The Law of Marriage Act

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THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
CHAPTER 29
THE LAW OF MARRIAGE ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
REVISED EDITION OF 2019
This Edition of the Law of Marriage Act, Chapter 29, has been revised up
to and including 30th November, 2019 and is printed under the authority of
section 4 of the Laws Revision Act, Chapter 4.
Dodoma, ADELARDUS L. KILANGI
30th November, 2019 Attorney General
PRINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, DAR ES SALAAM - TANZANIA

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CHAPTER 29
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THE LAW OF MARRIAGE ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section Title
PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
(a) General
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
(b) Appointments
3. Appointment of Registrar-General, Deputy and Assistant
Registrars-General.
4. Appointment of registration areas.
5. Appointment of district registrars.
6. Appointment of registrars.
7. Appointment of registration officers.
8. Appointment of registrars for foreign countries.
PART II
MARRIAGE
(a) The Nature of Marriage
9. Meaning of marriage.
10. Kinds of marriage.
11. Conversion of marriages.
12. Duration of marriage.
(b) Restrictions on Marriage
13. Minimum age.

ge
9. Meaning of marriage.
10. Kinds of marriage.
11. Conversion of marriages.
12. Duration of marriage.
(b) Restrictions on Marriage
13. Minimum age.

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14. Prohibited relationships. 15. Subsisting marriage. 16. No marriage save of free will. 17. Requirement of consent. (c) Preliminaries to Marriage
18. Notice of intention to marry. 19. Publication of notice of intention. 20. Notice of objection. 21. Procedure on notice of objection. 22. Determination of objection. 23. Power of Registrar-General to dispense with requirement of notice. 24. Lodging of objections with Registrar-General. (d) Contracting of Marriage
25. Manner of contracting marriage. 26. Time for contracting marriage. 27. Witnesses. 28. Marriage to be public. 29. Procedure for marriages in civil form. 30. Marriages according to religious rites and licensing of ministers. 31. Power of Registrar-General to authorise marriages in places not
otherwise permissible. 32. Duty of kadhis and registration officers to attend marriages. 33. Issue of marriage certificate or transmission of statement of
particulars. 34. Marriages in Tanzanian Embassies, etc abroad. 35. Issue of certificates of no impediment. 36. Recognition of marriages contracted abroad. 37. Recognition of marriages contracted in Embassies etc in Tanzania.

f certificates of no impediment. 36. Recognition of marriages contracted abroad. 37. Recognition of marriages contracted in Embassies etc in Tanzania.

(e) Void Ceremonies, Voidable Marriages and Legitimacy
38. Void ceremonies. 39. Voidable marriages. 40. Voidable marriage valid until annulled. 41. Matters not affecting validity.

Marriages and Legitimacy
38. Void ceremonies. 39. Voidable marriages. 40. Voidable marriage valid until annulled. 41. Matters not affecting validity.

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PART III
REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGES, ANNULMENTS AND
DIVORCES AND EVIDENCE OF MARRIAGE
42. Maintenance of marriage registers. 43. Duty to register marriages and procedure to be followed. 44. Registration of subsisting unregistered marriages. 45. Registration of marriages contracted abroad. 46. Returns to be sent to Registrar-General. 47. Completed registers to be sent to Registrar-General. 48. Maintenance of index, searches, inspection and copies. 49. Maintenance of register of annulments and divorces. 50. Copies of decrees of annulment and divorce to be sent to Registrar-
General. 51. Registration of foreign annulments and divorces. 52. Endorsement of marriage registers. 53. Correction of errors. 54. Power of Minister to restrict provisions relating to registration. 55. Evidence of marriage. PART IV
PROPERTY, RIGHTS, LIABILITIES AND STATUS
56. Rights and liabilities of married women. 57. Equality between wives. 58. Separate property of husband and wife. 59. Special provisions relating to matrimonial home. 60. Presumptions as to property acquired during marriage. 61. Gifts between husband and wife. 62.

59. Special provisions relating to matrimonial home. 60. Presumptions as to property acquired during marriage. 61. Gifts between husband and wife. 62.

No liability for antecedent debts of spouse. 63. Duty to maintain spouse. 64. Presumption of wife’s authority to pledge her husband’s credit. 65. Husband and wife and the law of tort. 66. No right of spouse to inflict corporal punishment. 67. Agreements to live apart. 68. Status of widows.

. 65. Husband and wife and the law of tort. 66. No right of spouse to inflict corporal punishment. 67. Agreements to live apart. 68. Status of widows.

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PART V
MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS OF ACTION
69. Right to damages for breach of promise of marriage. 70. Limitation of actions for breach of promise. 71. Right to return of gifts. 72. Right to damages for adultery. 73. Right to damages for enticement. 74. Assessment of damages for adultery or enticement. 75. Jurisdiction of primary courts. PART VI
MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS
(a) Jurisdiction, Procedure and General Provisions
76. Jurisdiction of courts. 77. Right to invoke jurisdiction. 78. Transfer of proceedings. 79. Power of magistrate to state case. 80. Appeals. 81. Form of proceedings. 82. Alternative reliefs. 83. Cross-prayers for relief. 84. Petitions to be heard in open court. 85. Connivance. 86. Condonation. 87. Power of court to dismiss proceedings on account of non-
disclosure. 88. Mutual decrees not to be granted. 89. Abolition of decree nisi. 90. Costs in matrimonial proceedings. 91. Recognition of decrees of foreign courts. 92. Recognition of extra-territorial divorces. 93. Special provisions regulating proceedings in primary courts. (b) Declaratory Decrees
94. Power of court to grant declaratory decrees. 95.

ivorces. 93. Special provisions regulating proceedings in primary courts. (b) Declaratory Decrees
94. Power of court to grant declaratory decrees. 95.

Effect of declaratory decrees.

Effect of declaratory decrees.

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(c) Annulment
96. Power of court to annul avoidable marriage. 97. Parties to petition for annulment. 98. Effect of decree of annulment. (d) Separation and Divorce
99. Right to petition for separation or divorce. 100. Restriction on petition for divorce during first two years of
marriage. 101. Requirement of prior reference to Board. (e) Marriage Conciliation Boards
102. Conciliation Boards. 103. Composition and jurisdiction of Boards. 104. Proceedings of Boards. (f) Petitions and Determination
105. Parties to petitions. 106. Contents of petitions. 107. Evidence that marriage has broken down. 108. Duties of court on petition for separation or divorce. 109. Power of court on claim to damages for adultery. 110. Power of court to grant decree of separation or divorce. 111. Effect of decree of separation. 112. Effect of decree of divorce. 113. Power of court to set aside or vary decrees of separation. (g) Division of Assets and Maintenance as between
Husband and Wife
114. Power of court to order division of matrimonial assets. 115. Power of court to order maintenance for spouse. 116. Assessment of maintenance. 117.

114. Power of court to order division of matrimonial assets. 115. Power of court to order maintenance for spouse. 116. Assessment of maintenance. 117.

Power of court to order security for maintenance. 118. Compounding maintenance. 119. Duration of orders for maintenance. 120. Right to maintenance to cease on remarriage.

der security for maintenance. 118. Compounding maintenance. 119. Duration of orders for maintenance. 120. Right to maintenance to cease on remarriage.

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121. Power of court to vary orders for maintenance. 122. Power of court to vary agreements for maintenance. 123. Maintenance payable under order of court to be inalienable. 124. Recovery of arrears of maintenance and enforcement of
maintenance orders. (h) Custody and Maintenance of Children
125. Power of court to make order for custody. 126. Orders subject to conditions. 127. Declaratory order as to unfitness of parent to have custody. 128. Custody of children deemed legitimate. 129. Duty to maintain children. 130. Power of court to order maintenance for children. 131. Power of court to order security for maintenance. 132. Duration of orders for custody and maintenance. 133. Power of court to vary orders for custody or maintenance. 134. Power of court to vary agreement for custody or maintenance. 135. Recovery of arrears of maintenance. 136. Court to have regard to advice of welfare officers. 137. Power of court to restrain taking of child out of Tanzania. (i) Other Reliefs
138. Power of court to set aside and prevent dispositions intended to
defeat claims to maintenance. 139. Injunctions against molestation. 140.

Reliefs
138. Power of court to set aside and prevent dispositions intended to
defeat claims to maintenance. 139. Injunctions against molestation. 140.

No proceeding to compel cohabitation. (j) Reciprocal Arrangements for Enforcement of Maintenance
Orders
141. Reciprocal arrangements with other countries for enforcement
of maintenance orders. 142. Registration of orders made in other countries. 143. Enforcement of registered orders. 144. Transmission of orders made in Tanzania.

ance orders. 142. Registration of orders made in other countries. 143. Enforcement of registered orders. 144. Transmission of orders made in Tanzania.

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PART VII
OFFENCES
145. False statement in notice of intention to marry or in notice of
objection.
146. Failure to attend before Board.
147. Giving false testimony before Board.
148. Minimum age.
149. Prohibited relationship.
150. Prohibited ceremony.
151. Coercion or fraud.
152. Polyandry and similar offences.
153. Ceremony performed by unauthorised official.
154. Absence of witness.
155. Irregular marriages.
156. Meaning of participation.
157. Failing to apply for registration.
158. Unlawful attempt to prevent marriage.
PART VIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
159. Presumption of validity of registered marriage.
160. Presumption of marriage.
161. Presumption of death.
162. Rules and regulations.
163. Repeal of certain laws.
164. Amendment of certain laws.
165. Saving.
166. Omitted.
167. Translation of Act into Kiswahili.
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SCHEDULES
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in laws.
165. Saving.
166. Omitted.
167. Translation of Act into Kiswahili.
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SCHEDULES
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The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
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CHAPTER 29
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THE LAW OF MARRIAGE ACT
An Act to regulate the law relating to marriage, personal and
property rights as between husband and wife, separation,
divorce and other matrimonial reliefs and other related
matters.
[12th February, 1971 — s. 166
and 1st May, 1971 — s. 1]
Acts Nos.
5 of 1971
23 of 1973
15 of 1980
9 of 1996
21 of 2009
G.N. No.
109 of 1971
PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
(a) General
Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Law of
Marriage Act.
Interpretation
Act No.
21 of 2009
s.162
Cap.13
2.-(1) In this Act, except where the context
otherwise requires-
“adopted child” means a child adopted in
accordance with the provisions of the Law
of the Child Act, and references in this Act
to adoption shall be construed accordingly;
Board” means a Marriage Conciliation Board
established under the provisions of section
102;

es in this Act
to adoption shall be construed accordingly;
Board” means a Marriage Conciliation Board
established under the provisions of section
102;

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E.

2019]
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“child” means a person under the age of eighteen;
“court” means any court having jurisdiction under
section 76;
“decree” includes a decree of a foreign court which
is recognised as effective under section 91;
“dowry” means any payment of stock, goods,
money or other property made or promised
in consideration of an intended marriage;
“kadhi” means a Muslim priest or preacher or a
leader of a Muslim community who has
been licensed under this Act to celebrate
marriages in Islamic form;
“marriage” has the meaning attributed to it in
section 9, and any reference to a marriage
means a marriage whether contracted
before or after the commencement of this
Act and whether contracted in Tanzania or
elsewhere;
“matrimonial home” means the building or part of
a building in which the husband and wife
ordinarily reside together and includes-
(a) where a building and its curtilage are
occupied for residential purposes only,
that curtilage and any outbuildings
thereon; and
(b) where a building is on or occupied in
conjunction with agricultural land, any
land allocated by the husband or the
wife, as the case may be, to his or her
spouse for her or his exclusive use;
“matrimonial proceeding” means any proceeding
instituted under Parts II and VI of this Act
or any comparable proceeding brought
under any written law repealed by this Act,
in any court;
“minimum age” in relation to marriage, has the
meaning attributed to it in section 13;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for legal
affairs;

t;
“minimum age” in relation to marriage, has the
meaning attributed to it in section 13;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for legal
affairs;

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“minister of religion” means any minister, priest or
other person who is empowered to celebrate
marriages by the laws of any religion
according to the rites of which marriages
may be celebrated under the provisions of
this Act, and includes a kadhi;
“party” in relation to a marriage or intended or
purported marriage, means the husband or
the wife or the intended or purported
husband or wife, as the case may be;
“prohibited relationship” has the meaning
attributed to it in section 14;
“religion” means, in the case of any system of
religious belief which is divided into
denominations, sects or school, any such
denomination, sect or school and includes
any non-denominational body or other
association of a religious nature;
“specified religion” means Christianity or a
religion specified in an order made by the
Minister under the provisions of section 25;
Cap.287
Cap.288 “ward” means a ward established under the Local
Government (District Authorities) Act or
the Local Government (Urban Authorities)
Act.

Cap.287
Cap.288 “ward” means a ward established under the Local
Government (District Authorities) Act or
the Local Government (Urban Authorities)
Act.

(2) Reference in this Act to a monogamous
marriage includes a marriage originally
polygamous or potentially polygamous the
character of which has been converted to
monogamous by declaration made under section 11
and a reference to a polygamous or potentially
polygamous marriage shall be given the
corresponding interpretation. (b) Appointments
Appointment of
Registrar-General,
Deputy and
Assistant
3.-(1) The President shall appoint a public
officer to be Registrar-General of Marriages and
Divorces for the purposes of this Act.

puty and
Assistant
3.-(1) The President shall appoint a public
officer to be Registrar-General of Marriages and
Divorces for the purposes of this Act.

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Registrars-
General
G.N. No. 109 of 1971
(2) There shall be a Deputy Registrar-
General and as many Assistant Registrars-General
of Marriages and Divorces as the Minister shall
consider necessary. Appointment of
registration areas 4. The Minister may, by notice in the
Gazette, appoint any area of Tanzania to be a
registration area for the purposes of this Act. Appointment of
district
registrars
5.-(1) There shall be a district registrar for
each registration area and as many assistant district
registrars as the Minister shall consider necessary. (2) In the absence or during the illness or
incapacity of the district registrar, the senior
assistant district registrar for the time being
stationed in the registration area shall act as a
registrar. (3) District registrars and assistant district
registrars may be appointed individually by name
or collectively as the holders of specified public
offices. (4) The Registrar-General may, by writing
under his hand, delegate any of his functions under
this Act to a district registrar. Appointment of
registrars 6.

e Registrar-General may, by writing
under his hand, delegate any of his functions under
this Act to a district registrar. Appointment of
registrars 6.

Every district registrar and every kadhi
and minister of religion who is licensed under
section 30 shall be a registrar for the purposes of
this Act. Appointment of
registration
officers
7.-(1) There shall be registration officers for
such areas as the Minister may decide to perform
duties as may be prescribed and generally to assist
district registrars in the administration of the
provisions of this Act. (2) Registration officers may be appointed
individually by name or collectively as the holders
of specific public offices.

the
provisions of this Act. (2) Registration officers may be appointed
individually by name or collectively as the holders
of specific public offices.

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Appointment of
registrars
for foreign
countries
8.-(1) The Minister may, by notice in the
Gazette, appoint any member of the diplomatic
staff of the United Republic in any country to
which this section applies either individually by
name or as the holder of a public office, to be the
registrar for the purposes of this Act in respect of
that country. (2) The Minister shall, by notice in the
Gazette, designate the countries to which this
section applies. (3) This section shall apply to any country
which has notified the Government of the United
Republic that it does not disapprove of the
contracting of marriages at the Embassy, High
Commission or consulate of the United Republic in
that country. PART II
MARRIAGE
(a) The Nature of Marriage
Meaning of
marriage 9.-(1) Marriage means the voluntary union
of a man and a woman, intended to last for their
joint lives. (2) A monogamous marriage is a union
between one man and one woman to the exclusion
of all others. (3) A polygamous marriage is a union in
which the husband may, during the subsistence of
the marriage, be married to or marry another
woman or women.

(3) A polygamous marriage is a union in
which the husband may, during the subsistence of
the marriage, be married to or marry another
woman or women.

Kinds of marriage 10.-(1) Marriages shall be of two kinds,
that is to say-
(a) those that are monogamous or are
intended to be monogamous; and
(b) those that are polygamous or are
potentially polygamous.

inds,
that is to say-
(a) those that are monogamous or are
intended to be monogamous; and
(b) those that are polygamous or are
potentially polygamous.

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(2) A marriage contracted in Tanzania
whether contracted before or after the
commencement of this Act, shall-
(a) if contracted in Islamic form or
according to rites recognised by
customary law in Tanzania, be
presumed, unless the contrary is proved,
to be polygamous or potentially
polygamous; and
(b) in any other case, be presumed to be
monogamous, unless the contrary is
proved. Conversion of
marriages 11.-(1) A marriage contracted in Tanzania
may be converted-
(a) from monogamous to potentially
polygamous; or
(b) if the husband has one wife only, from
potentially polygamous to
monogamous,
by a declaration made by the husband and the wife,
that they each, of their own free will, agree to the
conversion. (2) A declaration under subsection (1) shall
be made in the presence of a judge, a resident
magistrate or a district magistrate and shall be
recorded in writing, signed by the husband and the
wife and the person before whom it is made, at the
time of its making. (3) The judge or magistrate before whom a
declaration is made under this section shall
forthwith transmit a copy thereof to the Registrar-
General.

g. (3) The judge or magistrate before whom a
declaration is made under this section shall
forthwith transmit a copy thereof to the Registrar-
General.

(4) No marriage shall be converted from
monogamous to potentially polygamous or from
potentially polygamous to monogamous otherwise
than by a declaration made under this section. (5) No marriage between two Christians
which was celebrated in a church in Christian form

ous otherwise
than by a declaration made under this section. (5) No marriage between two Christians
which was celebrated in a church in Christian form

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may, for so long as both the parties continue to
profess the Christian faith, be converted from
monogamous to polygamous and the provisions of
this section shall not apply to any such marriage
notwithstanding that the marriage was preceded or
succeeded by a ceremony of marriage between the
same parties in civil form or any other form. Duration of
marriage 12. A marriage, whether contracted in
Mainland Tanzania or elsewhere, shall for all
purposes of the law of Mainland Tanzania subsist
until determined-
(a) by the death of either party thereto;
(b) by a decree declaring that the death of
either party thereto is presumed;
(c) by a decree of annulment;
(d) by a decree of divorce; or
(e) by an extra-judicial divorce outside
Tanzania which is recognized in
Tanzania under the provisions of
section 92. (b) Restrictions on Marriage
Minimum age 13.-(1) No person shall marry who, being
male, has not attained the apparent age of eighteen
years or, being female, has not attained the
apparent age of fifteen years.

shall marry who, being
male, has not attained the apparent age of eighteen
years or, being female, has not attained the
apparent age of fifteen years.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (1), the court shall, in its discretion,
have power, on application, to give leave for a
marriage where the parties are, or either of them is,
below the ages prescribed in subsection (1) if-
(a) each party has attained the age of
fourteen years; and
(b) the court is satisfied that there are
special circumstances which make the
proposed marriage desirable.

as attained the age of
fourteen years; and
(b) the court is satisfied that there are
special circumstances which make the
proposed marriage desirable.

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(3) A person who has not attained the
apparent age of eighteen years or fifteen years, as
the case may be, and in respect of whom the leave
of the court has not been obtained under subsection
(2), shall be said to be below the minimum age for
marriage. Prohibited
relationships 14.-(1) No person shall marry his or her
grandparent, parent, child or grandchild, sister or
brother, great-aunt or great-uncle, aunt or uncle,
niece or nephew, as the case may be. (2) No person shall marry the grandparent
or parent, child or grandchild of his or her spouse
or former spouse. (3) No person shall marry the former
spouse of his or her grandparent or parent, child or
grandchild. (4) No person shall marry a person whom
he or she has adopted or by whom he or she was
adopted. (5) For the purposes of this section,
relationship of the half blood shall be as much an
impediment as relationship of the full blood and it
shall be immaterial whether a person was born
legitimate or illegitimate.

lood shall be as much an
impediment as relationship of the full blood and it
shall be immaterial whether a person was born
legitimate or illegitimate.

(6) For the purposes of this section
grandparent, grandchild, great-child, great-uncle
and great-aunt include, as the case may be,
grandparent, grandchild, great-uncle and great-aunt
of any degree whatsoever. (7) Persons who are, by this section,
forbidden to marry shall be said to be within the
prohibited relationships. Subsisting
marriage 15.-(1) No man, while married by a
monogamous marriage, shall contract another
marriage. (2) No man, while married by a
polygamous or potentially polygamous marriage

while married by a
monogamous marriage, shall contract another
marriage. (2) No man, while married by a
polygamous or potentially polygamous marriage

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shall contract a marriage in any monogamous form
with any other person. (3) No woman who is married shall, while
that marriage subsists, contract another marriage. (4) Nothing in this section shall be
construed as preventing the parties to a marriage to
go through another ceremony of marriage:
Provided that, where parties who are
already married go through another ceremony of
marriage, such subsequent ceremony shall not,
subject to the provisions of subsection (5) of
section 11, affect the status or the legal
consequences of their first marriage. No marriage
save of
free will
16.-(1) No marriage shall be contracted
except with the consent, freely and voluntarily
given by each of the parties thereto.

rriage
save of
free will
16.-(1) No marriage shall be contracted
except with the consent, freely and voluntarily
given by each of the parties thereto.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, consent
shall not be held to have been freely or voluntarily
given if the party who purported to give it-
(a) was influenced by coercion or fraud;
(b) was mistaken as to the nature of the
ceremony; or
(c) was suffering from any mental disorder
or mental defect, whether permanent or
temporary, or was intoxicated, so as not
fully to appreciate the nature of the
ceremony,
and references in this Act to “consent” or “consent
freely given” in relation to a party to a marriage or
an intended marriage shall be construed as
meaning consent freely given and voluntarily. Requirement of
consent
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.163
17.-(1) A female who has not attained the
apparent age of eighteen years shall be required,
before marrying, to obtain the consent-
(a) of her father;
(b) if her father is dead, of her mother; or

arent age of eighteen years shall be required,
before marrying, to obtain the consent-
(a) of her father;
(b) if her father is dead, of her mother; or

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(c) if both her father and mother are dead,
of the person who is her guardian. (2) Where the court is satisfied that the
consent of any person to a proposed marriage is
being withheld unreasonably or that it is
impracticable to obtain such consent, the court
may, on application, give consent and such consent
shall have the same effect as if it had been given by
the person whose consent is required by subsection
(1). (3) Where a marriage is contracted in
Islamic form or in accordance with the rites of any
specified religion or in accordance with the
customary law rites, it shall be lawful for the kadhi,
minister of religion or the registrar, as the case may
be, to refuse to perform the ceremony if any
requirement of the relevant religion or person other
than a person mentioned in subsection (1) has not
been complied with:
Provided that, nothing in this subsection
shall be construed as empowering the kadhi,
minister of religion or registrar to dispense with
any requirement of subsection (1).

g in this subsection
shall be construed as empowering the kadhi,
minister of religion or registrar to dispense with
any requirement of subsection (1).

(c) Preliminaries to Marriage
Notice of intention
to marry 18.-(1) Subject to the provisions of section
23, where a man and a woman desire to marry, they
shall, at least twenty-one days before the day when
they propose to marry, give notice of their intention
to a registrar or a registration officer. (2) A notice given under this section shall
contain-
(a) the names and ages of the parties and
the places where they reside;
(b) the names of the parents of the parties
and the places where they reside;
(c) a statement that the parties are not
within the prohibited relationships;

he names of the parents of the parties
and the places where they reside;
(c) a statement that the parties are not
within the prohibited relationships;

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(d) where the intended wife is below the
apparent age of eighteen years, the
name of the person, if any, giving
consent to the marriage or the reason
why no such consent is being given;
(e) a statement in relation to each party that
he or she is a bachelor or spinster,
married, a widower or widow or
divorced, as the case may be and where
either party is divorced, particulars of
the divorce;
(f) a statement that the marriage is intended
to be of monogamous or polygamous or
potentially polygamous character, as the
case may be;
(g) where the marriage is to be
polygamous, the names of the wives of
the husband;
(h) the date when and the place where the
parties desire to marry; and
(i) where both the parties are Christians
and it is intended to celebrate the
marriage in a church in Christian form,
a declaration by the intended husband
that he is not already married to another
woman,
and shall be signed by both parties and, where the
consent of the court to the intended marriage has
been obtained, the notice shall be accompanied by
a certified copy of the order giving that consent. Publication of
notice of
intention
19.

rriage has
been obtained, the notice shall be accompanied by
a certified copy of the order giving that consent. Publication of
notice of
intention
19.

It shall be the duty of a registrar or
registration officer who receives a notice of
intention to cause the intention to be made known
locally by such means as may be prescribed and,
until any regulations are made in that behalf, by
such means as are customarily used to make known
matters of public importance and by any other
means he may consider desirable.

ade in that behalf, by
such means as are customarily used to make known
matters of public importance and by any other
means he may consider desirable.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
20
Notice of
objection 20.-(1) Any person may give notice of
objection to the registrar or registration officer to
whom the notice of intention was given, on the
ground that he or she is aware of facts which, under
the provisions of this Act, constitute an impediment
to the intended marriage. (2) Where a man married under a
polygamous marriage has given notice of an
intended marriage, his wife or, if he has more than
one wife, any of his wives may give notice of
objection to the registrar or registration officer to
whom the notice of intention was given, on the
ground that—
(a) having regard to the husband’s means,
the taking of another wife is likely to
result in hardship to his existing wife or
wives and children, if any; or
(b) the intended wife is of notoriously bad
character or is suffering from an
infectious or otherwise communicable
disease or is likely to introduce grave
discord into the household. (3) A person who has given notice of
objection may at any time withdraw it, but any
such withdrawal shall be in writing, signed by him
or her.

sehold. (3) A person who has given notice of
objection may at any time withdraw it, but any
such withdrawal shall be in writing, signed by him
or her.

Procedure on
notice of
objection
21.-(1) It shall be the duty of a registrar or
registration officer who receives a notice of
objection to transmit it, together with the notice of
intention-
(a) where the notice of objection was given
under subsection (1) of section 20, to
the court; and
(b) where the notice of objection was given
under subsection (2) of section 20, to
the Board. (2) A registrar or registration officer who
receives a notice of objection shall not celebrate or

en
under subsection (2) of section 20, to
the Board. (2) A registrar or registration officer who
receives a notice of objection shall not celebrate or

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
21
participate in the intended marriage and shall take
all lawful action within his power to prevent it
from being contracted, pending notification that the
objection has been withdrawn or dismissed. Determination of
objection 22.—(1) On receipt of a notice of objection
and notice of intention transmitted to it under
section 21, the court or the Board, as the case may
be, shall require the attendance of the parties to the
intended marriage and of the objector and shall
hear them and their witnesses, if any, and any other
persons the court or the Board may think necessary
to hear for a just determination of the objection,
and shall make findings on the facts alleged in the
notice of objection and shall either, by order, direct
that the intended marriage is not to be contracted or
shall dismiss the objection. (2) The court or the Board, as the case may
be, shall send a certified copy of its decision to the
registrar or registration officer to whom the notice
of intention was given.

d, as the case may
be, shall send a certified copy of its decision to the
registrar or registration officer to whom the notice
of intention was given.

Power of
Registrar-
General to
dispense with
requirement of
notice
23.—(1) The Registrar-General may,
subject to the provisions of section 24 and by
licence in the prescribed form, dispense with the
giving of notice, as required by section 18 on proof
to his satisfaction—
(a) that the parties are not within the
prohibited relationships;
(b) that there is no impediment of a
subsisting marriage;
(c) that the parties are not below the
minimum age of marriage;
(d) that any consent required under section
17 has been obtained; and
(e) that there is some good and sufficient
reason for dispensing with the giving of
notice.

y consent required under section
17 has been obtained; and
(e) that there is some good and sufficient
reason for dispensing with the giving of
notice.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
22
(2) The proof required by subsection (1)
shall be in the form of a statutory declaration but
the Registrar-General may require such further or
other evidence as he may deem necessary. Lodging of
objections
with Registrar-
General
24. Any person who has reason to believe
that a marriage is intended and that there are good
grounds for believing that a valid objection could
be made to such marriage under section 20, may
give notice of objection to the Registrar-General
and where such notice is given, the Registrar-
General shall not, unless such notice has been
withdrawn, exercise his power under section 23 to
dispense with the giving of the notice.

he Registrar-
General shall not, unless such notice has been
withdrawn, exercise his power under section 23 to
dispense with the giving of the notice.

(d) Contracting of Marriage
Manner of
contracting
marriage
25.—(1) A marriage may, subject to the
provisions of this Act, be contracted in Tanzania—
(a) in civil form;
(b) in civil form or, where both the parties
belong to a specified religion, according
to the rites of that religion;
(c) where the intended husband is a
Muslim, in civil form or in Islamic
form; or
(d) where the parties belong to a
community or to communities which
follow customary law, in civil form or
according to the rites of the customary
law. (2) The Minister shall have power, by order
published in the Gazette, to authorise the
celebration of marriages according to the rites of
the religions specified in such order, and may at
any time and from time to time vary any such order
by the addition thereto or the deletion therefrom of
the name of any religion but so that the deletion of
the name of a religion shall be without prejudice to

ddition thereto or the deletion therefrom of
the name of any religion but so that the deletion of
the name of a religion shall be without prejudice to

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
23
the validity of any marriage contracted under the
rites thereof prior to the publication of such order. (3) For the purposes of this Act—
(a) a marriage in Islamic form means a
marriage contracted in the manner
recognised by Islam or by any school or
sect of that faith; and
(b) a marriage in Christian form means a
marriage celebrated in a church in the
manner recognised by the Christian
faith or by any denomination or sect of
that faith. Time for
contracting
marriage
26. Subject to the provisions of section 23,
at least twenty one days shall elapse between the
giving of notice of intention to marry and the
contracting of the intended marriage. Witnesses 27.-(1) Every marriage shall be contracted
in the presence of at least two witnesses. (2) No person shall be competent to act as a
witness to a marriage who is below the age of
eighteen years or who is unable to understand the
nature of the ceremony by reason of mental illness
or intoxication or who does not understand the
language in which the ceremony is conducted,
unless the whole of the ceremony is interpreted into
a language which he or she can understand.

stand the
language in which the ceremony is conducted,
unless the whole of the ceremony is interpreted into
a language which he or she can understand.

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby
declared that the district registrar in whose
presence a marriage in civil form is contracted shall
not be competent to be a witness to the marriage
for purposes of this section or of section 38 or
section 154. Marriage
to be
public
28.-(1) Any member of the public may
attend a marriage in civil form so far as the
accommodation in the office of the district registrar
may reasonably permit.

ny member of the public may
attend a marriage in civil form so far as the
accommodation in the office of the district registrar
may reasonably permit.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
24
(2) Any person who is a follower of the
religion according to the rites of which a marriage
is contracted may attend that marriage. (3) Any member of the community to
which the parties or either of them belong may
attend a marriage contracted in Islamic form or
according to rites recognised by customary law. Procedure for
marriages
in civil form
29.

m belong may
attend a marriage contracted in Islamic form or
according to rites recognised by customary law. Procedure for
marriages
in civil form
29.

A marriage may be contracted in civil
form in the presence of the district registrar in his
office or in such other place as may have been
authorised by licence issued under section 31, in
the following manner-
(a) the intended husband shall say to the
intended wife words to the following
effect either in English or Kiswahili-
“I (giving his name) take you (giving
her name) to be my wife”
and the intended wife shall say to the
intended husband words to the following
effect either in English or Kiswahili-
“I (giving her name) take you
(giving his name) to be my
husband”;
(b) the marriage shall thereupon be
complete but the parties shall be at
liberty to add any additional rite;
(c) the parties may, if they so wish, request
the district registrar to make an entry in
the register whether the marriage shall
be monogamous or polygamous, and
upon such request being made and upon
satisfying himself that both the parties
have freely and voluntarily made the
request, the district registrar shall
comply therewith. Marriages
according to
religious
30.-(1) A marriage may be celebrated
according to the rites of a specified religion in any

ar shall
comply therewith. Marriages
according to
religious
30.-(1) A marriage may be celebrated
according to the rites of a specified religion in any

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
25
rites and
licensing of
ministers
place habitually used as a place of public worship
or a place of gathering by the followers of that
religion, by a minister of that religion who has been
licensed in that behalf by the Registrar-General:
Provided that, no minister of religion shall
be compelled to celebrate any marriage. (2) The Registrar-General may, on the
application of the proper authority of any specified
religion and by notice published in the Gazette,
license any minister of that religion to celebrate
marriage and may at any time, in like manner,
cancel any such licence. (3) A marriage may be celebrated in
Islamic form by any kadhi or by a registration
officer who is a Muslim. (4) A Muslim priest or preacher may, on
application made by him, be licensed as a kadhi
either generally or for any specified community. R.L. Cap.109 (5) Every licence granted under section 7 of
the Marriage Ordinance and not cancelled shall be
deemed to be a licence granted under this section. Power of
Registrar-
General to
authorise
marriages
in places not
otherwise
permissible
31.

shall be
deemed to be a licence granted under this section. Power of
Registrar-
General to
authorise
marriages
in places not
otherwise
permissible
31.

The Registrar-General may, if he is
satisfied that there is some good and sufficient
reason, by licence in the prescribed form,
authorise-
(a) the contracting of a marriage in civil
form, in a place other than the office of
the district registrar; or
(b) the celebration of a marriage according
to the rites of a specified religion, in a
place other than one habitually used as
place of public worship or gathering. Duty of kadhis
and registration
officers to
attend marriages
32. It shall be the duty-
(a) of every kadhi or registration officer to
whom notice has been given that a
marriage is intended to be contracted in
Islamic form; and

e the duty-
(a) of every kadhi or registration officer to
whom notice has been given that a
marriage is intended to be contracted in
Islamic form; and

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
26
(b) of every registration officer to whom
notice has been given that a marriage is
intended to be contracted according to
rites recognised by customary law, so
far as is reasonably practicable, to
attend that marriage. Issue of
marriage
certificate
or
transmission of
statement
of
particulars
33.-(1) Where a marriage has been
contracted in the presence of a district registrar or
kadhi or celebrated by a minister of religion, the
district registrar, kadhi or minister, as the case may
be, shall forthwith complete in duplicate a marriage
certificate in the prescribed form and sign the same
and cause it to be signed by the parties and by two
witnesses to the marriage and shall hand one part to
the parties and retain the other.

gn the same
and cause it to be signed by the parties and by two
witnesses to the marriage and shall hand one part to
the parties and retain the other.

Cap.4
s.8 (2) Where a marriage has been contracted
in the presence of a registration officer, he shall
forthwith complete a statement of particulars
relating to the marriage in the prescribed form and
shall sign the same and cause it to be signed by the
parties and by two witnesses and shall send the
same to the district registrar, if the marriage was
contracted according to rites recognised by
customary law, or to the kadhi, if the marriage was
contracted in Islamic form. (3) On receipt of a statement of particulars
from a registration officer under subsection (2), the
district registrar or kadhi, after registering the
marriage in accordance with section 43, shall issue
a marriage certificate in duplicate and retain one
part and send the other to the registration officer
for transmission to the parties. Marriages in
Tanzanian
Embassies, etc.,
abroad
34.-(1) A marriage may be contracted in the
presence of the registrar in an Embassy, High
Commission or consulate of the United Republic in
any country which has been designated by the
Minister in accordance with subsection (2) of

ssy, High
Commission or consulate of the United Republic in
any country which has been designated by the
Minister in accordance with subsection (2) of

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
27
section 8, subject to the following conditions, that
is to say, that the registrar shall be satisfied-
(a) that at least one of the parties is a
citizen of the United Republic;
(b) that each party has capacity to marry
according to the provisions of this Act;
(c) that in the case of the intended wife who
is a citizen of the United Republic or is
domiciled in Tanzania, any consent
required by section 17 has been
obtained;
(d) where either party is not domiciled in
Tanzania, that the proposed marriage, if
contracted, will be regarded as valid in
the country where that party is
domiciled;
(e) that notice of the proposed marriage has
been given at least twenty one days
previously in accordance with the
requirements of section 18 and that no
notice to objection has been received;
and
(f) where a party is not a citizen of the
United Republic and the law of the
country of which he or she is a citizen
provides for the issue of certificates of
no impediment that such certificate has
been issued in respect of that party.

f which he or she is a citizen
provides for the issue of certificates of
no impediment that such certificate has
been issued in respect of that party.

(2) The procedure for the contracting of
marriage in a Tanzania Embassy, High
Commission or consulate shall be similar to that for
the contracting of civil marriages under this Act,
and the provisions of this Act relating to the issue
of marriage certificates and to the registration of
marriages shall apply as if the registrar appointed
for that foreign country were a district registrar and
the marriage shall be valid for the purposes of this
Act accordingly.

f the registrar appointed
for that foreign country were a district registrar and
the marriage shall be valid for the purposes of this
Act accordingly.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
28
(3) References in this Act or any other
written law to a marriage contracted in Tanzania
shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include
references to a marriage contracted in accordance
with this section. Issue of
certificates
of no impediment
35.-(1) Where a citizen of the United
Republic domiciled in Tanzania desires to contract
marriage in any foreign country in accordance with
the law of that country and the law of that country
requires him or her to produce a certificate that no
legal impediment to the intended marriage is
known to the responsible authority in Tanzania, he
or she may apply to the Registrar-General for the
issue of a certificate. (2) Where a registrar has been appointed
under this Act for the country in which the
marriage is intended to be contracted, the
application shall be sent to the registrar for
transmission to the Registrar-General. (3) On receipt of an application under this
section, the Registrar-General shall cause all such
inquiries to be made as are practicable and, if no
impediment is shown, he shall issue the required
certificate. Recognition of
marriages
contracted
abroad
36.

to be made as are practicable and, if no
impediment is shown, he shall issue the required
certificate. Recognition of
marriages
contracted
abroad
36.

A marriage contracted outside
Tanzania, other than a marriage contracted under
section 34, shall be recognised as valid for all
purposes of the law of Tanzania, if-
(a) it was contracted in a form required or
permitted by the law of the country
where it was contracted;
(b) each of the parties had, at the time of
the marriage, capacity to marry under
the law of the country of his or her
domicile;
(c) both parties freely and voluntarily
consented to the marriage or, where

ge, capacity to marry under
the law of the country of his or her
domicile;
(c) both parties freely and voluntarily
consented to the marriage or, where

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
29
either party did not freely and
voluntarily consent to the marriage, the
parties have freely and voluntarily
consummated the marriage; and
(d) where either of the parties is a citizen of
the United Republic or is domiciled in
Mainland Tanzania, both parties had
capacity to marry according to this Act. Recognition of
marriages
contracted in
Embassies. etc., in
Tanzania
37.

n
Mainland Tanzania, both parties had
capacity to marry according to this Act. Recognition of
marriages
contracted in
Embassies. etc., in
Tanzania
37.

A marriage contracted in any Embassy,
High Commission or consulate in Tanzania of a
country designated under subsection (2) of section
8 shall be recognised as valid for all purposes of
the law of Tanzania, if-
(a) it was contracted in a form required or
permitted by the law of the country
whose Embassy, High Commission or
consulate it is or in a form permitted
under this Act;
(b) each of the parties had, at the time of
the marriage, capacity to marry under
the law of the country of his or her
domicile;
(c) both parties freely and voluntarily
consented to the marriage or, where
either party did not freely and
voluntarily consent to the marriage, the
parties have freely and voluntarily
consummated the marriage; and
(d) where either of the parties is a citizen of
the United Republic or in domiciled in
Tanzania, both parties had capacity to
marry under this Act. (e) Void Ceremonies, Voidable Marriages and Legitimacy
Void ceremonies 38.-(1) A ceremony purporting to be a
marriage shall be a nullity-
(a) save where leave has been granted
under subsection (2) of section 13, if

monies 38.-(1) A ceremony purporting to be a
marriage shall be a nullity-
(a) save where leave has been granted
under subsection (2) of section 13, if

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
30
either party thereto is below the
minimum age for marriage;
(b) if the parties thereto are within the
prohibited relationships;
(c) if either party is incompetent to marry
by reason of an existing marriage;
(d) if the court or a Board, in the exercise of
the power conferred by section 22, has
directed that the intended marriage is
not to be contracted;
(e) the consent of either party was not
freely and voluntarily given thereto;
(f) unless both parties are present in person
at the ceremony;
(g) if both parties knowingly and wilfully
acquiesce in a person officiating thereat
who is not lawfully entitled to do so;
(h) unless two competent witnesses are
present thereat;
(i) if the intended marriage is expressed to
be of a temporary nature or for a limited
period; or
(j) if the wife was a widow or a divorced
woman prior to the marriage, and her
previous marriage having been
contracted in Islamic form, she
contracts the other marriage during the
customary period of iddat.

the marriage, and her
previous marriage having been
contracted in Islamic form, she
contracts the other marriage during the
customary period of iddat.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (f) of
subsection (1), a marriage shall not be void by
reason only of the absence of a party if the
witnesses before whom the party gave his or her
consent are present at the ceremony. Voidable
marriages
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.164
39. Subject to the provisions of sections 97
and 98, a marriage shall be voidable if-
(a) at the time of the marriage-
(i) either party was incapable of
consummating it;

provisions of sections 97
and 98, a marriage shall be voidable if-
(a) at the time of the marriage-
(i) either party was incapable of
consummating it;

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
31
(ii) either party was subject to
recurrent attacks of insanity or
epilepsy;
(iii) either party was suffering from
venereal disease in a
communicable form; or
(iv) the wife was pregnant by some
person other than the husband;
(b) the marriage has not been consummated
owing to the willful refusal of one party
to consummate it; or
(c) the person had not attained the age of
eighteen years and consent to the
marriage as required by section 17 had
not been given and the court sees good
and sufficient reason to set the marriage
aside. Voidable
marriage
valid until
annulled
40. A voidable marriage is for all purposes
a valid marriage until it is annulled by a decree of
the court. Matters not
affecting
validity
41.

nnulled
40. A voidable marriage is for all purposes
a valid marriage until it is annulled by a decree of
the court. Matters not
affecting
validity
41.

A marriage which in all other respects
complies with the express requirements of this Act
shall be valid for all purposes, notwithstanding—
(a) any non-compliance with any custom
relating to dowry or the giving or
exchanging of gifts before or after
marriage;
(b) failure to give notice of intention to
marry as required by this Act;
(c) notice of objection to the intended
marriage having been given and not
discharged;
(d) the fact that any person officiating
thereat was not lawfully entitled to do
so, unless that fact was known to both
parties at the time of the ceremony;
(e) any procedural irregularity; or
(f) failure to register the marriage.

so, unless that fact was known to both
parties at the time of the ceremony;
(e) any procedural irregularity; or
(f) failure to register the marriage.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
32
PART III
REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGES, ANNULMENTS AND
DIVORCES AND EVIDENCE OF MARRIAGE
Maintenance of
marriage
registers
42.-(1) Every registrar shall maintain a
register of marriages in the prescribed form:
Provided that, it shall be permissible for
two or more ministers of religion who are licensed
under section 30 to maintain one register if that
register is kept in a place of worship or such other
place as may be approved by the Registrar-General. (2) The Registrar-General shall maintain a
register of foreign marriages. Duty to register
marriages and
procedure to be
followed
43.-(1) Where a marriage is contracted in
civil form, it shall be the duty of the district
registrar to register it forthwith. (2) Where a marriage is celebrated by a
minister of religion according to the rites of a
specified religion, it shall be his duty forthwith to
register it. (3) Where a marriage is contracted in
Islamic form in the presence of a kadhi, it shall be
his duty forthwith to register it.

orthwith to
register it. (3) Where a marriage is contracted in
Islamic form in the presence of a kadhi, it shall be
his duty forthwith to register it.

(4) Where a marriage is contracted in the
presence of a registration officer in Islamic form,
no kadhi being present, or according to customary
law rites, it shall be the duty of the registration
officer to take necessary steps to register the
marriage with the district registrar or a kadhi. (5) When a marriage is contracted
according to customary law rites and there is no
registration officer present, it shall be the duty of
the parties to apply for registration, within thirty
days after the marriage, to the registrar or
registration officer to whom they gave notice of
intention to marry.

pply for registration, within thirty
days after the marriage, to the registrar or
registration officer to whom they gave notice of
intention to marry.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
33
(6) A registration officer to whom an
application is made under subsection (5) shall
satisfy himself that, the marriage was validly
contracted and shall then proceed in the manner
provided for in subsection (2) of section 33. (7) A kadhi or district registrar who
receives a statement of particulars sent to him
under section 33, or under subsection (5) or (6)
shall forthwith register the marriage:
Provided that, before registering any such
marriage, the kadhi or district registrar may make
such further inquiries as he thinks necessary to
satisfy himself that the marriage was validly
contracted and that the facts set out in the statement
of particulars are correct. (8) A marriage may be registered under
subsection (7) notwithstanding that application for
registration was not made within the prescribed
time.

rect. (8) A marriage may be registered under
subsection (7) notwithstanding that application for
registration was not made within the prescribed
time.

Registration of
subsisting
unregistered
marriages
44.-(1) Either party to a subsisting marriage
contracted before the commencement of this Act,
which has not been registered under the provisions
of any written law heretofore in force, may apply to
the District Registrar, a kadhi or to a registration
officer for the registration of that marriage:
Provided that, such application shall not be
made to a registration officer in respect of a
marriage contracted otherwise than under
customary law. (2) On receipt of an application under this
section, the District Registrar, a kadhi or a
registration officer shall make such inquiries as he
may think necessary to satisfy himself that the
alleged marriage was validly contracted. (3) Where application has been made to a
registration officer, and he has satisfied himself as
aforesaid, he shall send a statement of particulars
relating to the marriage to the District Registrar,

ation officer, and he has satisfied himself as
aforesaid, he shall send a statement of particulars
relating to the marriage to the District Registrar,

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
34
with a certificate that he is satisfied that the
marriage was validly contracted under customary
law. (4) Where application has been made to a
District Registrar or a kadhi and he has satisfied
himself as aforesaid or where a District Registrar
has received a statement of particulars from a
registration officer, with his certificate, he shall,
subject to the provisions of subsection (5), register
the marriage. (5) Where application for registration has
been made by one party to an alleged marriage and
the other party-
(a) denies that there was such a marriage;
or
(b) cannot be found and the marriage is
disputed by any member of his or her
immediate family,
the District Registrar or a kadhi shall not register
the alleged marriage unless there is produced to
him a declaratory decree of the court that the
alleged marriage was validly contracted.

not register
the alleged marriage unless there is produced to
him a declaratory decree of the court that the
alleged marriage was validly contracted.

Registration of
marriages
contracted
abroad
45.-(1) Where any person who is a citizen
of the United Republic has contracted a marriage
outside Tanzania otherwise than under the
provisions of section 34, he or she or his or her
spouse may apply to the Registrar-General for the
registration of that marriage under this Act and the
Registrar-General, on being satisfied that the
marriage is one that should be recognised as valid
under the provisions of section 36, shall register the
marriage. (2) Where any such marriage is contracted
in a country for which a registrar has been
appointed under section 8, an application under
subsection (1) shall be sent to the Registrar-
General through such registrar.

ch a registrar has been
appointed under section 8, an application under
subsection (1) shall be sent to the Registrar-
General through such registrar.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
35
(3) The Registrar-General may accept as
evidence of a marriage contracted in any country
outside Tanzania, a marriage certificate issued in
that country or such other evidence as he may
consider sufficient. (4) Where any such certificate is not in
English or Kiswahili it shall be accompanied by a
translation into English or Kiswahili certified to be
correct by a consular officer or notary public or
such other person as the Registrar-General may, in
any particular case, approve. Returns to be sent
to Registrar-
General
46. Within thirty days after the last day of
every month, every registrar shall send to the
Registrar-General a copy, certified to be a true
copy of all entries made during that month in the
register of marriages in his custody:
Provided that, where two or more ministers
of religion are maintaining one register, any of
them may certify the copy required by this section. Completed
registers to be sent
to Registrar-
General
47.-(1) Where any register of marriages
maintained under this Act has been completed, the
registrar shall forthwith send it to the Registrar-
General. R.L.Cap.

here any register of marriages
maintained under this Act has been completed, the
registrar shall forthwith send it to the Registrar-
General. R.L.Cap.

109 (2) Every person who, immediately before
the coming into force of this Act, was a registrar of
marriages under the Marriage Ordinance shall, as
soon as practicable thereafter, send all registers of
marriages and divorces in his possession to the
Registrar-General:
Provided that, the Registrar-General may
permit the use of any such registers for registration
under this Act until new registers in the form
prescribed under this Act are available. Maintenance of
index, searches,
inspection
and copies
48.-(1) The Registrar-General shall
maintain an index indicating the names of all
parties to registered marriages.

ex, searches,
inspection
and copies
48.-(1) The Registrar-General shall
maintain an index indicating the names of all
parties to registered marriages.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
36
(2) Any person may require a search to be
made in the index and shall be entitled to inspect-
(a) the entry in the marriage register
relating to any marriage, if that register
has been sent to the Registrar-General
under section 47; or
(b) in any other case, the certified copy of
that entry sent to the Registrar-General
under section 46,
or to receive a copy of that entry or of the certified
copy of that entry, as the case may be, certified to
be a true copy. (3) For the purposes of this section,
references to any entry in a register of marriages
include references to an entry in a register of
marriages kept under any written law heretofore in
force. Maintenance of
register of
annulments and
divorces
49. The Registrar-General shall maintain a
register of annulments and divorces and shall
forthwith enter therein the prescribed particulars of
all decrees of annulment and divorce sent to him
under section 50 and of all decrees of annulment
and divorce for the registration which application is
made under section 51. Copies of decrees
of annulment and
divorce to be sent
to Registrar-
General
50.

vorce for the registration which application is
made under section 51. Copies of decrees
of annulment and
divorce to be sent
to Registrar-
General
50.

Every court which grants a decree of
annulment or divorce shall forthwith send one copy
of the decree, certified to be a true copy, to the
Registrar-General, for registration. Registration of
foreign annulments
and
divorces
51.-(1) Where a marriage which was
contracted in Tanzania is annulled or dissolved by
the decree of a court outside Tanzania, either of the
parties may apply to the Registrar-General for the
registration of such decree and the Registrar-
General shall, upon being satisfied that the decree
is one which should be recognised as effective
under the provisions of section 91, register the
decree.

al shall, upon being satisfied that the decree
is one which should be recognised as effective
under the provisions of section 91, register the
decree.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
37
(2) Any application under this section shall
be accompanied by an office copy of the decree
and, where that decree is not in English or
Kiswahili, by a translation thereof into English or
Kiswahili certified to be correct by a consular
officer or notary public or such other person as the
Registrar-General may, in any particular case,
approve, and by a statutory declaration as to the
facts which gave the court jurisdiction. Endorsement of
marriage
registers
52.-(1) Where a marriage has been
converted from monogamous to potentially
polygamous or from potentially polygamous to
monogamous, the Registrar-General shall, on
receipt of a copy of the declaration made under
section 11, cause the entry in the register of
marriages relating to the marriage to be endorsed
with a note to that effect and with such reference as
will enable the declaration to be traced.

r of
marriages relating to the marriage to be endorsed
with a note to that effect and with such reference as
will enable the declaration to be traced.

(2) Where a decree of annulment or
divorce, wherever granted, has determined a
marriage which was contracted in Tanzania and
which has been registered under the provisions of
this Act or any written law heretofore in force, the
Registrar-General shall, on registering that decree,
cause the entry in the register of marriages relating
to that marriage to be marked with the word
“Determined” and a reference to the proceedings in
which the decree was granted. Correction of
errors 53.-(1) The Registrar-General or any
registrar on the directions of the Registrar-General,
may correct any error in any register or in any
marriage certificate. (2) Every such correction shall, be made in
such a way so as not to render illegible any writing
thereon and every such correction shall be
authenticated by the signature of the Registrar-
General or of the registrar, as the case may be, and
the date of the correction shall be endorsed thereon.

nticated by the signature of the Registrar-
General or of the registrar, as the case may be, and
the date of the correction shall be endorsed thereon.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
38
(3) Where application is made for the
correction of a marriage certificate, the Registrar-
General or the registrar, as the case may be, shall
require the production of the certificate issued to
the parties so that it may similarly be corrected, but
may dispense with such production where he is
satisfied that it is impossible or impracticable. Power of Minister
to restrict
provisions
relating to
registration
54. The Minister shall, by notice published
in the Gazette, have power to suspend the
provisions of this Act relating to registration of
marriages contracted according to rites recognised
by customary law in relation to any registration
area, to be specified in such notice, where he
considers that adequate facilities for such
registration do not exist. Evidence of
marriage 55.

tration
area, to be specified in such notice, where he
considers that adequate facilities for such
registration do not exist. Evidence of
marriage 55.

The following documents shall be
admissible in evidence without proof in any court
or before any person having power under any
written law to receive evidence, as being prima
facie evidence of the facts recorded therein—
(a) a marriage certificate issued under this
Act or any law in force before the
commencement of this Act;
(b) a copy of such marriage certificate
purporting to be certified as a true copy
by the registrar having custody of the
original;
(c) an entry in any register of marriages
kept under this Act or any written law
heretofore in force;
(d) a copy of an entry in any such register
purporting to be a true copy so certified
by the Registrar-General or the registrar
having custody of the register;
(e) a copy of an entry in a return sent to the
Registrar-General in accordance with
section 46, certified by the Registrar-
General to be a true copy of such entry;

an entry in a return sent to the
Registrar-General in accordance with
section 46, certified by the Registrar-
General to be a true copy of such entry;

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
39
(f) an entry made, prior to the coming into
force of this Act, in any register of
marriages maintained by the proper
authority of the “Baraza Kuu la
Waislamu wa Tanzania” (BAKWATA),
the Shia Ith’nasheri, the Shia Imami
Ismaili, the Bohora or any other
community or a copy of any such entry
certified by a proper officer of that
authority to be a true copy; and
(g) in relation to a marriage celebrated in a
place of worship at a time when the
official registration of such marriages
was not required, an entry in any
register of marriages kept by the proper
authority of the religion concerned or a
copy of any such entry sealed with the
seal, if any, of that authority and
certified under the hand of the registrar
or other proper officer of that authority
to be a true copy. PART IV
PROPERTY, RIGHTS, LIABILITIES AND STATUS
Rights and
liabilities
of married women
56. A married woman shall have the same
right as has a man to acquire, hold and dispose of
property, whether movable or immovable, and the
same right to contract, the same right to sue and the
same liability to be sued in contract or in tort or
otherwise. Equality between
wives 57.

nd the
same right to contract, the same right to sue and the
same liability to be sued in contract or in tort or
otherwise. Equality between
wives 57.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby
declared that, subject to the express provisions of
any written law, where a man has two or more
wives they shall as such, enjoy equal rights, be
subject to equal liabilities and have equal status in
law.

y written law, where a man has two or more
wives they shall as such, enjoy equal rights, be
subject to equal liabilities and have equal status in
law.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
40
Separate property
of husband and
wife
58. Subject to the provisions of section 59
and to any agreement to the contrary that the
parties may make, a marriage shall not operate to
change the ownership of any property to which
either the husband or the wife may be entitled or to
prevent either the husband or the wife from
acquiring, holding and disposing of any property. Special
provisions
relating to
matrimonial home
Cap.4
s.8
59.-(1) Where any estate or interest in the
matrimonial home is owned by the husband or the
wife, he or she shall not, while the marriage
subsists and without the consent of the other
spouse, alienate it by way of sale, gift, lease,
mortgage or otherwise, and the other spouse shall
be deemed to have an interest therein capable of
being protected by caveat, caution or otherwise
under any law for the time being in force relating to
the registration of title to land or of deeds.

f
being protected by caveat, caution or otherwise
under any law for the time being in force relating to
the registration of title to land or of deeds.

(2) Where any person alienates his or her
estate or interest in the matrimonial home in
contravention of subsection (1), the estate or
interest so transferred or created shall be subject to
the right of the other spouse to continue to reside in
the matrimonial home until—
(a) the marriage is dissolved; or
(b) the court, on a decree for separation or
an order for maintenance otherwise
orders,
unless the person acquiring the estate or interest
can satisfy the court that he had no notice of the
interest of the other spouse and could not by the
exercise of reasonable diligence have become
aware of it. (3) Where any estate or interest in the
matrimonial home is owned by the husband or by
the wife and that husband or wife, deserts his or her
spouse, the deserted spouse shall not be liable to be
evicted from the matrimonial home by or at the
instance of the husband or the wife, as the case

spouse, the deserted spouse shall not be liable to be
evicted from the matrimonial home by or at the
instance of the husband or the wife, as the case

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
41
may be, or any person claiming through or under
him or her, except-
(a) on the sale of the estate or interest by
the court in execution of a decree
against the husband or wife, as the case
may be; or
(b) by a trustee in bankruptcy of the
husband or wife, as the case may be. (4) Nothing in this section shall be
construed as affecting any of the provisions of any
law relating to rent, conferring upon a party to a
marriage the right of continuing to reside in any
premises of which her or his spouse or former
spouse is or was a tenant. Presumptions as to
property
acquired
during
marriage
60. Where during the subsistence of a
marriage, any property is acquired-
(a) in the name of the husband or of the
wife, there shall be a rebuttable
presumption that the property belongs
absolutely to that person, to the
exclusion of his or her spouse; or
(b) in the names of the husband and wife
jointly, there shall be a rebuttable
presumption that their beneficial
interests therein are equal. Gifts between
husband and wife 61.

usband and wife
jointly, there shall be a rebuttable
presumption that their beneficial
interests therein are equal. Gifts between
husband and wife 61.

Where, during the subsistence of a
marriage, either spouse gives any property to the
other, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that
the property thereafter belongs absolutely to the
donee. No liability
for
antecedent
debts of
spouse
Cap.25
62. Subject to the provisions of the
Bankruptcy Act, no person shall be liable for any
debt contracted by his or her spouse prior to their
marriage.

5
62. Subject to the provisions of the
Bankruptcy Act, no person shall be liable for any
debt contracted by his or her spouse prior to their
marriage.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
42
Duty to maintain
spouse 63. Except where the parties are separated
by agreement or by decree of the court and subject
to any subsisting order of the court-
(a) it shall be the duty of every husband to
maintain his wife or wives and to
provide them with such
accommodation, clothing and food as
may be reasonable having regard to his
means and station in life;
(b) it shall be the duty of every wife who
has the means to do so, to provide in
similar manner for her husband if he is
incapacitated, wholly or partially, from
earning a livelihood by reason of mental
or physical injury or ill-health. Presumption of
wife’s authority
to pledge her
husband’s
credit
Act No.

from
earning a livelihood by reason of mental
or physical injury or ill-health. Presumption of
wife’s authority
to pledge her
husband’s
credit
Act No.

21 of 2009
s.165
64.-(1) Subject to the provisions of
subsections (2) and (3), a wife is presumed, unless
the contrary is proved, to have authority to pledge
her husband’s credit or to borrow money in his
name, or to use any of his money which is in her
possession or under her control, or to convert his
movable property into money and use the same, so
far as such credit or money is required for the
purchase of necessaries for herself and the children
of the marriage, appropriate to the husband’s
means and way of life. (2) Such authority shall be presumed only-
(a) where the husband and wife are living
together;
(b) where the husband and wife are
separated under an agreement which
provides that the husband will pay
maintenance to the wife and he has
failed to comply with that agreement;
(c) where the husband has deserted his wife
or by his conduct has compelled her to
leave him.

he wife and he has
failed to comply with that agreement;
(c) where the husband has deserted his wife
or by his conduct has compelled her to
leave him.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
43
(3) Notwithstanding anything in subsections
(1) and (2), no such authority shall be presumed
where it is proved that the wife is living openly in
an adulterous association. (4) The presumption of authority set out in
subsection (1) may be rebutted by evidence-
(a) that the wife was already receiving a
sufficient allowance or sufficient
maintenance or had sufficient means;
(b) that the wife already had a sufficiency
of the goods so purchased; or
(c) that the goods so purchased were
excessive in quantity or extravagant
having regard to the husband’s means,
and it is immaterial that the person
giving credit or lending money may
have been unaware of the fact. Husband and wife
and law of tort 65. As from the commencement of this Act-
(a) no husband shall be liable for the torts
of his wife by reason only of his being
her husband;
(b) a husband and wife shall have the same
liability in tort towards each other as if
they were unmarried;
(c) neither a husband nor a wife shall be
entitled to claim damages, in an action
arising out of any negligent act or
breach of duty, in respect of the loss or
impairment of consortium.

all be
entitled to claim damages, in an action
arising out of any negligent act or
breach of duty, in respect of the loss or
impairment of consortium.

No right of spouse
to inflict corporal
punishment
66. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby
declared that, notwithstanding any custom to the
contrary, no person has any right to inflict corporal
punishment on his or her spouse. Agreements to
live apart
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.166
67. The parties to a marriage may, by
writing signed by each other, agree to live apart
and any such agreement, including any provisions
as to maintenance, matrimonial property and the

by
writing signed by each other, agree to live apart
and any such agreement, including any provisions
as to maintenance, matrimonial property and the

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
44
custody of the children, if any, of the marriage
shall be valid and enforceable:
Provided that, the court shall have power,
whether the agreement was made before or after
the coming into force of this Act and
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
any such agreement, on the application of either
party at any time and from time to time to vary or
set aside any such provisions-
(i) if it is satisfied that the circumstances
have changed in any material respect;
or
(ii) if it is satisfied that the agreed
arrangements are not in the best
interests of the children. Status of
widows 68. Notwithstanding any custom to the
contrary, a woman whose husband has died shall
be free-
(a) to reside wherever she may please; and
(b) to remain unmarried or, subject to the
provisions of section 17, to marry again
any man of her own choosing:
Provided that, where the parties
were married in the Islamic form the widow
shall not be entitled to remarry until after
the expiration of the customary period of
iddat.

e the parties
were married in the Islamic form the widow
shall not be entitled to remarry until after
the expiration of the customary period of
iddat.

PART V
MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS OF ACTION
Right to damages
for breach of
promise of
marriage
69.-(1) A suit may be brought for damages
for the breach of a promise of marriage made in
Tanzania whether the breach occurred in Tanzania
or elsewhere, by the aggrieved party or, where that
party is below the age of eighteen years, by his or
her parent or guardian:

h occurred in Tanzania
or elsewhere, by the aggrieved party or, where that
party is below the age of eighteen years, by his or
her parent or guardian:

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
45
Provided that-
(a) no suit shall be brought against a party
who, at the time of the promise, was
below the age of eighteen years;
(b) no damages shall be awarded in any
such action in excess of loss actually
suffered as a result of expenditure
incurred as a direct result of the
promise. (2) A suit may similarly be brought in
respect of the breach of a promise of marriage
made in any other country but only if such an
action would lie under the law of that country as
well as under this Act. (3) No suit shall be brought for specific
performance of a promise of marriage. Limitation of
actions for breach
of promise
70. Notwithstanding the provisions of any
law regulating limitation of actions for the time
being in force, no suit shall be brought for damages
for the breach of a promise of marriage more than
one year after the date of the breach. Right to return of
gifts 71.

uit shall be brought for damages
for the breach of a promise of marriage more than
one year after the date of the breach. Right to return of
gifts 71.

A suit may be brought for the return of
any gift made in contemplation of a marriage
which has not been contracted, where the court is
satisfied that it was made with the intention on the
part of the giver that it should be conditional on the
marriage being contracted, but not otherwise. Right to damages
for adultery 72.-(1) A husband or wife may bring a suit
for damages against any person with whom his or
her spouse has committed adultery:
Provided that, no such proceeding shall lie-
(a) where the aggrieved party has
consented to or connived at the
adultery;
(b) where damages in respect of the alleged
adultery have been claimed in a petition
for divorce.

party has
consented to or connived at the
adultery;
(b) where damages in respect of the alleged
adultery have been claimed in a petition
for divorce.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
46
(2) A suit brought under this section shall
be dismissed if the defendant satisfies the court that
he or she did not know and could not, by the
exercise of reasonable diligence, have known that
the person with whom he or she committed the act
of adultery was married. Right to damages
for
enticement
73.-(1) A husband or wife may bring a suit
for damages against any person who has, for any
reason, enticed or induced his or her spouse to
desert him or her. (2) A suit brought under this section shall
be dismissed if the court is satisfied that the
conduct of the plaintiff has been such as to justify
or excuse his or her spouse leaving the matrimonial
home. Assessment of
damages for
adultery or
enticement
74.-(1) Damages for adultery or enticement
shall be in the discretion of the court but shall not
include any exemplary or punitive element. (2) In assessing such damages, the court
shall have regard-
(a) to any relevant custom of the
community to which the parties belong;
and
(b) in cases of adultery, to the question
whether husband and wife were living
together or apart. Jurisdiction of
primary
courts
Act No. 15 of 1980
sch. 75.

cases of adultery, to the question
whether husband and wife were living
together or apart. Jurisdiction of
primary
courts
Act No. 15 of 1980
sch. 75.

A primary court shall have jurisdiction
to entertain a suit under this Part where the parties
were married in accordance with customary law or
in Islamic form or, in the case of a suit under
section 69 or section 71, if the court is satisfied that
had the parties proceeded to marry they would have
married in accordance with customary law or in
Islamic form.

ion 71, if the court is satisfied that
had the parties proceeded to marry they would have
married in accordance with customary law or in
Islamic form.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
47
PART VI
MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS
(a) Jurisdiction, Procedure and General Provisions
Jurisdiction of
courts 76. Original jurisdiction in matrimonial
proceedings shall be vested concurrently in the
High Court, a court of a resident magistrate, a
district court and a primary court. Right to invoke
jurisdiction
Act No.21
of 2009
s.162
77.-(1) Any person may petition the court
for a declaratory decree-
(a) if he or she is domiciled in Tanzania;
(b) if he or she is resident in Tanzania;
(c) where the decree sought is as to the
validity of a ceremony which took
place in Tanzania and purported to be a
marriage. (2) Any person may petition the court for a
decree of separation if he or she has been resident
in Tanzania for at least one year immediately
preceding the commencement of the proceeding
and is present in Tanzania at the time of the
presentation of the petition.

at least one year immediately
preceding the commencement of the proceeding
and is present in Tanzania at the time of the
presentation of the petition.

(3) Any person may petition the court for a
decree of annulment or a decree of divorce if he or
she—
(a) is domiciled in Tanzania;
(b) has been resident in Tanzania for at
least one year immediately preceding
the presentation of the petition:
Provided that, in the case of a petition for
annulment under subsection (2) of section 96 such
petition may be lodged by a party who is resident
in Tanzania at the time when such petition is
lodged, for whatever duration such party may have
been resident in Tanzania.

by a party who is resident
in Tanzania at the time when such petition is
lodged, for whatever duration such party may have
been resident in Tanzania.

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48
(4) Any person may apply to the court for
maintenance or for custody of children or for any
other matrimonial relief if—
(a) he or she is domiciled in Tanzania;
(b) he or she is resident in Tanzania at the
time of the application; or
(c) both parties to the marriage are present
in Tanzania at the time of the
application. (5) Subject to provisions of this section, a
court in Tanzania shall have jurisdiction to
entertain any of the proceedings referred to in this
section notwithstanding that the marriage was
contracted outside Tanzania. Transfer of
proceedings 78. Where a matrimonial proceeding has
been instituted in a magistrate’s court it shall be
lawful, at any time before judgment, for the High
Court, on the application of either of the parties or
of the magistrate or on its own motion, to transfer
the proceeding to itself or to some other
magistrate’s court. Power of
magistrate
to state case
79. A magistrate hearing a matrimonial
proceeding may, at any stage of the proceeding
state in the form of a special case for the opinion of
the High Court or any question of law arising in the
proceeding. Appeals
Act No. 23 of 1973
s.

state in the form of a special case for the opinion of
the High Court or any question of law arising in the
proceeding. Appeals
Act No. 23 of 1973
s.

80
80.-(1) Any person aggrieved by any
decision or order of a court of a resident magistrate,
a district court or a primary court in a matrimonial
proceeding may appeal therefrom to the High
Court. (2) An appeal to the High Court shall be
filed in the magistrate’s court within forty five days
of the decision or order against which the appeal is
brought.

appeal to the High Court shall be
filed in the magistrate’s court within forty five days
of the decision or order against which the appeal is
brought.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
49
Cap.33 (3) Save to the extent provided in any rules
made under this Act, the provisions of the Civil
Procedure Code relating to appeals shall not apply
to appeals under this Act. (4) Any person aggrieved by a decision or
order of the High Court in its appellate jurisdiction
may appeal therefrom to the Court of Appeal on
any ground of law or mixed law and fact. (5) Any person aggrieved by a decision or
order of the High Court in its original jurisdiction
may appeal therefrom to the Court of Appeal. (6) Notwithstanding the provisions of this
section or any other written law, an appeal against
a declaratory decree granted under paragraph (e) of
subsection (2) of section 94, may be filed within
ninety days of such decree. Form of
proceedings 81.

eclaratory decree granted under paragraph (e) of
subsection (2) of section 94, may be filed within
ninety days of such decree. Form of
proceedings 81.

Subject to the provisions of section 93-
(a) every proceeding for a declaratory
decree or for a decree of annulment,
separation or divorce shall be instituted
by a petition;
(b) every application for maintenance, or
for custody of children, or for any other
matrimonial relief whatsoever shall,
unless included in a petition for a
declaratory decree or for annulment,
separation or divorce, be by summons
in chambers. Alternative reliefs 82. It shall be lawful to include in any
petition for matrimonial relief a prayer in the
alternative for any other matrimonial relief. Cross prayers
for relief 83. The respondent to any petition for
matrimonial relief may include in his or her answer
to the petition a cross-prayer for the same or any
other form of matrimonial relief and the court shall

monial relief may include in his or her answer
to the petition a cross-prayer for the same or any
other form of matrimonial relief and the court shall

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
50
have power to grant any relief on such cross-prayer
that it might have granted on a petition for the
relief sought. Petitions to be
heard in open court
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
84. All petitions in matrimonial proceedings
shall be heard in open court:
Provided that-
(a) the court shall have power in its
discretion, in exceptional
circumstances, to order that the public
be excluded from any hearing; and
(b) if, to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of
section 125, the court questions a child
as to his or her wishes regarding
custody, it shall do so in chambers. Connivance 85. Evidence of misconduct by a husband
or a wife shall not be inadmissible in any
matrimonial proceeding on the ground of
connivance by the aggrieved spouse but no person
shall be entitled to any relief by reason only of
misconduct at which he or she has connived. Condonation 86. Evidence of misconduct by a husband
or a wife shall not be inadmissible in any
matrimonial proceeding on the ground that the
misconduct was condoned by the aggrieved spouse. Power of court to
dismiss
proceedings on
account of non-
disclosure
87.

eeding on the ground that the
misconduct was condoned by the aggrieved spouse. Power of court to
dismiss
proceedings on
account of non-
disclosure
87.

The court shall have power to dismiss
any petition or application or make such other
order as it may think fit, including an order as to
costs, in any case where it is satisfied that the
petitioner or applicant has attempted to deceive the
court in any material respect or has wilfully failed
to make a full disclosure of all relevant facts. Mutual decrees
not to be granted 88. In any case where there is a cross-
prayer or a cross-petition for matrimonial relief, the

of all relevant facts. Mutual decrees
not to be granted 88. In any case where there is a cross-
prayer or a cross-petition for matrimonial relief, the

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
51
court shall not grant decrees in favour of both the
petitioner and of the respondent, except as regards
any ancillary relief. Abolition of
decree nisi 89. For the avoidance of doubt, it is
declared that relief by way of annulment,
separation or divorce may be granted by a single
decree and a decree granting relief shall no longer
be preceded by a decree nisi. Costs in
Matrimonial
proceedings
90.-(1) Costs in matrimonial proceedings
shall be in the discretion of the court:
Provided that, a woman shall not be ordered
to pay the costs of her husband or former husband
unless the court is satisfied that she has sufficient
means of her own to make such an order
reasonable. (2) At any stage of a matrimonial
proceeding, the court may, in its discretion, order a
man to furnish security for the payment of the costs
in that proceeding of his wife or former wife. Recognition of
decrees of foreign
courts
91.

der a
man to furnish security for the payment of the costs
in that proceeding of his wife or former wife. Recognition of
decrees of foreign
courts
91.

Where a court of competent jurisdiction
in any foreign country has passed a decree in any
matrimonial proceeding, whether arising out of a
marriage contracted in Tanzania or elsewhere, such
decree shall be recognised as effective for all
purposes of the law of Tanzania-
(a) if the petitioning party was domiciled in
that country or had been resident there
for at least two years prior to the filing
of the petition; or
(b) being a decree of annulment or divorce,
it has been recognized as effective in a
declaratory decree of a court of
competent jurisdiction in the country of
domicile of the parties or either of them.

been recognized as effective in a
declaratory decree of a court of
competent jurisdiction in the country of
domicile of the parties or either of them.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
52
Recognition of
extra-
territorial
divorces
92. Where any person has obtained a
divorce, otherwise than by decree of a court in
Tanzania, in any foreign country, the divorce shall
be recognised as effective for all purposes of the
law of Tanzania, if-
(a) it was effective according to the law of
the country of domicile of each of the
parties at the time of the divorce; or
(b) it has been recognised as effective in a
declaratory decree of a court of
competent jurisdiction in the country of
domicile of the parties or either of them. Special provisions
regulating
proceedings in
primary courts
Cap. 11
93. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Act, and subject to any rules made hereunder,
where any matrimonial proceeding is instituted in a
primary court, it may be instituted, tried and
disposed of in the same manner as any civil
proceeding instituted in a primary court and the
provisions of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, and of
any rules made thereunder regulating the
institution, hearing and disposal of a proceeding of
a civil nature in primary courts shall apply, mutatis
mutandis, to every such matrimonial proceeding.

itution, hearing and disposal of a proceeding of
a civil nature in primary courts shall apply, mutatis
mutandis, to every such matrimonial proceeding.

(b) Declaratory Decrees
Power of court to
grant
declaratory
decrees
94.-(1) In any proceedings under this Part,
the court may, on the petition of any interested
person, grant a declaratory decree, with or without
consequential relief, and no such proceedings shall
be open to objection on the ground that it is a
declaratory decree that is sought or that no
consequential relief is claimed. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of
subsection (1), the court may-
(a) on the petition of any person who was a
party to a ceremony purporting to be a

thout prejudice to the generality of
subsection (1), the court may-
(a) on the petition of any person who was a
party to a ceremony purporting to be a

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E.

2019]
53
marriage, whether such ceremony took
place in Tanzania or any other country,
grant a decree declaring the ceremony
to have been or not to have been a valid
marriage for the purposes of the law of
Tanzania;
(b) on the petition of any person who
desires to establish that he or she or
either of his or her parents was born
legitimate, grant a decree declaring that
the parents or, as the case may be, the
grandparents of such person were
lawfully married;
(c) on the petition of any person who
claims that his or her marriage was
determined under Islamic or customary
law prior to the coming into force of
this Act, grant a decree declaring that
the marriage was or was not so
determined;
(d) on the petition of any person who
claims that his or her marriage has been
annulled or dissolved under the law of
any country other than Tanzania, grant a
decree declaring that, for the purposes
of the law of Tanzania, the marriage
was or was not so determined; or
(e) on the petition of any person who can
show reasonable grounds for supposing
that his or her spouse is dead, grant a
decree declaring that such spouse is
presumed to be dead, or may, as the
case may be, dismiss the petition.

ng
that his or her spouse is dead, grant a
decree declaring that such spouse is
presumed to be dead, or may, as the
case may be, dismiss the petition.

Effect of
declaratory
decrees
95.-(1) A decree declaring that one of the
parties to a marriage is presumed to be dead shall,
if that party is not in fact dead, operate to
determine the marriage as from a date ninety days
from the date of the decree, where no appeal or

shall,
if that party is not in fact dead, operate to
determine the marriage as from a date ninety days
from the date of the decree, where no appeal or

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
54
notice of appeal, as the case may be, has been filed
within that time, or in any other case on the final
determination of the appeal or, where a second
appeal lies, on the final determination of that
appeal or on the expiration of the time for giving
notice of appeal. (2) Any other declaratory decree or the
decision on appeal from any such decree shall be
conclusive as between, and binding upon, all
persons who were parties to the proceedings or
were served with notice thereof and all persons
claiming under any such persons.

and binding upon, all
persons who were parties to the proceedings or
were served with notice thereof and all persons
claiming under any such persons.

(c) Annulment
Power of court to
annul voidable
marriage
96.-(1) The court shall have power to grant
a decree of annulment in respect of any marriage
which is voidable under the provisions of section
39:
Provided that-
(a) where the petition is founded on an
allegation that at the time of the
marriage the respondent was subject to
recurrent attacks of insanity or epilepsy
or was suffering from venereal disease
in a communicable form or was
pregnant by a person other than the
petitioner, the court shall not grant a
decree unless it is satisfied-
(i) that the petition was filed
within one year of the
date of the marriage; and
(ii) that at the time of the
marriage the petitioner
was ignorant of the fact
alleged; and
(iii) that marital intercourse
has not taken place with
the consent of the

e time of the
marriage the petitioner
was ignorant of the fact
alleged; and
(iii) that marital intercourse
has not taken place with
the consent of the

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
55
petitioner since
discovery by the
petitioner of that fact;
(b) where the petition is founded on an
allegation that at the time of the
marriage the intended wife was below
the age of eighteen years and that
consent as required by section 17 was
not given, the court shall not grant a
decree unless it is satisfied that the
petition was filed before that party
attained the age of eighteen years. (2) The court shall have power to grant a
decree of annulment in respect of any marriage
contracted outside Tanzania or in any foreign
embassy, High Commission or consulate in
Tanzania where the court is satisfied that any of the
conditions specified in section 36 or, as the case
may be, section 37 has not been complied with.

anzania where the court is satisfied that any of the
conditions specified in section 36 or, as the case
may be, section 37 has not been complied with.

Parties to petition
for
annulment
97.-(1) Subject to the provisions of
subsection (2), a petition for annulment of a
marriage may only be brought by one of the parties
to the marriage and where the petition is founded
on an allegation of facts of which one party was
ignorant at the time of the marriage may only be
brought by that party and where the petition is
founded on the wilful refusal of one party to
consummate the marriage, may only be brought by
the other party. (2) A petition for annulment of a marriage
on the ground that one of the parties was below the
age of eighteen years and that the consent of his or
her parent or guardian or of the court to the
marriage had not been given may be brought by the
parent or guardian of that party. Effect of decree of
annulment 98.-(1) The parties to a marriage which has
been annulled by a decree of the court shall be
deemed never to have been married:

of decree of
annulment 98.-(1) The parties to a marriage which has
been annulled by a decree of the court shall be
deemed never to have been married:

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
56
Provided that, a decree of annulment shall
not-
(a) render any child of the marriage
illegitimate;
(b) render lawful anything which was done
unlawfully during the marriage or
render unlawful anything which was
done lawfully during the marriage;
(c) affect the competence or compellability
of either spouse as a witness in respect
of anything done or any privilege in
respect of communications made during
the marriage; or
(d) relieve the husband of any debt properly
incurred on his behalf by his wife
during the marriage. (2) A decree of annulment shall be effective
as from thirty days from the date of the decree if no
appeal or notice of appeal, as the case may be, has
been filed within that time and in any other case on
the final determination of the appeal or, where a
second appeal lies, on the final determination of
that appeal or on the expiration of the time for
giving notice of appeal. (d) Separation and Divorce
Right to petition
for separation
or divorce
99.

f
that appeal or on the expiration of the time for
giving notice of appeal. (d) Separation and Divorce
Right to petition
for separation
or divorce
99.

Subject to the provisions of sections 77,
100 and 101, any married person may petition the
court for a decree of separation or divorce on the
ground that his or her marriage has broken down
but no decree of divorce shall be granted unless the
court is satisfied that the breakdown is irreparable. Restriction on
petition for
divorce during
first two years of
marriage
100.-(1) No person shall, without the prior
leave of the court, petition for divorce before the
expiry of two years from the date of the marriage
which it is sought to dissolve. (2) Leave shall not be granted to petition for
divorce within two years of the marriage except

he date of the marriage
which it is sought to dissolve. (2) Leave shall not be granted to petition for
divorce within two years of the marriage except

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
57
where it is shown that exceptional hardship is being
suffered by the person applying for such leave. (3) An application may be made to the court
under this section either before or after reference to
a Board under section 101. Requirement of
prior reference
to Board
101. No person shall petition for divorce
unless he or she has first referred the matrimonial
dispute or matter to a Board and the Board has
certified that it has failed to reconcile the parties:
Provided that, this requirement shall not
apply in any case-
(a) where the petitioner alleges that he or
she has been deserted by, and does not
know the whereabouts of, his or her
spouse;
(b) where the respondent is residing outside
Tanzania and it is unlikely that he or she
will enter the jurisdiction within the six
months next ensuing after the date of
the petition;
(c) where the respondent has been required
to appear before the Board and has
wilfully failed to attend;
Cap.

ensuing after the date of
the petition;
(c) where the respondent has been required
to appear before the Board and has
wilfully failed to attend;
Cap.

361
(d) where the respondent is imprisoned for
life or for a term of at least five years or
is detained under the Preventive
Detention Act and has been so detained
for a period exceeding six months;
(e) where the petitioner alleges that the
respondent is suffering from an
incurable mental illness;
(f) where the court is satisfied that there are
extraordinary circumstances which
make reference to the Board
impracticable.

incurable mental illness;
(f) where the court is satisfied that there are
extraordinary circumstances which
make reference to the Board
impracticable.

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58
(e) Marriage Conciliation Boards
Conciliation
Boards
Act No. 9 of 1996
sch. 102.-(1) The Minister shall establish in
every ward a Board to be known as a Marriage
Conciliation Board and may, if he considers it
desirable so to do, establish two or more such
Boards in any ward. (2) Where the Minister is satisfied that any
community in Tanzania has established for itself a
committee or a body of persons to perform the
functions of a Marriage Conciliation Board and
that it is desirable that such committee or body of
persons be designated to be the Board having
jurisdiction over the members of that community,
the Minister may so designate such committee or
body of persons. Composition and
jurisdiction of
Boards
103.-(1) Every Board shall consist of a
Chairman and not less than two and not more than
five other members.

s. Composition and
jurisdiction of
Boards
103.-(1) Every Board shall consist of a
Chairman and not less than two and not more than
five other members.

(2) The Board having jurisdiction for the
purposes of this Act shall be-
(a) the Board or any one of the Boards
established for the ward within which
the husband or intended husband resides
or where the husband or intended
husband is not resident in Tanzania, the
Board established for the ward within
which the wife or the intended wife
resides;
(b) where both parties belong to the same
community, the Board, if any,
designated to be the Board for that
community. Proceedings of
Boards 104.-(1) A Board to which a matrimonial
dispute or matter has been referred shall require the
attendance of the parties and shall give each of
them an opportunity of being heard and may hear

dispute or matter has been referred shall require the
attendance of the parties and shall give each of
them an opportunity of being heard and may hear

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
59
such other persons and make such inquiries as it
may think fit and may, if it considers it necessary,
adjourn the proceeding from time to time. (2) Where a Board is of the opinion that it is
necessary for it to require the attendance of any
person before it, it may by notice in writing,
require such person to attend before the Board on
the date and at the time and place specified in such
notice. (3) Where a person on whom a notice under
subsection (2) is served fails to comply with such
notice, the Board may apply to a primary court or a
district court for a summons to be issued to such
person to appear before the Board on the date and
at the time and place specified in such summons. (4) Every summons issued under subsection
(3) shall be in the same form and shall have the
same effect as a summons issued by a court
requiring the attendance of a witness in any suit,
and any non-compliance with such summons shall
constitute a contempt of court and be punishable
accordingly.

the attendance of a witness in any suit,
and any non-compliance with such summons shall
constitute a contempt of court and be punishable
accordingly.

(5) Where the Board is unable to resolve the
matrimonial dispute or matter referred to it to the
satisfaction of the parties, it shall issue a certificate
setting out its findings. (6) A Board may append to its certificate
such recommendations relevant to the matter or
dispute referred to it as it may think fit. (7) The proceedings of a Board shall not be
invalid by reason only of the fact that it did not
have jurisdiction under subsection (2) of section
103. (8) No advocate shall appear or act for any
party in any proceeding before a Board and no
party shall be represented by any person other than
a member of his or her family, without leave of the
Board.

in any proceeding before a Board and no
party shall be represented by any person other than
a member of his or her family, without leave of the
Board.

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60
(9) Subject to the provisions of this section
and any rules made in that behalf under this Act,
every Board shall regulate its own procedure. (f) Petitions and Determination
Parties to petitions 105.-(1) No person shall be made a co-
respondent to a petition for a decree of separation. (2) Where a petition for a decree of divorce
includes an allegation of adultery on the part of the
respondent, the petitioner may, and if so directed
by the court shall make the person with whom the
adultery is alleged to have been committed a co-
respondent.

, the petitioner may, and if so directed
by the court shall make the person with whom the
adultery is alleged to have been committed a co-
respondent.

Contents of
petitions 106.-(1) Every petition for a decree of
separation or divorce shall contain-
(a) particulars of the marriage between the
parties and the names, ages and sex of
the children, if any, of the marriage;
(b) particulars of the facts giving the court
jurisdiction;
(c) particulars of any previous matrimonial
proceedings between the parties;
(d) a statement of the principal allegations
which it will be sought to prove as
evidence of the breakdown of the
marriage;
(e) where the petitioner has been guilty of
any marital misconduct, an admission of
such misconduct;
(f) the terms of any agreement regarding
maintenance or the division of any
assets acquired through the joint efforts
of the parties or, where no such
agreement has been reached, the
petitioner’s proposals; and
(g) particulars of the relief sought.

h the joint efforts
of the parties or, where no such
agreement has been reached, the
petitioner’s proposals; and
(g) particulars of the relief sought.

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61
(2) Every petition for a decree of divorce
shall be accompanied by a certificate by a Board,
issued not more than six months before the filing of
the petition in accordance with subsection (5) of
section 104:
Provided that, such certificate shall not be
required in cases to which the proviso to section
101 applies. (3) A petition for a decree of divorce which
includes an allegation of adultery may include a
prayer that the co-respondent be condemned in
damages in respect of the alleged adultery:
Provided that, a prayer for damages for
adultery shall not be included in a petition for
divorce if damages for the alleged adultery have
already been claimed in a suit brought under
section 72.

tery shall not be included in a petition for
divorce if damages for the alleged adultery have
already been claimed in a suit brought under
section 72.

Evidence that
marriage has
broken down
107.-(1) In deciding whether or not a
marriage has broken down, the court shall have
regard to all relevant evidence regarding the
conduct and circumstances of the parties and, in
particular shall-
(a) unless the court for any special reason
otherwise directs, refuse to grant a
decree where a petition is founded
exclusively on the petitioner’s own
wrongdoing; and
(b) have regard to the custom of the
community to which the parties belong. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of
subsection (1), the court may accept any one or
more of the following matters as evidence that a
marriage has broken down but proof of any such
matter shall not entitle a party as of right to a
decree-
(a) adultery committed by the respondent,
particularly when more than one act of
adultery has been committed or when

a party as of right to a
decree-
(a) adultery committed by the respondent,
particularly when more than one act of
adultery has been committed or when

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
62
adulterous association is continued
despite protest;
(b) sexual perversion on the part of the
respondent;
(c) cruelty, whether mental or physical,
inflicted by the respondent on the
petitioner or on the children, if any, of
the marriage;
(d) wilful neglect on the part of the
respondent;
(e) desertion of the petitioner by the
respondent for at least three years,
where the court is satisfied that it is
wilful;
(f) voluntary separation or separation by
decree of the court, where it has
continued for at least three years;
(g) imprisonment of the respondent for life
or for a term of not less than five years,
regard being had both to the length of
the sentence and to the nature of the
offence for which it was imposed;
(h) mental illness of the respondent, where
at least two doctors, one of whom is
qualified or experienced in psychiatry,
have certified that they entertain no
hope of cure or recovery; or
(i) change of religion by the respondent,
where both parties followed the same
faith at the time of the marriage and
where according to the laws of that faith
a change of religion dissolves or is a
ground for the dissolution of marriage.

the time of the marriage and
where according to the laws of that faith
a change of religion dissolves or is a
ground for the dissolution of marriage.

(3) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of
the court that-
(a) the parties were married in Islamic
form;
(b) a Board has certified that it has failed to
reconcile the parties; and

tisfaction of
the court that-
(a) the parties were married in Islamic
form;
(b) a Board has certified that it has failed to
reconcile the parties; and

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63
(c) subsequent to the granting by the Board
of a certificate that it has failed to
reconcile the parties, either of them has
done any act or thing which would, but
for the provisions of this Act, have
dissolved the marriage in accordance
with the Islamic law,
the court shall make a finding that the marriage has
irreparably broken down and proceed to grant a
decree of divorce. (4) When hearing a petition for a decree of
divorce, the court may admit and found its
decisions, wholly or partly, on evidence which is
substantially the same as that on which a decree of
separation has previously been granted. Duties of court on
petition for
separation
or divorce
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
108.

that on which a decree of
separation has previously been granted. Duties of court on
petition for
separation
or divorce
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
108.

It shall be the duty of a court hearing a
petition for a decree of separation or divorce-
(a) to inquire, so far as it reasonably can,
into the facts alleged and to consider
whether those facts or such of them as
are proved, show that the marriage has
broken down;
(b) to inquire into the arrangements made
or proposed as regards maintenance and
the division of any matrimonial
property and to satisfy itself that such
arrangements are reasonable;
(c) to inquire into the arrangements made
or proposed as regards the maintenance
and custody of the children, if any, of
the marriage and to satisfy itself that
such arrangements are in the best
interests of the children; and
(d) in the case of a petition for divorce,
where the court is satisfied that the
marriage has broken down, to consider
whether the breakdown of the marriage
is irreparable.

etition for divorce,
where the court is satisfied that the
marriage has broken down, to consider
whether the breakdown of the marriage
is irreparable.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
64
Power of court on
claim to damages
for adultery
109.-(1) Where, in a petition for divorce,
damages for adultery have been claimed against a
co-respondent-
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
(a) if, after the close of the evidence for the
petitioner, the court is of the opinion
that there is not sufficient evidence
against the co-respondent to justify
requiring him or her to reply, the co-
respondent shall be discharged from the
proceedings; or
(b) if, at the conclusion of the hearing, the
court is satisfied that adultery between
the respondent and the co-respondent
has been proved, the court may award
the petitioner damages against the co-
respondent. (2) The provisions of section 74 shall apply
to the assessment of damages awarded under this
section. (3) The court may award damages against a
co-respondent under this section notwithstanding
that the petition is, as against the respondent,
dismissed or adjourned.

may award damages against a
co-respondent under this section notwithstanding
that the petition is, as against the respondent,
dismissed or adjourned.

(4) The court shall have power, when
awarding damages under this section, to direct that
such damages or any part of them, be vested in
trustees upon trust to apply the income thereof for
the benefit of the children, if any, of the marriage
or, where the petitioner is required to pay
maintenance to the respondent, in or towards the
payment of that maintenance, and subject thereto in
trust for the petitioner
Power of court to
grant decree of
separation
or divorce
Act No. 110.-(1) At the conclusion of the hearing of
a petition for separation or divorce, the court may-
(a) if satisfied that the marriage has broken
down and, where the petition is for

the hearing of
a petition for separation or divorce, the court may-
(a) if satisfied that the marriage has broken
down and, where the petition is for

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
65
21 of 2009
s.162 divorce, that the break down is
irreparable, grant a decree of separation
or divorce, as the case may be, together
with any ancillary relief; or
(b) if not so satisfied, dismiss the petition,
and where there is a cross-petition or
cross-prayer, the court may if satisfied
as aforesaid, grant a decree on the
petition or on the cross-petition or
cross-prayer as it may deem fit with any
ancillary relief to either party or if not
so satisfied, dismiss both the petition
and the cross-petition or cross-prayer. (2) Where the petition or the cross-petition
or cross-prayer, if any, is for a decree of divorce,
the court may adjourn the proceedings for such
period, not exceeding six months, as the court may
think fit, for further inquiries or further attempts at
reconciliation to be made and may direct that
inquiries or attempts be made by a Board.

rt may
think fit, for further inquiries or further attempts at
reconciliation to be made and may direct that
inquiries or attempts be made by a Board.

(3) Where a decree of separation or divorce
is granted, it shall include provision for the
maintenance and custody of the children, if any, of
the marriage:
Provided that, the court may grant a decree
which includes an interim order as to custody,
reserving its final order pending further inquiries as
to the most satisfactory arrangements that can be
made. Effect of decree of
separation 111. A decree of separation shall relieve the
parties of the duty to cohabit and to render each
other help and companionship and, except so far as
the decree otherwise provides, of the duty to
maintain each other, but shall not dissolve their
marital status.

nd companionship and, except so far as
the decree otherwise provides, of the duty to
maintain each other, but shall not dissolve their
marital status.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
66
Effect of decree of
divorce 112.-(1) Subject to subsection (3), a decree
of divorce shall dissolve the marital status of the
parties as from thirty days from the date of the
decree, if no appeal or notice of appeal, as the case
may be, has been filed within that time, or in any
other case, on the final determination of the appeal
or, where a second or subsequent appeal lies, on
the final determination of that appeal or on the
expiration of the time for giving notice of appeal. (2) A marriage which has been dissolved
shall not be an impediment to the subsequent
marriage of either of the parties thereto. (3) Where a decree of divorce is granted
pursuant to the provisions of subsection (3) of
section 107, the marriage shall, unless the court
otherwise directs, be deemed to have been
dissolved as from the date when the dissolution
would, but for this Act, have taken effect in
accordance with the Islamic law. Power of court to
set aside or vary
decrees of
separation
113.-(1) The court shall set aside a decree
of separation on the joint application of the parties.

of court to
set aside or vary
decrees of
separation
113.-(1) The court shall set aside a decree
of separation on the joint application of the parties.

(2) The court may set aside a decree of
separation on the application of either party where
it is satisfied that the decree was obtained as the
result of misrepresentation or mistake of fact. (3) The court may vary the terms of the
decree of separation on the application of the
parties or either of them where there has been any
material change in the circumstances. (g) Division of Assets and Maintenance as between Husband and
Wife
Power of court to
order division
of matrimonial
assets
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
114.-(1) The court shall have power, when
granting or subsequent to the grant of a decree of
separation or divorce, to order the division between
the parties of any assets acquired by them during
the marriage by their joint efforts or to order the

ration or divorce, to order the division between
the parties of any assets acquired by them during
the marriage by their joint efforts or to order the

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
67
sale of any such asset and the division between the
parties of the proceeds of sale. (2) In exercising the power conferred by
subsection (1), the court shall have regard to -
(a) the customs of the community to which
the parties belong;
(b) the extent of the contributions made by
each party in money, property or work
towards the acquiring of the assets;
(c) any debts owing by either party which
were contracted for their joint benefit;
and
(d) the needs of the children, if any, of the
marriage, and subject to those
considerations, shall incline towards
equality of division. (3) For the purposes of this section,
references to assets acquired during the marriage
include assets owned before the marriage by one
party which have been substantially improved
during the marriage by the other party or by their
joint efforts.

assets owned before the marriage by one
party which have been substantially improved
during the marriage by the other party or by their
joint efforts.

Power of court to
order maintenance
for spouse
115.-(1) The court may order a man to pay
maintenance to his wife or former wife-
(a) if he has refused or neglected to provide
for her as required by section 63;
(b) if he has deserted her, for so long as the
desertion continues;
(c) during the course of any matrimonial
proceedings;
(d) when granting or subsequent to the
grant of a decree of separation;
(e) when granting or subsequent to the
grant of a decree of divorce;
(f) where the parties were married in
Islamic form, for the customary period
of iddat following the date on which

to the
grant of a decree of divorce;
(f) where the parties were married in
Islamic form, for the customary period
of iddat following the date on which

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
68
the divorce takes, or is deemed to have
taken, effect;
(g) if, after a decree declaring her presumed
to be dead, she is found to be alive:
Provided that, where the marriage has been
dissolved, the wife shall not, unless the court for
special reason so directs, be entitled to maintenance
for herself for any period following the date when
the dissolution takes effect. (2) The court shall have the corresponding
power to order a woman to pay maintenance to her
husband or former husband where he is
incapacitated, wholly or partially, from earning
livelihood by reason of mental or physical injury or
ill-health, and the court is satisfied that having
regard to her means it is reasonable so to order. (3) The power to order maintenance in the
cases referred to in paragraphs (d), (e), (f) and (g)
of subsection (1) shall extend to cases where the
decree was granted by a foreign court, if it is one
which is recognised as effective under the
provisions of section 91 and for this purpose, a
declaratory decree recognising as effective a
divorce obtained otherwise than by decree of a
court shall be deemed to be a decree of divorce.

rpose, a
declaratory decree recognising as effective a
divorce obtained otherwise than by decree of a
court shall be deemed to be a decree of divorce.

Assessment of
maintenance 116. In determining the amount of any
maintenance to be paid by a man to his wife or
former wife or by a woman to her husband or
former husband, the court shall base its assessment
primarily on the means and needs of the parties but
shall have regard also-
(a) to the degree of responsibility which the
court apportions to each party for the
breakdown of the marriage; and
(b) to the customs of the community to
which the parties belong.

ility which the
court apportions to each party for the
breakdown of the marriage; and
(b) to the customs of the community to
which the parties belong.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
69
Power of court to
order security for
maintenance
117. The court may, in its discretion when
awarding maintenance, order the person liable to
pay such maintenance to secure the whole or any
part of it by vesting any property in trustees upon
trust to pay such maintenance or part thereof out of
the income from such property and, subject thereto,
in trust for the settlor. Compounding
maintenance 118. An agreement for the payment, in
money or other property, of a capital sum in
settlement of all future claims to maintenance, shall
not be effective until it has been approved or
approved subject to conditions, by the court, but
when so approved shall be a good defence to any
claim for maintenance. Duration of orders
for
maintenance
119. Save where an order for maintenance
is expressed to be for any shorter period or where
any such order has been rescinded, every order for
maintenance shall, subject to the provisions of
section 120, expire-
(a) if the maintenance was unsecured, on
the death of the husband or of the wife,
whichever is the earlier;
(b) if the maintenance was secured, on the
death of the spouse in whose favour it
was made.

h of the husband or of the wife,
whichever is the earlier;
(b) if the maintenance was secured, on the
death of the spouse in whose favour it
was made.

Right to
maintenance to
cease on
remarriage
120.-(1) The right of any divorced woman
to receive maintenance from her former spouse
under any order of court shall cease on her
remarriage. (2) The right of any man to receive
maintenance from his former wife under any order
of court shall cease upon his remarriage. (3) The right of any divorced person to
receive maintenance from his or her former spouse
under an agreement shall cease on his or her

his remarriage. (3) The right of any divorced person to
receive maintenance from his or her former spouse
under an agreement shall cease on his or her

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
70
remarriage unless the agreement otherwise
provides. Power of court to
vary orders for
maintenance
121. The court may, at any time and from
time to time, vary or may rescind, any subsisting
order for maintenance, whether secured or
unsecured, on the application of the person in
whose favour or of the person against whom the
order was made, or, in respect of secured
maintenance, of the legal personal representatives
of the latter, where it is satisfied that the order was
based on any misrepresentation or mistake of fact
or where there has been any material change in the
circumstances. Power of court to
vary agreements
for
maintenance
122. Subject to the provisions of section
118, the court may, at any time and from time to
time, vary the terms of any agreement as to
maintenance made between husband and wife,
whether made before or after the coming into force
of this Act, where it is satisfied that there has been
any material change in the circumstances and
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
any such agreement. Maintenance
payable under
order of court to
be inalienable
123.

circumstances and
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
any such agreement. Maintenance
payable under
order of court to
be inalienable
123.

Maintenance payable to any person
under an order of court shall not be assignable or
transferable or liable to be attached, sequestered or
levied upon for, or in respect of any debt or claim
whatsoever, save for a debt due to the Government. Recovery of
arrears
of maintenance
and
enforcement of
maintenance
orders
Cap.4
s.8
124.-(1) Subject to subsection (3), arrears of
unsecured maintenance payable under any
agreement shall be recoverable as a debt from the
defaulter and, where they accrued before the
making of a receiving order against the defaulter,
shall be provable in his or her bankruptcy and,
where they accrued due before his or her death,
shall be a debt from his or her estate.

the defaulter,
shall be provable in his or her bankruptcy and,
where they accrued due before his or her death,
shall be a debt from his or her estate.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
71
(2) Subject to subsection (3), arrears of
unsecured maintenance payable under an
agreement and which accrued before the death of
the person entitled thereto, shall be recoverable as a
debt by the legal personal representatives of such
person. (3) No amount owing as maintenance
payable under an agreement shall be recoverable in
any suit if it accrued more than three years before
the institution of the suit. Cap.33
(4) Every order for maintenance made by a
court shall be enforceable, in respect of any
maintenance accrued thereunder, in the same
manner as a decree for payment of money passed
by that court, and the provisions of the Civil
Procedure Code relating to enforcement and
execution of decrees for payment of money shall
apply mutatis mutandis to the enforcement of an
order for maintenance. (h) Custody and Maintenance of Children
Power of court to
Make order for
custody
Act No.

atis mutandis to the enforcement of an
order for maintenance. (h) Custody and Maintenance of Children
Power of court to
Make order for
custody
Act No.

21 of 2009
s.162
125.-(1) The court may, at any time, by
order, place a child in the custody of his or her
father or his or her mother or, where there are
exceptional circumstances making it undesirable
that the child be entrusted to either parent, of any
other relative of the child or of any association the
objects of which include child welfare. (2) In deciding in whose custody a child
should be placed the paramount consideration shall
be the welfare of the child and, subject to this, the
court shall have regard to-
(a) the wishes of the parents of the child;
(b) the wishes of the child, where he or she
is of an age to express an independent
opinion; and
(c) the customs of the community to which
the parties belong.

wishes of the child, where he or she
is of an age to express an independent
opinion; and
(c) the customs of the community to which
the parties belong.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
72
(3) There shall be a rebuttable presumption
that it is for the good of a child below the age of
seven years to be with his or her mother but in
deciding whether that presumption applies to the
facts of any particular case, the court shall have
regard to the undesirability of disturbing the life of
the child by changes of custody. (4) Where there are two or more children of
a marriage, the court shall not be bound to place
both or all in the custody of the same person but
shall consider the welfare of each independently. Orders subject to
conditions
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
126.-(1) An order for custody may be made
subject to such conditions as the court may think fit
to impose, and subject to such conditions, if any, as
may from time to time apply, shall entitle the
person given custody to decide all questions
relating to the upbringing and education of the
child.

as
may from time to time apply, shall entitle the
person given custody to decide all questions
relating to the upbringing and education of the
child.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of
subsection (1), an order for custody may-
(a) contain conditions as to the place where
the child is to reside, as to the manner of
his or her education and as to the
religion in which he or she is to be
brought up;
(b) provide for the child to be temporarily
in the care and control of some person
other than the person given custody;
(c) provide for the child to visit a parent
deprived of custody or any member of
the family of a parent who is dead or
has been deprived of custody at such
times and for such periods as the court
may consider reasonable;
(d) give a parent deprived of custody or any
member of the family of a parent who is
dead or has been deprived of custody
the right of access to the child at such

arent deprived of custody or any
member of the family of a parent who is
dead or has been deprived of custody
the right of access to the child at such

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
73
times and with such frequency as the
court may consider reasonable; or
(e) prohibit the person given custody from
taking the child out of Tanzania. Declaratory order
as to
unfitness of parent
to have custody
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
127.-(1) The court may, when granting a
decree of separation or divorce or at any time
thereafter, on the application of the father or the
mother of any child of the marriage, or where the
father or mother is dead, on the application of a
relative of the deceased parent, make an order
declaring either parent to be a person unfit to have
the custody of the child and may at any time
rescind any such order. (2) Where an order has been made under
subsection (1), and has not been rescinded, the
parent thereby declared to be unfit shall not, on the
death of the other parent, be entitled to the custody
of such child unless the court otherwise orders. Custody of
children
deemed
legitimate
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
128.

arent, be entitled to the custody
of such child unless the court otherwise orders. Custody of
children
deemed
legitimate
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
128.

Where a marriage is a nullity or is
annulled under section 96 the mother shall, in the
absence of any agreement or order of court to the
contrary, be entitled to the custody of the child, if
any, of the marriage. Duty to maintain
children
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
129.-(1) Save where an agreement or order
of court otherwise provides, it shall be the duty of a
man to maintain his children, whether they are in
his custody or the custody of any other person,
either by providing them with such
accommodation, clothing, food and education as
may be reasonable having regard to his means and
station in life or by paying the cost thereof. (2) Subject to the provisions of subsection
(1), it shall be the duty of a woman to maintain or
contribute to the maintenance of her children if
their father is dead or his whereabouts are unknown
or if and so far as he is unable to maintain them.

ontribute to the maintenance of her children if
their father is dead or his whereabouts are unknown
or if and so far as he is unable to maintain them.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
74
Power of court to
order maintenance
for
children
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
130.-(1) The court may, at any time, order a
man to pay maintenance for the benefit of his
child-
(a) if he has refused or neglected to
adequately provide for him or her;
(b) if he has deserted his wife and the child
is in her charge;
(c) during the pendency of any matrimonial
proceedings; or
(d) when making or subsequent to the
making of an order placing the child in
the custody of any other person. (2) The court shall have the corresponding
power to order a woman to pay or contribute
towards the maintenance of her child where it is
satisfied that having regard to her means it is
reasonable so to order. (3) An order under subsection (1) or
subsection (2) may direct payment to the person
having custody or care and control of the child or
to the trustees for the child. Power of court to
order security
for
maintenance
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
131.

tody or care and control of the child or
to the trustees for the child. Power of court to
order security
for
maintenance
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
131.

The court may, in its discretion, when
ordering payment of maintenance for the benefit of
a child, order the person liable to pay such
maintenance to secure the whole or any part of it
by vesting any property in trustees upon trust to
pay such maintenance or part thereof out of the
income from such property and subject thereto, in
trust for the settlor. Duration of orders
for
custody and
maintenance
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
132. Save where an order for custody or
maintenance of a child is expressed to be for any
shorter period or where any such order has been
rescinded, it shall expire on the attainment by the
child of the age of eighteen years.

to be for any
shorter period or where any such order has been
rescinded, it shall expire on the attainment by the
child of the age of eighteen years.

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
75
Power of court to
vary orders for
custody or
maintenance
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
133. The court may, at any time and from
time to time, vary or rescind, any order for the
custody or maintenance of a child on the
application of any interested person, where it is
satisfied that the order was based on any
misrepresentation or mistake of fact or where there
has been any material change in the circumstances. Power of court to
vary agreement
for custody or
maintenance
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
134. The court may at any time and from
time to time vary the terms of any agreement
relating to the custody or maintenance of a child,
whether made before or after the commencement
of this Act, notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary in any such agreement, where it is
satisfied that it is reasonable and in the interest of
the welfare of the child so to do. Recovery of
arrears of
maintenance
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
135. The provisions of section 124 shall
apply, mutatis mutandis, to orders for the payment
of maintenance for the benefit of a child. Court to have
regard to advice of
welfare
officers
Act No.

ply, mutatis mutandis, to orders for the payment
of maintenance for the benefit of a child. Court to have
regard to advice of
welfare
officers
Act No.

21 of 2009
s.162
Cap.4
s.8
136.-(1) When considering any question
relating to the custody or maintenance of any child,
the court shall, whenever it is practicable, take the
advice of some person, whether or not a public
officer, who is trained or experienced in child
welfare but shall not be bound to follow such
advice. (2) No proceeding shall be invalid by
reason only of non-compliance with subsection (1). Power of court to
restrain taking of
child out of
Tanzania
137.-(1) The court may, on the application
of the father or the mother of a child-
(a) where any matrimonial proceeding is
pending; or
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
(b) where, under any agreement or order of
court, one parent has custody of the
child to the exclusion of the other,

ding; or
Act No. 21 of 2009
s.162
(b) where, under any agreement or order of
court, one parent has custody of the
child to the exclusion of the other,

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
76
issue an injunction restraining the other
parent from taking the child out of Tanzania
or may give leave for such child to be taken
out of Tanzania either unconditionally or
subject to such conditions or on such
undertaking as the court may think fit. (2) The court may, on the application of any
interested person, issue an injunction restraining
any person other than a person having custody of a
child, from taking the child out of Tanzania. (3) Failure to comply with an order made
under this section shall be punishable as a contempt
of court. (i) Other Reliefs
Power of court to
set aside and
prevent
dispositions
intended to defeat
claims to
maintenance
Act No.

shable as a contempt
of court. (i) Other Reliefs
Power of court to
set aside and
prevent
dispositions
intended to defeat
claims to
maintenance
Act No.

21 of 2009
s.162
138.-(1) Where-
(a) any matrimonial proceeding is pending;
(b) any order made under section 114 has
not been complied with;
(c) an order for maintenance has been made
under section 115 or section 130 and
has not been rescinded; or
(d) maintenance is payable under any
agreement to or for the benefit of a
spouse or former spouse or a child,
the court shall have power on application-
(i) to set aside a disposition if it is
satisfied that any such
disposition of property has been
made by the spouse or former
spouse or parent of the person
by or on whose behalf the
application is made, within the
preceding three years, with the
object on the part of the person
making the disposition of
reducing his or her means to pay
maintenance or of depriving his

ding three years, with the
object on the part of the person
making the disposition of
reducing his or her means to pay
maintenance or of depriving his

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
77
or her spouse of any rights in
relation to that property; and
(ii) to grant an injunction preventing
that disposition if it is satisfied
that the disposition of property
is intended to be made with any
such object. (2) For the purposes of this section-
(a) “disposition” includes a sale, gift, lease,
mortgage or any other transaction
whereby ownership or possession of the
property is transferred or encumbered
but does not include a disposition made
for money or money’s worth to or in
favour of a person acting in good faith
and in ignorance of the object with
which the disposition is made; and
(b) “property” means property of any
nature, movable or immovable, and
includes money and choses in action. Injunctions
against
molestation
139. The court shall have power during the
pendency of any matrimonial proceedings or on or
after the grant of a decree of annulment, separation
or divorce, to order any person to refrain from
forcing his or her company on his or her spouse or
former spouse and from other acts of molestation. No proceedings to
compel
cohabitation
140.

n from
forcing his or her company on his or her spouse or
former spouse and from other acts of molestation. No proceedings to
compel
cohabitation
140.

No proceeding may be brought to
compel a wife to live with her husband or a
husband with his wife, but it shall be competent for
a spouse who has been deserted to refer the matter
to a Board. (j) Reciprocal Arrangements for Enforcement of Maintenance
Orders
Reciprocal
arrangements
with other
countries for
141.-(1) Where an agreement has been
made with any country with respect to the
reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders, the

h other
countries for
141.-(1) Where an agreement has been
made with any country with respect to the
reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders, the

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
78
enforcement of
maintenance
orders
Minister may, by order published in the Gazette,
declare that the provisions of sections 142, 143 and
144 shall apply in the case of that country. (2) For the purposes of this section and
sections 142, 143 and 144, “maintenance order”
means an order, other than an order of affiliation,
for the periodical payment of sums of money
towards the maintenance of the wife or former wife
or husband or former husband or a child of the
person against whom the order is made. Registration of
orders
made in other
countries
142.-(1) Where a maintenance order has,
whether before or after the commencement of this
Act, been made against any person by any court in
a country to which this section applies and a
certified copy thereof has been transmitted to the
Minister for the time being responsible for foreign
affairs, the Minister shall send a copy to a court in
Mainland Tanzania for registration and thereupon
the order shall be registered in the prescribed
manner.

the Minister shall send a copy to a court in
Mainland Tanzania for registration and thereupon
the order shall be registered in the prescribed
manner.

(2) The court in which an order is to be so
registered shall, if the court in which the order was
made was a court of superior jurisdiction, be the
High Court, and in any other case, be a court of a
resident magistrate. Enforcement of
registered orders 143.-(1) An order which has been registered
under section 142 may, from the date of
registration, be enforced as if it had been an order
made by the court in which it is registered. (2) Where such an order is made by a
magistrate’s court, it shall be sent to the Minister
through the Registrar of the High Court. Transmission of
orders made in
Tanzania
144.-(1) Where a court in Tanzania has,
whether before or after the commencement of this
Act, made a maintenance order against any person
and it is proved to that court that the person against

ether before or after the commencement of this
Act, made a maintenance order against any person
and it is proved to that court that the person against

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
79
whom the order is made is resident in a country to
which this section applies, the court shall send a
certified copy of the order to the Minister
responsible for foreign affairs for transmission to
that country. (2) Where such an order is made by a
magistrate’s court, it shall be sent to the Minister
through the Registrar of the High Court. PART VII
OFFENCES
False statement
in notice of
intention
to marry or in
notice of
objection
Cap.4
S.8
145. Any person who, when giving notice
of intention to marry in compliance with section
18, or notice of objection to an intended marriage
under section 20, makes any false statement
commits an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding three years:
Provided that, it shall be a good defence to
a charge under this section that the person charged
had reasonable grounds for believing the statement
to be true. Failure to attend
before Board
Cap.4
S.8
146.

nder this section that the person charged
had reasonable grounds for believing the statement
to be true. Failure to attend
before Board
Cap.4
S.8
146.

Any person who, having been required
to attend before a Board, refuses or neglects to do
so without reasonable excuse commits an offence
and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding five hundred shillings. Giving false
testimony before
Board
Cap.4
S.8
147. Any person who in or in relation to
any proceeding before a Board-
(a) knowingly makes a false statement;
(b) fabricates evidence or makes use of
fabricated evidence;
(c) destroys, mutilates or conceals any
documentary evidence; or
(d) attempts to influence any witness,
commits an offence and shall be liable on

nce;
(c) destroys, mutilates or conceals any
documentary evidence; or
(d) attempts to influence any witness,
commits an offence and shall be liable on

The Law of Marriage Act [CAP. 29 R.E. 2019]
80
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding two years. Minimum age
Cap.4
S.8
148.-(1) Any person who is a party to a
ceremony purporting to be a marriage knowing or
having reason to believe that the other party is
below the minimum age for marriage commits an
offence and shall be liable on conviction to
imprisonment for three years. (2) Any person who participates in any such
ceremony knowing or having reason to believe that
either party is below the minimum age for marriage
commits an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding two years. Prohibited
relationship
Cap.4
S.8
149.-(1) Any person who is a party to a
ceremony purporting to be a marriage where the
parties are within the prohibited relationships
commits an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding two years:
Provided that, it shall be a good defence to
a charge under this section, that the person charged
did not know and could not reasonably have
discovered the relationship.

hall be a good defence to
a charge under this section, that the person charged
did not know and could not reasonably have
discovered the relationship.

(2) Any person who participates in any such
ceremony knowing or having reason to believe that
the relationship exists commits an offence and shall
be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding two years. Prohibited
ceremony
Cap.4
S.8
150.-(1) Any person who is a party to a
ceremony purporting to be a marriage, knowing
that the intended marriage has been prohibited by
order of the court or of a Board under the powers
conferred by section 22, commits an offence and
shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for
three years.

he court or of a Board under the powers
conferred by section 22, commits an offence and
shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for
three years.

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81
(2) Any person who participates in any such
ceremony knowing that the intended marriage has
been so prohibited commits an offence and shall be
liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding two years. Coercion or fraud
Cap.4
S.8
151.-(1) Any person who is a party to a
ceremony purporting to be a marriage knowing or
having reason to believe that the consent of the
other party was induced by any coercion or fraud
on the part of himself or herself or of any other
person, or by a mistake as to the nature of the
ceremony, or that the other party was suffering
from any mental disorder or mental defect, whether
permanent or temporary or was intoxicated, so as
not fully to appreciate the nature of the ceremony,
commits an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding three years. (2) Any person who participates in any such
ceremony with the knowledge of the fact which
makes the ceremony a nullity commits an offence
and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding three years.

the fact which
makes the ceremony a nullity commits an offence
and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding three years.

Polyandry and
similar offences
Cap.4
S.8
152.-(1) A married woman who is a party to
a ceremony whereby she purports to marry another
man commits an offence. (2) A man who is a party to a ceremony
whereby he purports to marry a woman who is
married to another man knowing or having reason
to believe that she is so married, commits an
offence. (3) Any person who commits an offence
under subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding three years. (4) Any person who participates in any such
ceremony with knowledge of the fact which makes

tion to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding three years. (4) Any person who participates in any such
ceremony with knowledge of the fact which makes

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82
the ceremony a nullity commits an offence and
shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding three years. (5) It shall be a good defence for a person
charged with an offence under subsection (1) or
(2), that he or she believed his or her spouse, or the
spouse of the person with whom he or she
purported to contract marriage, as the case may be,
to be dead or that the marriage had been dissolved
and had reasonable grounds for that belief. Ceremony
performed by
unauthorised
official
Cap.4
S.8
153. Any person who is a party to or
participates in a ceremony purporting to be a
marriage knowing or having reason to believe that
any person officiating thereat is not lawfully
entitled to do so, commits an offence and shall be
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two
thousand shillings. Absence of witness
Cap.4
S.8
154. Any person who is a party to or
participates in a ceremony purporting to be a
marriage at which there are not at least two
competent witnesses present commits an offence
and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding two thousand shillings.

are not at least two
competent witnesses present commits an offence
and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding two thousand shillings.

Irregular
marriages
Cap.4
S.8
155.-(1) Any person who is a party to a
ceremony of marriage where-
(a) the intended wife is below the age of
eighteen years and consent to the
marriage, as required by section 18, has
not been given;
(b) notice of intention to marry, as required
by section 18, has not been given; or
(c) notice of objection to the intended
marriage has been given and has not
been dismissed or withdrawn,
commits an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding six months:

ven and has not
been dismissed or withdrawn,
commits an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding six months:

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83
Provided that, it shall be a good defence to
a charge under paragraph (a) or paragraph (c) of
this subsection, that the person charged did not
know and had no reason to believe that the party
was below the age of eighteen years or, as the case
may, that he had no knowledge that notice of
objection had been given or that he reasonably
believed that such notice had been dismissed or
withdrawn. (2) Any person who participates in any such
ceremony with knowledge of the irregularity
commits an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to the like penalty. Meaning of
participation 156. For the purposes of sections 148 to
155, inclusive, “to participate in” a ceremony
means:
(a) to officiate thereat;
(b) to give consent thereto under section 17;
or
(c) to act as a witness thereto. Failing to apply for
registration
Cap.4
S.8
157.

officiate thereat;
(b) to give consent thereto under section 17;
or
(c) to act as a witness thereto. Failing to apply for
registration
Cap.4
S.8
157.

Any person who, being under a duty to
apply for the registration of any marriage, fails to
do so within the prescribed time, commits an
offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine
not exceeding five hundred shillings:
Provided that, no person shall be charged
with an offence under this section if the marriage
has been registered under subsection (8) of section
43. Unlawful attempt
to prevent
marriage
158.-(1) Any person who unlawfully
attempts to prevent parties to an intended marriage
to get married commits an offence. Cap.4
S.8 (2) Any person who with the intention to
disturb or delay the celebration of any marriage or
with the intention of embarrassing the intended
parties or any other person present at the place

o
disturb or delay the celebration of any marriage or
with the intention of embarrassing the intended
parties or any other person present at the place

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84
where a marriage ceremony is being, or is about to
be, or has been, performed, causes a disturbance in,
at or near such place commits an offence. (3) Any person who commits an offence
under this section shall be liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding two thousand shillings or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three
months or to both. PART VIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Presumption of
validity of
registered marriage
159. The fact that a marriage has been
registered under this Act or any other written law
in force before the commencement of this Act
providing for the registration of marriages shall
raise a rebuttable presumption that such marriage
was valid. Presumption of
marriage 160.-(1) Where it is proved that a man and
woman have lived together for two years or more,
in such circumstances as to have acquired the
reputation of being husband and wife, there shall
be a rebuttable presumption that they were duly
married.

such circumstances as to have acquired the
reputation of being husband and wife, there shall
be a rebuttable presumption that they were duly
married.

(2) When a man and a woman have lived
together in circumstances which give rise to a
presumption provided for in subsection (1) and
such presumption is rebutted in any court of
competent jurisdiction, the woman shall be entitled
to apply for maintenance for herself and for every
child of the union on satisfying the court that she
and the man did in fact live together as husband
and wife for two years or more, and the court shall
have jurisdiction to make an order or orders for
maintenance and, upon application made therefor
either by the woman or the man, to grant such other
reliefs, including custody of children, as it has
jurisdiction under this Act to make or grant upon or

er by the woman or the man, to grant such other
reliefs, including custody of children, as it has
jurisdiction under this Act to make or grant upon or

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85
subsequent to the making of an order for the
dissolution of a marriage or an order for separation,
as the court may think fit, and the provisions of this
Act which regulate and apply to proceedings for,
and orders of, maintenance and other reliefs shall,
in so far as they may be applicable, regulate and
apply to proceedings for and orders of maintenance
and other reliefs under this section. Presumption of
death 161.-(1) Where in any proceeding, whether
civil, matrimonial or criminal, under this Act it is
proved that a person has not been heard of for five
years by those who might be expected to have
heard of him if he were alive, there shall be a
rebuttable presumption that he is dead.

heard of for five
years by those who might be expected to have
heard of him if he were alive, there shall be a
rebuttable presumption that he is dead.

(2) Where a presumption under subsection
(1) arises, the other party to the marriage shall not,
by virtue of such presumption be entitled to
contract another marriage unless such other party
obtains or has obtained a decree of dissolution of
the marriage from the court on the ground of
desertion or obtains a declaratory decree under
section 94 and the provisions of section 95 shall
apply:
Provided that, this subsection shall not
apply where the parties were married under a
polygamous marriage and the presumption of death
arises in relation to the wife. Rules and
regulations 162.-(1) The Chief Justice may make Rules
of Court for regulating the practice and procedure
under Part II and Part VI of this Act, including the
procedure on petitions and applications, the
transfer of proceedings, the stating of cases and
appeals to the High Court, the registration of
maintenance orders, execution or enforcement of
decrees or orders in matrimonial proceedings and
for the forms to be used and the fees to be paid in
respect thereof.

ers, execution or enforcement of
decrees or orders in matrimonial proceedings and
for the forms to be used and the fees to be paid in
respect thereof.

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86
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection
(1), the Minister may make regulations prescribing
anything which may be prescribed under this Act
and for the better carrying into effect of the
provisions of this Act and, without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing, such regulations may-
(a) prescribe forms of application for the
specification of religions under section
25 and the licensing of ministers under
section 30;
(b) regulate the procedure of the Boards;
(c) prescribe the manner in which notices
of intention to marry are to be made
known;
(d) prescribe the forms to be used for the
giving of any notice required by this
Act to be given;
(e) prescribe the forms of licences to be
issued by the Registrar-General;
(f) prescribe the form of marriage
certificates;
(g) prescribe the form of statement of
particulars relating to a marriage to be
used by registration officers;
(h) prescribe the forms of the registers to be
kept and the returns to be made under
this Act; and
(i) prescribe the fees to be paid for services
to be performed under this Act or under
any regulations made under this section. Repeal of certain
laws 163.

rescribe the fees to be paid for services
to be performed under this Act or under
any regulations made under this section. Repeal of certain
laws 163.

The written laws set out in the First
Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed. Amendment of
certain laws 164. The written laws set out in the first and
second columns of the Second Schedule are hereby
amended in the manner specified in relation thereto
in the third column of that Schedule.

e first and
second columns of the Second Schedule are hereby
amended in the manner specified in relation thereto
in the third column of that Schedule.

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87
Saving 165.-(1) Any subsisting union between a
man and a woman which under any written or
customary law constituted a valid marriage on the
coming into force of this Act, shall continue to be
such, notwithstanding any provision of this Act
which might have invalidated it but for this section.

ing into force of this Act, shall continue to be
such, notwithstanding any provision of this Act
which might have invalidated it but for this section.

(2) All proceedings commenced under any
written law or under customary law and relating to
any matter provided for in this Act shall, so far as
practicable, be continued under this Act and for
this purpose-
(a) every application for a separation order
and every petition for judicial
separation shall be deemed to be a
petition for a decree of separation under
this Act and the grounds set out in the
application or petition shall be deemed
to be the principal allegations which it
will be sought to prove as evidence that
the marriage has broken down:
Provided that, where a co-
respondent is named in a petition for
judicial separation, he shall be
discharged from the proceedings,
without prejudice to any right of action
the petitioner may have against him;
(b) every petition for divorce, other than
one on which a decree nisi has been
granted, shall be deemed to be a petition
for a decree of divorce under this Act
and the grounds set out in the petition
shall be deemed to be the principal
allegations which it will be sought to
prove as evidence of the breakdown of
the marriage but every such petition
shall, unless the court otherwise orders,
be stayed pending reference to a Board.

as evidence of the breakdown of
the marriage but every such petition
shall, unless the court otherwise orders,
be stayed pending reference to a Board.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (2), where a decree nisi has been

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (2), where a decree nisi has been

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88
granted in any matrimonial proceedings, the
proceedings shall continue as if this Act had not
been enacted. (4) An order for judicial separation or a
decree of divorce granted under any written law
hereby repealed shall, in relation to the powers of
the court regarding maintenance, be deemed to be a
decree of separation or divorce, as the case may be,
granted under this Act. R.L Cap. 109 (5) No marriage performed or purported to
have been performed under the Marriage
Ordinance shall be invalid by reason only of the
fact that both the parties to such marriage or
purported marriage were Muslims, Hindus,
Buddhists, pagans or persons professing the same
religion or professing no generally recognised form
of religion. (6) The provisions of subsection (5) shall
not be construed as validating any marriage to
which that section applies which, prior to the
coming into operation of this Act, has been
declared invalid or annulled by a court of
competent jurisdiction. Omitted
Cap.16 166. Amendment of the Penal Code.

to operation of this Act, has been
declared invalid or annulled by a court of
competent jurisdiction. Omitted
Cap.16 166. Amendment of the Penal Code.

Translation of
Act into
Kiswahili
167.-(1) The Minister shall, as soon as may
be practicable after the publication of this Act,
cause this Act to be translated into Kiswahili and
such translation to be published in the Gazette. (2) The Minister shall, by order published
in the Gazette, cause to be incorporated into the
Kiswahili version of this Act, any amendment
made to this Act. (3) Where there is any dispute as to whether
the translation of any of the provisions of this Act
is a correct translation, the matter shall be referred
to the Attorney-General whose decision thereon
shall be final.

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89
(4) The Minister may, from time to time, by
order published in the Gazette modify or vary the
Kiswahili translation of this Act in order to remove
any ambiguity, inconsistency, uncertainty or
inaccuracy.
(5) The provisions of subsection (1) shall
not apply to the Schedules to this Act.
_______
FIRST SCHEDULE
_______
Omitted: Repeal of various written laws.
_________
SECOND SCHEDULE
__________
Omitted: Consequential amendments of various laws.
______________________