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Civil Registration

Married Persons Property Regime

Overview
  • In accordance with Section 3(1) of the Married Persons Property Act marriage solemnised between spouses is outright out of community of property and community of profit and loss or any liabilities or privileges therefrom.
  • However, the Act provides that spouses may choose to contract to be in community of property and community of profit and loss or any liabilities or privileges therefrom by signing an instrument to that effect.
  • The instrument must be signed by each of the spouses before solemnisation of their marriage and in the presence of two persons one of whom shall be an administrative officer as a witness to the choice made.
  • For the signed instrument to be valid it must be registered in the Deeds Register (Attorney General’s Office) within 90 days. If not registered within this period the instrument will not be valid hence the marriage will be presumed to be out of community as at Section 3(1).
Who is eligible?

All married couples who solemnise their marriage according to the common law.

How do I get this service?

In order to access this service, applicants must follow the following steps:

  • Fill in the application form selecting the married property regime
What supporting documents are required?
  • National Identity document for citizens
  • Passport for Non-citizens
How long will this service take?

The service takes 90 days for the Instrument to be collected from the office.

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

The service free is P20.00

Marriage Registration

Overview

According to the Marriage Act No. 18 of 2001, Chapter 29:01, any marriage that takes place within Botswana must be registered except marriages contracted in accordance with any customary law of Botswana or Muslim, Hindu or any other Religious right.

Why do you have to register a marriage?

  • For national statistical purposes, to cater for development
  • Evidence of existence of marriage having been legally solemnised
Who is eligible?
  • Anybody over the age of 18 years
  • Anybody below the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. A guardian/parent must authorise in writing the subject to contract to such marriage.
How do I get this service?

In order to access this service, applicants must follow the following steps.

  • Register intention to marry with the office stating whether solemnisation will be after Banns or Special Marriage Licence
  • Marriage notice will be floated for 21 days
  • Solemnisation of marriage at the District Administration office or by a Pastor
What supporting documents are required?
  • National Identity Card (Omang) or passport for foreign nationals
  • Letter of consent from parents if you are under 18 years of age
  • Letter of confirmation from Kgosi that one is not married, or a letter of confirmation from their country of origin that they are not married for foreign nationals
  • Statement from declarant and a certified copy of their identity document
How long will this service take?

The solemnisation takes after 21 days.

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?
  • After Banns/ Normal P40.00
  • Special Marriage Licence P150.00 + P 40.00 = P190.00

Charge d' Affaires

Overview

A Charge d' Affaires must call on the Chief of Protocol after his/her arrival in Gaborone.  The Protocol Department will then arrange a meeting with the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation for Presentation of his / her Letters of Appointment/Introduction.

Theme for this service
Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana,

Ministry submitting this Service

Application for civil registration documents abroad (Omang, National Passport, birth and death certificate, police clearance certificates, validation of driver’s licence)

Overview

The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation facilitates applications by Batswana residing outside the country in diaspora through provision of access to services provided by other line Ministries. 

These include facilitating applications for / renewal of Omang; National Passport; birth and death certificates; validation of driver’s licences; and the repatriation of deceased persons to Botswana. 

The Ministry also assists foreign nationals who are former residents of the Republic of Botswana with issuance of police clearances certificates.

Who is eligible?
  • Batswana in diaspora
  • Students
  • Citizens on international travel
  • Foreign nationals who are former residents in Botswana
How do I get this service?
  • Contact the nearest diplomatic mission, or the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation
  • Fill in the required forms.
  • Provide required documentation.
What supporting documents are required?
  • Birth Certificate (letter from chief in absence of Birth Certificate, and hospital notification of birth)
  • Death certificate
  • Copy of expired or lost National Identification card (Omang)
  • Copy of expired or lost National passport
  • Hospital notification of birth
  • Drivers Licence
  • Police clearance certificate
How long will this service take?

Ten (10) working days

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

Varies depending on the service

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana, International affairs, Botswana Embassy, High Commission, Protocol and Consular Services,

Keywords

Birth certificate, death certificate, driver’s licence, National Identity, Omang, passport, civil registration, citizenship, hospital notification, Birth, death, citizenship, civil registration, licence, certificate, immigration

Ministry submitting this Service

Women’s Economic Empowerment Guidelines

Overview

Still under Review.

 

Theme for this service
Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana.

 

Keywords

Women’s economic empowerment guidelines, Women Economic Empowerment Project, seed money, income generating projects, groups that include both women and men.

Synonyms

Female funding, female specific funding, groups of men and women, start up money.

Gender Equality

Overview

Women generally carry heavier economic and social burdens then men when it comes to HIV/AIDS. Due to historical and cultural factors, women tend to be the caregivers for both the sick and those who have been orphaned by the epidemic. Additionally, women who are living with HIV/AIDS often suffer two types of discrimination. First, there is discrimination based on their gender, and second, there is discrimination based on them being a Person Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Thus, the issue of gender equality deserves special attention. Gender inequality, no doubt, leads to the spread of HIV/AIDS because it both reduces a woman’s control over her life, and increases her vulnerability to HIV infection [UNDP Bots Report, p.14]. Thus, systemic gender inequality is a major factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The right to gender equality means that all forms of discrimination based on gender should be prohibited. In the context of HIV/AIDS, it means the following:

  • Access to health care.
  • Equality before the law.
  • Modification of cultural and traditional practices that disadvantage women.
  • Concrete measures should be taken to ensure the respect of women’s autonomy regarding issues such as control of both sexuality and sexual activity.
Theme for this service
Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana.

Keywords

Gender equality, HIV/AIDS, HIV, AIDS, women, epidemic, discrimination, Person Living with HIV/AIDS, PLWHA, vulnerability, systemic gender inequality, health care, law, sexuality, sexual activity.

Synonyms

Gender rights, feminism, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, pandemic, female, sex.

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