Do not rush to get married to that person. Conduct a search on them.

By Hatmah Nalugwa Ssekaaya.

Did you know you can conduct a background search on your intended marriage partner? Yes, it is possible to conduct a background search or gather information on that man or woman you intend to get married to. This not only helps you to ensure transparency and compatibility, but also helps you to have discussions about finances, past relationships, health, and family expectations in order to build trust and a solid foundation for your marriage.

In Uganda, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) oversees marriage registration, ensuring that all marriages comply with the law. And the one important step before a marriage registration is conducting a search or verification of the intended partner’s marital status. This is particularly relevant for formalizing legal marriages under Ugandan law, such as civil, customary, or religious marriages.

Below are the simple steps that you can go through to carry out a search on your partner, and the importance of doing so:

Marital status verification:

URSB maintains a Marriage Registry, which records details of all legally registered marriages in Uganda. A search in this registry helps verify whether your intended partner is already legally married to someone else, preventing cases of bigamy (which is illegal in Uganda).

Document verification

Before registering a marriage, both parties are required to provide personal details and documentation, including identification and affidavits of no impediment to the marriage (e.g., proof of single status). This search ensures the authenticity of these claims.

Legal notice period:

For civil marriages, the law requires the URSB to publish a 21-day notice of intention to marry, during which objections can be raised by anyone with valid reasons (e.g., discovering a pre-existing marriage).

Why is this important?

But what does Islam say about verifying marital status before marriage?

In Islam, marriage is a sacred contract (Nikah) that holds significant spiritual, social, and legal importance. Therefore, transparency and mutual consent are very critical in this process, making it essential for both parties to ensure there are no impediments before entering the union. Verifying a partner’s marital status aligns with Islamic principles and serves to uphold justice, trust, and accountability.

Key principles in Islam that are relevant to partner verification

              “He who deceives us is not one of us.” (Sahih Muslim)

Ensuring a partner is not already married to someone else (unless in a permissible arrangement) or has hidden any significant matters aligns with this principle.

      “Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge.” (Qur’an 17:36)

Relevance to the Ugandan Context

In Uganda, verifying a partner’s marital status before registering a marriage, as advised by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), is consistent with Islamic principles. It helps ensure:

A message to intending couples

Muslim scholars emphasize that marriage is a trust (Amanah) and should be approached with sincerity and responsibility. Couples should seek guidance from Islamic authorities, families, and registries to ensure their union is built on a foundation of honesty and mutual respect.

How to conduct the search

Visit the URSB offices or go to their website to access the marriage registry services. Submit a formal request for a marital status search, providing necessary details about the individual. The URSB then will issue a report confirming whether the person is currently registered as married or not.

May Allah make it easy for us all.