Couples with marriage certificates do not need to register with Rita

The Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (Rita) yesterday described as false and erroneous reports circulating in media and social media platforms that married couples need to register their marriages with Rita.

Quoting the Marriage Law, sections 30, 43 and 46, Rita Chief Executive Officer, Mr Frank Kanyusi, told journalists here that couples issued with government marriage certificates must know that their marriages are recognised by law.

He said those couples should not waste time by going to Rita offices to register their marriages again.

“I wish to clarify that couples issued with marriage certificates their marriages are recognised by law — whether the couples were under religious, civil or traditional marriages,” he clarified.

Rita has been focusing on registering all children under five years in a special countrywide programme.

Rita says the programme has been a success because free birth certificates are issued by officers found in the offices of ward executive officers and health facilities offering maternal and child health services.

“Certificates issued at those designated points are recognised by Rita. Therefore, the certificates must be respected and accepted by all authorities,” he clarified, adding that Rita has received information that some officials are rejecting certificates with hand-written details.

“Don’t reject such certificates. In case of doubt, crosscheck with the nearest Rita office,” he clarified.

Sources:Daily News