Family
Lei da Família 2004 recognising monogamous and de facto unions with 18 as the marriage age
The Lei da Família (Lei 10/2004) governs marriage, which may be civil, religious or traditional, all requiring registration for full effect, and recognises the união de facto after one year. The Lei de Prevenção e Combate às Uniões Prematuras (Lei 19/2019) prohibits marriage under 18 without exception and criminalises facilitating it.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — Family sections of the district and provincial courts; community courts handle customary matters locally.
Governing law
- Lei da FamíliaLei 10/2004
- Lei de Prevenção e Combate às Uniões Prematuras (Lei 19/2019) — marriage age 18, no exceptions
- Lei de Promoção e Protecção dos Direitos da CriançaLei 7/2008
In practice
The 2019 statute is among the strongest anti-child-marriage laws in Africa because it removes the parental-consent exception entirely and attaches criminal liability to those who arrange such unions, responding to one of the region's highest child-marriage rates.