Getting married or divorced in Mali: civil marriage, marriage certificate and divorce procedure
Town hall (civil status); civil court for divorce
In Mali, a civil marriage is celebrated at the town hall by a civil registrar, after a declaration and a fifteen-day wait. A divorce, on the other hand, can only be granted by a court. This page follows the sheets on the Government of Mali's official procedures portal.
Key points (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Marriage: the couple declares it at the town hall, and the ceremony takes place at least 15 clear days later, unless waived and if there is no objection.
- Documents: birth certificate extracts and ID cards of the future spouses, copies of the witnesses' ID cards.
- Legal fee: marriage certificate extract free (copy 100 FCFA), family booklet 1,000 FCFA; town halls may set other fees.
- Divorce: at the civil court, by mutual consent, for breakdown of married life or for fault; 20,000 FCFA deposit at the court registry.
Getting married at the town hall
The declaration. The couple goes to the town hall, to the deputy mayor in charge of civil status, who records the declaration. The marriage can be celebrated fifteen clear days later, unless the period is waived and if there is no objection.
The inquiry. During this period, the civil status officer checks, among other things, whether the man is already married and under which regime, whether the woman is already married or engaged, and whether she is a minor.
The ceremony. The marriage is celebrated by the civil registrar (the mayor or a deputy) in the presence of the spouses and witnesses. The marriage certificate extract is handed over on the spot.
| Documents | birth certificate extracts of the future spouses; their ID cards; copies of the witnesses' ID cards |
| Marriage certificate extract | free (copy: 100 FCFA) |
| Family booklet | 1,000 FCFA |
| Legal basis cited | articles 90 to 101 of law no. 06-024 of 28 June 2006 on civil status |
The sheet notes that in practice costs vary between town halls, which can set fees by council decision. Ask for the details before declaring. Since the law of 13 March 2023, Bamako is divided into seven arrondissements and the District mayor acts as civil registrar, under the conditions set by the law.
Without a birth certificate extract, start by requesting one from the civil status office. A foreigner who marries a Malian can then apply for Malian nationality by marriage.
Getting divorced
Divorce is governed by articles 325 onwards of the Code of Persons and the Family. The competent court is that of the spouses' last shared home or that of the respondent spouse. Except for mutual consent, a conciliation attempt is compulsory. The judgment is delivered in open court; an appeal to the Supreme Court suspends it.
By mutual consent. The spouses do not have to give a reason. They submit to the judge an agreement setting out the terms. No application is possible in the first six months of marriage, or if either spouse is under a protection regime. Documents: marriage certificate extract, birth certificate extracts of minor children, marriage contract if any, inventory of movable and immovable property, and a written agreement on the children's custody, education and maintenance and on the division of property.
For breakdown of married life. A spouse can apply if the couple has lived apart for three years, or if the other spouse's mental faculties have been so severely impaired for the same period that no shared life remains. The judge rejects the application if the divorce would have extremely harsh consequences for the other spouse or the children.
For fault. In cases of adultery, excesses, cruelty or serious insults, a sentence to a degrading criminal penalty, alcoholism or drug addiction, or breach of a substantial commitment. A wife can also apply if her husband refuses to provide for the household's essential needs (food, housing, clothing, medical care). The written petition goes to the judge, or to the head of the administrative district who forwards it; the judge then sets the conciliation date.
| Documents | written application, copy of the marriage certificate, children's birth certificates where relevant |
| Cost | 20,000 FCFA deposit at the court registry |
| Timeline | depends on the complexity of the case |
| Document obtained | a divorce judgment |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil marriage cost in Mali?
The marriage certificate extract is free and the family booklet costs 1,000 FCFA according to the official portal, but town halls may set other fees.
How long between the declaration and the wedding?
Fifteen clear days, unless waived and if there is no objection.
When can you divorce by mutual consent?
Not during the first six months of marriage.
How much does a divorce cost?
A 20,000 FCFA deposit at the court registry, according to the sheet, excluding any lawyer's fees.
Official sources (checked on 17 October 2026)
- Government of Mali, procedures portal, Marriage (marriage certificate extract) (French): declaration, inquiry, ceremony, documents, fees.
- Government of Mali, procedures portal, Divorce, application (French): types of divorce, competent court, documents, deposit.
- Official Journal of Mali, law no. 2023-005 of 13 March 2023 on the special status of the District of Bamako (French): civil status exercised by the District mayor.