Marriage Registrar and have the marriage registered.

  4. Step 4
    Sign the declarations

    The groom and the Wali each sign a declaration under section 18(1) (form E2/3) before the Registrar. The fee is Rs. 120 for each.

  5. Step 5
    The marriage is registered

    The Registrar registers the marriage (Rs. 900). If a Registrar from one area is to register a marriage in another area, a letter of authority is needed (Rs. 4,000).

  6. Step 6
    If it wasn't registered at the time

    If the marriage could not be registered at that instance, the District Registrar (Divisional Secretary) of the relevant Divisional Secretariat has the authority to order the respective Muslim Registrar to re-register it as a delayed Muslim marriage.

  7. You're done

Step by step

  1. Step 01

    Hold the Nikah ceremony

    The Nikah ceremony is performed before the marriage is registered.

  2. Step 02

    If the groom is already married, give notice to the Quazi first

    Fill in the Notice of Intention to Contract a Second or Subsequent Marriage (form E8) and give it to the Quazi for the area where the groom lives.

  3. Step 03

    Meet the Muslim Marriage Registrar

    After the Nikah ceremony, the following people must meet the Muslim Marriage Registrar and have the marriage registered.

    • The priest who officiated the Nikah ceremony
    • The bride's Wali
    • The groom
    • Two other male witnesses

  4. Step 04

    Sign the declarations

    The groom and the Wali each sign a declaration under section 18(1) (form E2/3) before the Registrar. The fee is Rs. 120 for each.

  5. Step 05

    The marriage is registered

    The Registrar registers the marriage (Rs. 900). If a Registrar from one area is to register a marriage in another area, a letter of authority is needed (Rs. 4,000).

  6. Step 06

    If it wasn't registered at the time

    If the marriage could not be registered at that instance, the District Registrar (Divisional Secretary) of the relevant Divisional Secretariat has the authority to order the respective Muslim Registrar to re-register it as a delayed Muslim marriage.

Fees

Fees

Declaration of the bridegroom
Rs. 120
Declaration of the bride's Wali
Rs. 120
Registration of a marriage
Rs. 900
Letter authorizing a Registrar of one area to register a marriage in another area
Rs. 4,000
Certified copy of a marriage or divorce entry
Rs. 120 (Rs. 250 with a search)

Where to go

  • Muslim Marriage Registrar for the area

  • District Registrar (Divisional Secretary) at the Divisional Secretariat (delayed registration, corrections)

    Find your Divisional Secretariat with the DS Finder.

  • Quazi for the area where the groom lives (notice of a second or subsequent marriage)

Forms

Common problems

Only one of us is Muslim.
The Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act is for a man and a woman who both profess Islam. Otherwise marry under the general Marriage Registration Ordinance - see the marriage registration guide.
Our Nikah was never registered.
The District Registrar (Divisional Secretary) of the relevant Divisional Secretariat can order the respective Muslim Registrar to re-register it as a delayed Muslim marriage. Ask at the Divisional Secretariat.
There's a mistake on our Muslim marriage certificate.
Submit a request with the certificate and an affidavit to the District Registrar at the Divisional Secretariat for the place of marriage. After a formal inquiry, the District Registrar may issue an order - see the guide on correcting a marriage certificate.
We need a copy of the certificate.
Apply on form E41 (Rs. 120, or Rs. 250 with a search).
We are marrying abroad.
A Sri Lankan embassy or high commission can register a marriage under Muslim law if at least one of you is Sri Lankan; a Muslim Registrar must be present.

FAQ

Who must be present to register a Muslim marriage?
The priest who officiated the Nikah, the bride's Wali, the groom and two other male witnesses, before the Muslim Marriage Registrar.
How much does it cost?
Rs. 900 for registration and Rs. 120 each for the groom's and the Wali's declarations. A letter allowing a Registrar from another area to register the marriage is Rs. 4,000.
Is a Wali always needed?
The declaration form says the Wali's part may be left out where the Quazi has expressly authorised the marriage under section 47(2), or where no Wali is needed under the Muslim law of the bride's sect.
Is there a 14-day notice period, as for a general marriage?
No. RGD's process for a Muslim marriage has no Notice of Marriage or waiting period. The marriage is registered when the officiating priest, the bride's Wali, the groom and two male witnesses meet the Muslim Marriage Registrar after the Nikah. A man who is already married must first give notice to the Quazi on form E8.
What does a man who is already married have to do?
Give the Quazi for his area a notice of intention to contract a second or subsequent marriage (form E8) before the marriage.

Official sources

Checked against these official pages1 Nov 2026

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