On November 25, 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Liberia officially launched a new set of certificates for traditional marriage, divorce, bachelorhood, and spinsterhood at an event held at Capitol Hill in Monrovia. The launch was presided over by Acting Minister Samuel F. Brown, who represented the Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis S. Nyumalin, while he was on an official international mission. During the event, Mr. Brown expressed gratitude to the Partners in Progress (PIP) for their ongoing support and underscored the importance of the initiative, stating that it marked another historical moment for the MIA and the country.
The launch also featured remarks from the Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, Cllr. Losene F. Bility, who provided an overview of the new certificates and their implications for Liberia’s legal and social landscapes. Cllr. Bility noted the historical significance of marriage documentation in Liberia, recalling the first recorded marriage on March 23, 1940. The newly issued certificates incorporate advanced security features, including decentralized elements for all 15 counties, independent signatories, and barcoding for the bachelorhood and spinsterhood certificates. These enhancements are designed to ensure the authenticity and security of the civil documents.
The MIA faced a significant challenge earlier in the year when it discovered a critical shortage of marriage certificates, with less than 200 copies available. Due to limited funding for printing, the Ministry sought partnerships with business entities and negotiated the production of 20,000 copies of various certificates for USD 40,000. The MIA’s press release highlighted the urgency of this project, noting that the business partners had not yet received any payments for these important legal documents.
In a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the new certificates, the release specified that marriage certificates would be priced at USD 75.00, with USD 50.00 allocated to Local Administration and USD 25.00 directed to the MIA’s escrow account. Divorce certificates would be set at USD 100.00, comprising USD 75.00 for Local Administration and USD 25.00 for the MIA account. Additionally, bachelorhood and spinsterhood certificates would each be charged at USD 25.00, to be paid into the MIA’s account. Various civil documents, including errata, certified statements, and non-discovery letters, would be available for a fee of USD 50.00 through the Legal Bureau.
Through this initiative, the MIA aims to enhance the civil documentation process across Liberia, reinforcing its commitment to contribute to the national budget and ensuring access to vital civil documents for all citizens. The launch of these new certificates signifies a concerted effort to improve legal frameworks and societal structures surrounding marriage and family dynamics in Liberia, reflecting ongoing progress in governance and public service delivery.
Overall, the new certificates stand as a transformative step for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Republic of Liberia, providing citizens with valuable and secure documentation while also addressing existing shortages in the availability of marriage certificates. This venture underscores the importance of partnerships, innovative solutions, and effective resource management in building a more efficient and reliable civil documentation system for the benefit of all Liberians.
