Various versions of the Marriage Act, 1961, exist:
- as enacted on 21 April 1961 and as came into force on 1 January 1962.
- as amended on 28 February 1964 by the Marriage Amendment Act, 1964.
- as amended on 28 August 1964 by the Black Laws Amendment Act, 1964.
- as amended on 27 March 1968 by the Marriage Amendment Act, 1968.
- as amended on 1 February 1972 by the Marriage Amendment Act, 1970.
- as amended on 12 April 1972 by the Marriage Amendment Act, 1972.
- as amended on 4 April 1973 by the Marriage Amendment Act, 1973.
- as amended on 1 August 1978 by the Second Black Laws Amendment Act, 1978.
- as amended on 8 January 1982 by the Marriage Amendment Act, 1981.
- as amended on 1 November 1984 by the Matrimonial Property Act, 1984.
- as amended on 23 April 1986 by the Marriages, Births and Deaths Amendment Act, 1986.
- as amended on 1 February 1987 by the Child Care Act, 1983.
- as amended on 13 July 1990 by the Application of Certain Laws to Namibia Abolition Act, 1990.
- as amended on 28 June 1991 by the Population Registration Act Repeal Act, 1991.
- as amended on 1 October 1992 by the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992, and currently in force.