Answer to a question from a reader

Can I take a second wife is the first was a civil marriage?

The short answer

No, if you have a civil marriage, you are only allowed to have one marriage at a time.

The whole question

Dear Athalie

I married my first wife in a civil marriage. Can I take a second wife?

The long answer

You also cannot convert a civil marriage to a customary one.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie

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Answered on May 14, 2021, 1:24 p.m.

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