WAIVER FROM THE PUBLICATION OF MARRIAGE BANNS IN CAMEROON -2023 APPROVED GUIDELINES

INTRODUCTION

Waiver from the publication of marriage banns in Cameroon is regulated by Ordinance No: 81-02- of 29 June 1981 regulating marriage and civil status in the republic of Cameroon have made it compulsory for intending spouses to lodge with the civil status registrar a declaration of their intention to contract a marriage. The civil status registrar is expected to make the publication of the marriage intention public at least 30 days before the marriage is contracted. However, the law gives room for intending spouses to apply for a waiver from the publication of marriage banns in Cameroon as the procedure shall be highlighted below.

PUBLICATION OF MARRIAGE BANNS IN CAMEROON

Now within the 30 days period of publication of marriage banns, a person who has a legitimate interest may object to the celebration of the marriage. The objection can be made verbally or in writing to the civil status registrar who published the marriage. Persons who have a legitimate interest to object to the celebration of the marriage are:

1. The father, mother, and guardian of spouses-to-be who are minors
2. A customary authority, particularly in the case of customary incest
3. The husband of a woman who is committed by the bonds of an undisclosed previous marriage.
4. The wife of a man who is committed by the bonds of an undisclosed previous monogamous marriage.

Now intending spouses who don’t intend to publish their marriage intentions can formally apply to a state prosecutor in Cameroon for a waiver from the publication of marriage banns in Cameroon under section 55 of Ordinance No: 81-02- of 29 June 1981. This is a discretionary power and as such the reasons for the waiver must be serious to enable the prosecutor to dispense with the compulsory publication of marriage banns intentions.

PROCEDURE FOR THE WAIVER FROM THE PUBLICATION OF MARRIAGE BANNS

1. Intending spouses should contact and issue a power of Attorney to a family Attorney in Cameroon. 
2. Submit to their Attorney a signed application for a waiver from the publication of marriage banns in Cameroon addressed to the state prosecutor.
3. Also submit a copy of their identity card, birth certificate, and single status attestation to their Attorney.
4. When the waiver from the publication of marriage banns in Cameroon is signed by the state prosecutor, the same must be legalized at the ministry of external Relations for it to be admitted in any embassy abroad.

 In conclusion, it is worth noting that most state prosecutors in exercising their discretionary waiver powers feel comfortable interviewing the intending spouses in their chamber. When it is practically not feasible for the intending spouses to appear before the state prosecutor to apply for a waiver from the publication of marriage banns in Cameroon, we strongly recommend they brief an Attorney to make the application on their behalf. 

Article by Barr. Mafany Victor Ngando

Kinsmen Advocates Law Firm

“The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstance”