The 1974 Muslim Marriages and Divorces (Registration) Act regulates Muslim marriages in Bangladesh, but specific circulars restrict marriage and divorce registration for refugees. The Government of Bangladesh released an administrative circular in 2002 restricting refugees from registering their marriages under the 1974 Act since its scope is confined to Bangladeshi citizens. The circular established a distinct procedure for registered Rohingya refugees, leaving out non-registered refugees. After the 2017 influx, the circular was applied more broadly.
In 2018, the Government of Bangladesh delegated the Camp in Charge (CIC) to register and maintain the marriage records of refugees in collaboration with UNHCR. These government officials monitor service providers, coordinate with Bangladesh security forces, and supervise the support staff working in the camps.
A CIC holds significant administrative authority over its camp and acts as an executive magistrate under the Mobile Courts Act, with the power to resolve disputes and implement punishments. The implementation of CiC-officiated marriage procedures started in mid-2020, and marriage regulation became subject to Bangladeshi law, reinforced by UNHCR registration systems and other bureaucratic practices. Before then, marriages in the camps followed religious stipulations and were unregistered.
How to Get a Marriage Certificate?
You must apply for a Marriage Certificate directly through the Joint Government and UNHCR registration process and CiC will issue it. The process is now simple and only involves the officials directly concerned with registration issues.
After completing the religious formalities, you will make the application for a Marriage Certificate at the Registration Appointment Desks (RAD) in your CiC's office. The RAD is managed by a UNHCR staff member sitting at all CiC offices at least once every week, according to their schedule.
The staff will help you fill out the application, print it, and submit it free of charge to the CIC. The UNHCR staff will also liaise with the CiC staff to support the approval process. The UNHCR staff will give you an indication of the processing time when you present your application. You can continue to check with the staff for updated feedback, as they are directly involved in the activities at the Registration Site assigned for your camp.
Then you must go to the Registration Site only on the day indicated in your appointment slip. If you go earlier, you will not be attended to. They may call you to reschedule your appointment to an earlier or later date. In those cases, they will update your appointment slip, or where not possible, the Registration Site will have your new date in the admission database.
Require Attached Documents to Apply
Groom and Bride Witnesses, FCN Cards of their families, Smart Cards of Guardians and two witnesses from each side, PP size Photo of Groom and Bride.
Marriages between Bangladeshis and Rohingya
In 2013, the Cox's Bazar district administration proposed a marriage ban between the Rohingya and Bangladeshis, which was enacted by the Bangladeshi Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs in 2014. The ban states that "strict punitive actions shall be taken against the marriage registrars who will register the marriage of any Rohingya in Bangladesh". The law also punishes up to seven years in prison for any Bangladeshi found to have married a Rohingya. The ministry reiterated the ban and warned all marriage registrars across the country during the 2017 influx.
if you are unsure where to find information, ask a Site Management volunteer or a Community Outreach Member. You can also reach UNHCR for any concerns and/or complaints through:
Email address: bgdcoprt@unhcr.org
Call UNHCR Helpline: 16670. Calling is free of charge.
ALL Government and UNHCR Registration Services are FREE of charge.
Need any specific information, contact us –
Email: Info.Sheba@rescue.org WhatsApp (message only): +8801810008500
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