Proof by Certificate of Marriage

Proof by Certificate of Marriage

In accordance with Art. 94 of the Revised Family code, marriage is proved by producing the certificate of marriage drawn up at the time or after the celebration of the marriage in accordance with the Law. Even though there is no definition of the tem, a certificate of marriage is that which is issued by the officer of Civil status who is authorized to record the marriage in accordance with Art.28 of the code.

It may be recalled from the  previous discussion  made under chapter two that certificate of marriage shall be issued for all from of marriage  up on their registration by officer of Civil status or in has default by the competent organ authorized for this purpose  Hence, the certificate of marriage, inter alia, indicates the form of marriage under which the celebration was carried out. In other words, The certificate of marriage as a primary documentary evidence proves the type of the celebration of the marriage, the fact that indicates the existence of a marriage.

Presently   the most  widely  established  practice  in most parts of the country  is that the officer of  a particular   municipality   instead of  officer of  civil  status  issues  certificate  of marriage only  when  the  marriage is celebrated  in accordance   with the formalities   of civil  marriage . Registration of and issuance of certificate   marriage for other forms of  marriage  are not  a common  practice . Further more  courts usually  accept   marriage licenses  issued by  religious institutions  and written    documents of  customary  marriages  as a proof  for the  existence of a valid marriage .

Proof  by  Possession  of  status

Proof  by  marriage applicable  in default of certificate  of marriage. As is  stated  under  Art.  95 of the   R.F.C  when  it is difficult  to prove  marriage by  producing  the certificate  of marriage due   to non  registration or  if any  loss  of  such  register    marriage  shall be proved  by the possession  of status of spouse .

Art.  96- Possession of status (1)  Definition   

A man  and a woman are  deemed  to have  the possession of status  of spouses when  they  mutually  consider them selves  and live as  spouses  and  when  they are  considered  and treated as such  by  their  family  and the community .

 From  the reading of the above  cited provisions  two  essential elements of possession of status  may be  pointed   out  from  the definition . These elements are:-

·         The fact that  a man and a woman  mutually  consider  themselves  and live  as spouses and;

·        The fact  that they  are  considered   and treated   treated  as  such  by their  family and the    community .

There for the existence of possession  of status  would be established  only  when  both  of  the above  of the  above elements are  proved   by reliable  evidence. In   proving   the first  element worth   noting is the fact   that unilateral  consideration of the status    does not  amount to   its   existence .  Where  a person alleging the   existence  of marriage proves  the possession of status  spouse  in  accordance  with the preceding  provisions the court   may  presume that    marriage  has been  concluded .

 Nevertheless, it should be borne   in mind that this second mode of  proof   of marriage is  entirely      different   from the first   mode of proof . the   distinction  lies  in the point   that celebration  of marriage is not indicated  as one  of the requirements to  prove  marriage by possession of status which  is the case  for  the first  mode  of proof.  Furthermore  despite  the  silence of he   revised  family code  as to  the  nature  our type of evidence in  proof  of existence   pf the status . Art .700  (1)  of the civil  code   as well as  Art.  109 (1)  &  (2)  of the family code of the SNNP  regional  states  provide    for  proof  by  producing   four witnesses   who were  present at  the conclusion   of the marriage . The   presumption of the status   so established  may be  rebutted  by  producing any   kind  of  reliable evidence  But  under   the civil  code  and that of   SNNP, the  possession of the status   established   may  be  contested    by  producing  four   witnesses .

 The  third  mode  of proof  which  is applicable  only  under the civil  code is proof  by act of notoriety  . In   terms of its significance this  mode of proof  is the last  mode resorted ot in default of the aforementioned  modes of proof . This  is clearly  provided under  Art.701 & 702  of the   code that in default of possession of status   or where it is contested , the  existence  of the marriage  is proved by  an act  of notoriety     approved  by the court where  such  mode of proof  is authorized  by the court .