What is a letter of non-impediment?
A letter of non-impediment is an official document required by authorities when a person would like to get married in their country to one of their nationals. This document is issued to the individual by institutions such as the Department of Home Affairs or the High Commissions Office. The letter of non-impediment serves the purpose of confirming ones marital status. The letter is then valid for 6 months after it has been issued.
How do I get one?
Those who wish to get married outside of their country would need to obtain a letter of non-impediment. This letter serves as confirmation that the individual has the right and freedom to get married legally in a foreign country or in their own.

How can I apply for one in South Africa?
In South Africa, applications for the letter of non-impediment are lodged with the Department of Home Affairs or with the South African High Commissions Office. Upon your application for the document, you will be given forms to complete and then be required to pay a fee. The length of the process to approve and receive the letter is dependent on the volume of applications that the two departments are receiving. For that reason, the application for the letter of impediment may take up to 6 months to be approved.
What is the importance of the letter of impediment?
The letter of impediment is important because it is a government official document that indicates that a thorough search has been conducted on your personal credentials and that no record of marriage can be found on your name. Without this certification, people would be able to marry people in different countries without each country knowing about the marriage.
Where can I go for assistance with the translation of my international documents?
At Speak Portuguese, we offer a wide variety of services that include the translation of legal documents such as the letter of non-impediment. With a colourful team of native speaking professionals, we can help you translate any document into the language of your needs throughout the process of your application. Speak Portuguese is a full service language translation company based in Gauteng and provides Portuguese Translation service, French translation service, Spanish translation service as well as German translation service. We can help you with document such as:
- ID documents
- Visa applications
- Divorce decrees
- Marriage licences
Let us help you by providing you with high quality translations services that are accurate and promptly delivered at competitive prices.
Contact us on:
Email: info@speakportuguese.co.za | Tel: 012 348 3134 or 081 347 6060