AG's office gives couples chance to say 'I do' in style for extra fee

Couples can now exchange vows on a serene garden setting or elegant private rooms at the Office of the Attorney General.

The new service by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor allows the office to officiate weddings in a space of personal preferences at a prescribed fee, giving love a new glow.

Oduor said the new marriage service is designed to meet the diverse preferences of couples and give them a premium wedding experience as they formalise their unions.

This means, couples seeking to formalise their union are no longer limited to plain government offices or traditional venues.

“Couples can now enjoy garden weddings officiated by the Office of the Attorney General at a prescribed fee,” said Oduor.

 “Couples can select and procure a beautiful, serene outdoor setting for their special day, ensuring a memorable experience while securing compliance with all legal requirements for marriage registration,” she added.

From serene garden weddings to a luxurious VIP marriage room, Oduor said the service is aimed to cater for diverse tastes and ensure an unforgettable experience for couples.

The AG also introduced a VIP Marriage room in Nairobi for couples who want a personalised experience at the AG’s office in Nairobi.

“We are excited to announce the launch of a VIP Marriage Room which offers an upscale, expedited marriage service for couples seeking an elegant and efficient wedding experience,” she said.

The AG noted that the VIP service will be offered at an up-scaled fee to reflect the premium features.

The features include a private, well-appointed room designed for personalised ceremonies.

The AG said couples can decorate the room according to their preferences, allowing a customized touch to their celebration.

“The VIP Marriage Room underscores our commitment to ensuring that all couples have the latitude to create meaningful memories on their wedding day while receiving professional and prompt service,” said Oduor.

Traditionally, couples formalizing their union at the AG’s office have walked away with their marriage certificate in hand but little else to mark the occasion.

The setting has often been a modest room with sparse furniture and decor, where the bride, groom, and their witnesses exchange vows in a quick, no-frills ceremony. If lucky, they bring along a photographer to freeze the fleeting moment in time.  

According to Anthony Kimeu, a representative of the AG, the new fees will be released to the public after they have been ratified by a team at the OAG.

“We have announced the new service so that couples seeking to formalise their union can plan accordingly with the new products in mind,” said Kimeu.

Currently, civil marriage at the Registrar’s Office costs Sh8,600 while civil marriage outside the Registrar’s office is charged at Sh16,700.

For church wedding, a couple pays Sh1,400 for the marriage certificate.

According to Kimeu, the AG’s office was officiating garden weddings but the service collapsed due to the expenses attached.

However, reintroduction of the outdoor civil marriage with revised fees will give couples premium wedding experience at the destination of their choice complete with décor, entertainment and any fanfare activities.

“We will now have registrars available to officially hand over the certificates at the clients’ venue of choice. Previously a couple could choose a destination that would add extra expense to have the representatives there,” said Kimeu, adding that the service is also meant to promote Kenya as a marriage destination.