Civil Registration

• In accordance with Section 3(1) of the Married Persons Property Act marriage solemnised between spouses is outright out of community of property and community of profit and loss or any liabilities or privileges therefrom.
• However, the Act provides that spouses may choose to contract to be in community of property and community of profit and loss or any liabilities or privileges therefrom by signing an instrument to that effect.
• The instrument must be signed by each of the spouses before solemnisation of their marriage and in the presence of two persons one of whom shall be an administrative officer as a witness to the choice made.
• For the signed instrument to be valid it must be registered in the Deeds Register (Attorney General’s Office) within 90 days. If not registered within this period the instrument will not be valid hence the marriage will be presumed to be out of community as at Section 3(1).

• In accordance with Section 3(1) of the Married Persons Property Act marriage solemnised between spouses is outright out of community of property and community of profit and loss or any liabilities or privileges therefrom.
• However, the Act provides that spouses may choose to contract to be in community of property and community of profit and loss or any liabilities or privileges therefrom by signing an instrument to that effect.
• The instrument must be signed by each of the spouses before solemnisation of their marriage and in the presence of two persons one of whom shall be an administrative officer as a witness to the choice made.
• For the signed instrument to be valid it must be registered in the Deeds Register (Attorney General’s Office) within 90 days. If not registered within this period the instrument will not be valid hence the marriage will be presumed to be out of community as at Section 3(1).

According to the Marriage Act No. 18 of 2001, Chapter 29:01, any marriage that takes place within Botswana must be registered except marriages contracted in accordance with any customary law of Botswana or Muslim, Hindu or any other Religious right.

Why do you have to register a marriage?

• For national statistical purposes, to cater for development
• Evidence of existence of marriage having been legally solemnised

According to the Marriage Act No. 18 of 2001, Chapter 29:01, any marriage that takes place within Botswana must be registered except marriages contracted in accordance with any customary law of Botswana or Muslim, Hindu or any other Religious right.

Why do you have to register a marriage?

• For national statistical purposes, to cater for development
• Evidence of existence of marriage having been legally solemnised

A Charge d' Affaires must call on the Chief of Protocol after his/her arrival in Gaborone.  The Protocol Department will then arrange a meeting with the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation for Presentation of his / her Letters of Appointment/Introduction.

The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation facilitates applications by Batswana residing outside the country in diaspora through provision of access to services provided by other line Ministries. 

These include facilitating applications for / renewal of Omang; National Passport; birth and death certificates; validation of driver’s licences; and the repatriation of deceased persons to Botswana. 

The Ministry also assists foreign nationals who are former residents of the Republic of Botswana with issuance of police clearances certificates.