Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act 2009

Brief Description

The Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act enacted in 2009 was intended to end early, forced and child marriages permissible under customary law and to protect women who marry under this law. It stated that no marriage will be valid unless both spouses are not less than 18 years old and consent to it. This is in conformity to all the international and regional conventions that Sierra Leone has ratified and agreed to domesticate. The Local Councils are charged with the responsibility of registering such marriages but fee vary from one Local Council to another.