Marriage Officer Registration
Register as a Secular Marriage Officer
READ THIS FIRST!
The South African Secular Society (SASS) does not accept Marriage Officer applications from non-members. Our process requires that you join as a (paying) Member. Work as a part-time unpaid Volunteer and demonstrate your commitment to SASS and secularism for at least six months, then you may apply to become a Marriage Officer. Be warned that, while only a Member may apply to become a Marriage Officer, being a Member does not guarantee that you will be accepted onto the Marriage Officer Programme. Membership fees are non-refundable.
If you are motivated by the idea of helping couples celebrate their love in a meaningful and personal way, while also promoting secular values, join SASS, demonstrate your commitment, and apply to become a secular marriage officer.
Becoming a secular marriage officer is a fulfilling calling for individuals who are passionate about humanism and promoting secular values. SASS marriage officers are responsible for conducting secular weddings, which are non-religious and focus on the couple’s personal beliefs and values.
An officiant (or celebrant) can perform other secular humanist ceremonies like funerals, child naming, coming of age, and other rituals. Marriage is the only service for which the officiant must be registered; without registration, a marriage is not deemed legal.
SASS is registered by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to designate members as Marriage Officers under the Civil Union Act, thus providing a secular avenue for non-religious South Africans to marry.
All SASS Marriage Officers conduct both heterosexual and same-sex marriages. In this way, SASS upholds South Africa’s secular Constitution and protects the rights of secular citizens.
Caution! If you want to become a Marriage Officer to run it as a business or to create an extra income stream, please do not apply through SASS. Our Marriage Officers may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses, but essentially this is a service to the secular community. By law, you may not be rewarded for any service under the Civil Union Act: Neither solemnising the marriage, nor submitting the paperwork to the Department of Home Affairs.
Please study the following carefully before applying:
- All applicants must be paying SASS Members in good standing.
- All applicants must read the SASS Mission Statement and Ethos. Should your views, beliefs, or conscience not align, please do not apply, as you will not be accepted. Instead, look at other ways to become a Marriage Officer in South Africa.
- If you practice any religion or other superstition (e.g. Reiki, crystal healing, wicca, homeopathy, seances, or astrology), please do not apply: you will not be accepted as a SASS member, and certainly not as a potential Marriage Officer.
- If you are “spiritual but not religious” and your spirituality involves a belief in anything unscientific –like disembodied spirits, souls, or an afterlife– please do not apply: you will not be accepted as a potential Marriage Officer (try the Spiritual Humanist Church or the SA Pagan Council instead).
- The process from joining as a Member to being designated as a Marriage Officer takes at least 12 months (but 20 is more likely), and includes:
- joining as a paying member,
- an initial interview as a potential unpaid Volunteer and placement in one or two of our projects,
- making a meaningful contribution to the SASS project(s) for at least an average of 4 hours a month over at least 6 months,
- attending the monthly General Meeting (up to 2 hours)
- a first panel interview (with presentation from the applicant),
- study material on secularism,
- at least three months’ probation as a Candidate Marriage Officer,
- a report on the Candidate’s contribution to SASS,
- a second panel interview and/or test on the study material,
- study material required by the Department of Home Affairs for the certification exam.
- Candidates are then put forward to the Department of Home Affairs to write the exam. This requires a thorough understanding of the Civil Union Act 17 of 2006 with a minimum pass mark of 75%.
- Applicants and designated SASS Marriage Officers are expected to attend SASS General Meetings, participate in SASS projects, and pay membership dues.
To start, join SASS now, and volunteer for one or two projects. When you are ready, return and click the button below: