FCT CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL NOTICE OF INTRODUCTION OF MARRIAGE CERTIFCATE UNIT

NOTIFICATION OF ISSUANCE OF MARRIAGE CERTIFCATES FOR MARRIAGES CONTRACTED UNDER NATIVE LAW AND CUSTOM.

The Federal Capital Territory Customary Court of Appeal wishes to inform all Embassies, Government Agencies, Financial Institutions, Educational Institutions, International Organisations, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the general public that the Court, pursuant to the FCT Customary Court of Appeal (Marriage Certificate) Practice Direction No. 3 of 2026, a Marriage Certificate Unit for the issuance of Marriage Certificates in respect of marriages validly contracted under Native Law and Custom, has been established.

This initiative is aimed at providing parties to customary marriages with an official certificate that meets contemporary documentation requirements while preserving the legal validity of marriages celebrated under customary law.

The Marriage Certificate issued by the Court incorporates modern security features and conforms to internationally acceptable standards for document authentication and verification. To ensure authenticity and prevent forgery, each certificate contains a unique QR Code through which the document may be verified instantly. Verification may also be carried out through the official website of the Court at fctcca.gov.ng.

Accordingly, all Embassies, Consular Offices, Government Institutions, Corporate Organisations, Educational Institutions, National Secretariat and Branches of the NBA, and other relevant bodies are hereby requested to recognize and accept these Certificates as official evidence of marriages contracted under Native Law and Custom, subject to their respective legal and administrative requirements.

For further inquiries, clarification, or verification, please visit the Court’s website or contact the Marriage Certificate Unit of the Federal Capital Territory Customary Court of Appeal.

Chief Registrar.

05/06/2026