Family
The Civil Code's first part, with polygamy elected at marriage
Family law sits in the first part of the Gabonese Civil Code. Marriage may be monogamous or polygamous by election, and the 2021 reforms removed the husband's status as head of household and equalised authority over children and property.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Tribunaux de première instance hear family matters; civil registrars celebrate marriage.
- Deadline — Birth registration: one month
- Deadline — Minimum age of marriage: 18 for both spouses since 2021
Governing law
- Code civil gabonais, première partie
- Loi n° 006/2021 modifying the Civil Code — equality of spouses
- Loi n° 004/2021 relative à l'élimination des violences faites aux femmes
In practice
The 2021 amendments were among the more substantial family-law reforms in central Africa, removing the provisions that made the husband head of the household and required a wife's obedience, and giving both spouses equal say over the matrimonial home.