All refugees and asylum seekers of all nationalities in Ethiopia can access and register vital events, such as birth and death certificates and marriage and divorce registration.
Civil registration is the important act of recording and documenting vital events in a person’s life (including birth, marriage, divorce and death) and is, therefore, a fundamental function of governments.
In Ethiopia, RRS is responsible for the civil registration of refugees and asylum-seekers on behalf of the Immigration and Nationality Service (INS).
Why do I need documentation?
Civil registration provides individuals with legal identity and civil status.
Registration of marriage and divorce is essential. Proof of marriage is key in solving matters of inheritance, management of estates and custody of children upon the demise of a spouse.
In addition, proof of marriage can assist in acquiring certain rights for children; for instance, children born of refugees and nationals may acquire citizenship by proving that one of their parents is a national.
Further, marriage certificates are often required for family reunification with spouses abroad. Divorce certificates may also be needed to solve child custody, inheritance and other related disputes.
Do I need to pay for civil documents?
No, vital events registration and issuance of certificates of birth, marriage, divorce or death are free of charge for refugees.
Where can I register vital events?
RRS offers vital events registration in all refugee camps, in Zonal Offices, and RRS offices in Addis Ababa.
Refugees in Addis Ababa must contact the RRS office located in the Enkulal Fabrica area.
What do I need to bring to register a marriage?
- Two witnesses on the side of the husband and two witnesses on the side of the wife should be present when registering marriage.
- The witnesses must be two people who attended the marriage ceremony and can attest that the marriage was concluded.
- Each witness is required to present a valid identity document.
- The spouses shall present evidence, which proves that they are refugees or asylum-seekers (e.g., refugee ID, Proof of Registration, travel document, pass permit, birth certificate).
- Proof of non-married status
- Two recent photographs (3 cm x 4 cm size) each.
Can I obtain an official marriage certificate if I concluded religious or traditional marriage in my country of origin?
Yes. However, evidence in the form of written documentation of the religious marriage will need to be presented.
For traditional marriages, written documentation is mostly not available.
In such cases, witnesses (two for each spouse) who attended the marriage ceremony and can attest that the marriage was concluded, need to be presented.
If the witnesses are not available, then a new marriage can be concluded.
Marriage celebrated abroad in accordance with the law of the Place of celebration shall be valid in Ethiopia so long as it does not contravene public morals.
Do both ex-husband and ex-wife need to appear before an officer of civil status to register divorce and obtain a divorce certificate?
No. The divorce shall be registered by the divorcing partners or by either of them or by a person to whom a power of attorney is given by the divorcing partners for registration purposes.
The divorce can be recorded from a copy of the court judgment of the divorce.
