Ghana marriage laws for foreigners (2026) – Requirements, costs, steps

Table of Contents

• 1. Types of marriage recognized in Ghana
• 2. Same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ risk notice
• 3. Eligibility to marry in Ghana
• 4. Residency requirements for foreigners
• 5. Civil (Ordinance) marriage process
• 6. Documents required for foreigners
• 7. Costs and fees (2025)
• 8. Recognition of foreign marriages in Ghana
• 9. International recognition of a Ghanaian marriage
• 10. Residence permit after marrying a Ghanaian
• 11. Divorce laws for foreigners
• 12. Marital property and prenuptial agreements
• 13. Fact-check summary
• Action items
• Legal disclaimer

1. Types of Marriage Recognized in Ghana

Ghana recognizes three types of marriage under law. Each carries different legal implications, especially for foreigners.

1.1 Ordinance (Civil) Marriage

Governed by the Marriages Act (Cap 127), this is Ghana’s only strictly monogamous legal marriage. Despite common misconceptions, it is entirely secular, not religious. It offers strong legal protection and is typically the most reliably recognized internationally.

1.2 Customary Marriage

Customary marriages are rooted in the traditions of various ethnic groups and may permit polygamy. The process typically involves formal approaches between families, negotiation of bride price (dowry), and a ceremony. Registration is separate from the ceremony and is strongly advisable for legal protection.

1.3 Islamic (Mohammedan) Marriage

Governed by the Marriage of Mohammedans (Cap 129), this accommodates Islamic practices including polygamy. Registration is critical because unregistered marriages create serious proof and enforcement problems later.

2. Same-Sex Marriage: Critical Notice for LGBTQ+ Foreigners

This guide is focused on marriage process rules. However, foreigners should be aware that Ghana’s criminal law framework can expose LGBTQ+ persons to legal risk. Legislative proposals and enforcement climate can also change quickly.

3. Eligibility to Marry in Ghana

Foreign nationals are permitted to marry in Ghana, subject to compliance with local laws. The following conditions apply to all parties:

• Minimum age: 18 years for both parties. Those under 18 may marry only with parental consent and, in some cases, judicial approval.
• Capacity: Both parties must be of sound mind.
• Freedom to marry: Both parties must be legally free to marry (no existing undissolved marriages).
• Consanguinity: Close relatives may not marry (prohibited degrees apply).

4. Residency Requirement for Foreigners

This is one of the most practically important rules. There are two standards depending on which registry office you use. Always confirm directly with the registry where you plan to file.

5. The Civil (Ordinance) Marriage Process

Step 1: File a Notice of Intended Marriage

File the notice at the Marriage Registry in the district where the ceremony will take place. In many cases, both parties must be present to initiate registration.
After filing, the registry publishes the names of both parties on its public notice board for 21 days. A filing fee of approximately GHS 150 is commonly paid at this stage.

Step 2: 21-Day Publication Period

The public notice remains posted for 21 days to allow anyone to raise a legal objection. Grounds for objection include an existing undissolved marriage, prohibited degree of kinship, or lack of capacity. If no objection is raised, the registrar issues a Registrar’s Certificate authorizing the marriage to proceed.

Step 3: The Ceremony

The ceremony is conducted before a licensed Marriage Registrar with four witnesses present (commonly two from each party). Documents are signed and the marriage certificate is typically issued the same day.

Step 4: Three-Month Deadline

The Registrar’s Certificate is valid for three months from the date of issue. If the marriage ceremony has not taken place within three months, the certificate becomes void and the process must restart.

The Special License (Bypassing the 21-Day Wait)

In some circumstances, a Special License may be granted to waive the 21-day notice period. This is issued by the Registrar General’s Department in Accra.
Qualifying criteria are not always published and may be applied at the registrar’s discretion. Applicants typically provide a compelling reason such as imminent departure from the country. Anecdotal reports suggest processing can be fast (often 1 to 2 business days), but you should not rely on this without confirmation.

6. Documents Required for Foreigners

Foreign-issued documents should be properly authenticated (apostille where applicable) and, if not in English, translated by an accredited translator into English. Carrying original documents (not just extracts or copies) is strongly recommended.

• Valid passport or national ID (originals and photocopies for both parties)
• Valid resident permit (for both-foreigner couples, or as required by your specific registry)
• Declaration form (obtained from the registry and completed with the registrar’s assistance)
• Consent letter (required if one party cannot be present at the time of filing, where allowed)
• Divorce certificate(s) for any party previously married (authenticated and in English)
• Death certificate if a previous spouse is deceased

7. Costs and Fees (2025)

8. Recognition of Foreign Marriages in Ghana

Ghana generally recognizes a marriage validly contracted abroad under the laws of the country where it took place. Proof is typically a foreign marriage certificate, properly authenticated (apostille where applicable).

Real 2025 Case: Pokua v. Kwakye

In this Supreme Court estate dispute, the court addressed competing claims involving a civil marriage contracted in Germany and a long-term customary union. A key practical lesson emphasized by commentary around this dispute: bring properly authenticated originals, not extracts or informal copies, when you need to prove a foreign marriage in Ghana.

9. International Recognition of a Ghanaian Marriage

Marriages legally registered in Ghana are generally recognized internationally. For use abroad, marriage certificates will often need to be authenticated (apostille where applicable). Any additional legalization requirements depend on the destination country’s rules.

• For the US, UK, EU, and many OECD countries: an apostilled Ghanaian marriage certificate is often sufficient.
• Ordinance marriages are usually the most straightforward to use internationally.
• Customary or Islamic marriages can require additional proof steps depending on your home country. Confirm with your embassy or consulate.
• Name change procedures after a Ghanaian marriage are governed by your home country’s law, using the authenticated Ghanaian marriage certificate as evidence.

10. Residence Permit After Marrying a Ghanaian

A foreigner married to a Ghanaian citizen may apply for a spousal residence permit. Key requirements commonly include:

• A bona fide marriage (authorities may scrutinize marriages suspected to be for immigration purposes)
• Original marriage certificate plus a signed consent letter and copy of a valid Ghana ID from the Ghanaian spouse
• Two Ghanaian guarantors who execute a security bond against repatriation expenses
• Many applicants find it safer to apply after at least one year of marriage (reduces perceived risk, but does not guarantee approval)
• First-time applicants commonly receive a one-year permit, renewable before expiry
• A spousal residence permit does not automatically grant the right to work. Separate work authorization is required if employment is intended.
• For permanent residency: the foreign spouse may need multiple years of lawful residence and may face travel-limit rules close to the time of application (verify current policy before planning travel).

11. Divorce Laws for Foreigners

Foreign nationals are not treated differently in divorce proceedings, except that jurisdiction rules can matter. A common requirement is domicile in Ghana or ordinary residence in Ghana for a multi-year period before starting proceedings.

The ground for divorce is generally that the marriage has broken down beyond reconciliation. Courts may consider evidence such as adultery, refusal to consummate, unsoundness of mind at the time of marriage, and other statutory factors.

Divorce petitions are often restricted within the first two years of marriage, although earlier petitions may be allowed where substantial hardship is shown.

12. Marital Property and Prenuptial Agreements

Ghana’s marital property law has been shaped by Supreme Court decisions, and practical outcomes depend heavily on proof and the specific facts of the relationship. In 2025, major rulings were widely reported as strengthening the idea that spouses can maintain separate economic lives and own property independently.

Prenuptial agreements (practical reality)

• There is no single, simple “prenup statute” that makes every prenup automatically enforceable in Ghana.
• Courts may consider written pre-marital agreements case by case, especially where the agreement was voluntary and understood by both parties.
• Courts may refuse enforcement if terms are unconscionable, or if there was duress, undue influence, or fraud.

Action Items

1. Pick the marriage type you want (Ordinance vs Customary vs Islamic) based on your goals and your home country’s recognition rules.
2. Choose your registry office first, then plan your travel around that registry’s residency and filing requirements.
3. Collect originals of passports, divorce decrees, and death certificates (if applicable), plus authentication and English translations if needed.
4. If you need to marry quickly, confirm special license eligibility before you book flights.
5. If you are planning residency after marriage, confirm the current spousal permit checklist and guarantor requirements before you submit.

TLDR

• Ghana recognizes three marriage types: Ordinance (civil, monogamous), Customary (may be polygamous), and Islamic/Mohammedan (may be polygamous).
• For foreigners, Ordinance marriage is usually the cleanest option for international recognition and legal certainty.
• Registry residency rules vary by office. Plan your trip around the specific registry you will use.
• Expect a 21-day notice period for Ordinance marriage unless a special license is granted.
• Foreign documents should be properly authenticated (apostille where applicable) and translated into English if needed.

Primary / official starting points (verify before acting)

• Registrar General’s Department (RGD)
• Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)
• Ministry of the Interior (Ghana)
• Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)

Compliance note: All money transfer services must be licensed by the Bank of Ghana.