What is the Marriage Registration Procedure in India?

The marriage certificate is an essential legal document that shows the couple’s union. It can be registered under two special laws made compulsory after 2006 in India. In addition, getting a marriage certificate helps you avail yourself of certain governmental benefits.

So, let’s explore the registration procedure, its importance, eligibility criteria, and other relevant details. Scroll down to learn more!

A marriage certificate is an essential legal document that officially certifies the marriage between two people. It contains essential details, such as the marriage ceremony’s time and place, the signatures of the officiant, witnesses, and parties involved.

To register a marriage, the bride must be over 18, and the groom must be over 21.

A marriage certificate is a very crucial document for married couples that serves as legal proof of their union. Apart from this, it also smoothens various government document application processes, such as:

• Application for driving license
• Insurance claims
• Adoption
• Application for passport
• Application for divorce
• Getting medical benefits
• Application for job 
• Filing Income Tax returns 
• Application for visa 
• Getting a new bank account opened

Follow the steps below to apply for a marriage certificate in India:

• Step 1: Visit your official state government portal for marriage registration.
• Step 2: Tap on “Register Your Marriage”.
• Step 3: Select whether your marriage falls under the Hindu or Special Marriage Act.
• Step 4: Opt for the nearest marriage officer or Hindu marriage registrar.
• Step 5: Complete the online application form with the proper details of both partners and upload the required documents, such as photographs.
• Step 6: Pay the required fees.
• Step 7: After the marriage, you need to upload a photo with your partner and the marriage officer.
• Step 8: A digitally signed marriage certificate will be sent to your registered email address once processed.

• Step 1: Locate your nearest Marriage Registrar’s office based on where the marriage occurred or where you or your partner reside.
• Step 2: Get an application form and follow the guidance on the prerequisites.
• Step 3: Fill out the form and submit all the essential and required documents along with passport-sized photographs.
• Step 4: Pay the required fees, which may vary from state to state.
• Step 5: The officer will verify all the submitted documents and decide the date of registration for a marriage certificate.

The eligibility criteria to apply for a marriage certificate online are:

• The bride must be 18 years old, and the groom must be 21 years of age.
• The couple must already perform the nuptial rituals.
• They should be Indian citizens.
• The marriage must fall under either the Hindu Marriage Act or the Special Marriage Act.

Marriage registration is nothing but officially recording a marriage under the government, which will help you obtain a marriage certificate. If the couple does not fulfil the criteria of the Hindu Marriage Act, they should check the criteria of the Special Marriage Act.

However, an unregistered marriage can result in several legal problems, such as disputes over property rights and complications in child custody matters.

1. Social Security

2. Inheritance Rights

3. Tax Advantages

4. Joint Property Ownership

5. Work Permits

6. Entitlements

7. Prevention of Child Marriage

8. Legal Recognition

To register your marriage in India, you need to have the following documents:

• Age Proof for the bride and the groom.
• Identity proof for the bride and the groom.
• Address proof for the bride and the groom.
• Original marriage invitation card.
• Marriage registration application form.
• Passport-sized photographs of the bride and the groom.
• Details of the witness during the registration process.
• An affidavit that states the marital status and other required details.

Court Marriage Registration Procedure in India

The Court marriage Registration procedure is governed by the Special Marriage Act 1954. You have to go through the following steps to complete the procedure.

• Step 1: Present a notice to the marriage officer, which will be displayed for 30 days to allow for any objections. If there is any objection, the marriage officer will investigate.  Otherwise, the marriage ceremony will take place on the decided date.
• Step 2: After the marriage ceremony, the marriage registrar will issue the certificate within a few days. The complete process may take around 30 to 45 days. 

However, you can also apply for the marriage registration online through the following steps: 

• Step 1: Search for the official website of the Judicial Department.
  
• Step 2: Click on it and enter all the required details of the bride and the groom. You must fill out every field along with the marriage officer's details.
• Step 3: Review the details and click on ‘Apply’.

Inter-Religion Marriage Registration in India

The steps to register an inter-religion marriage are mentioned in the following section:

• Step 1: The first step is to give a written notice of the marriage to the district marriage officer 30 days before the marriage. 
• Step 2: After the marriage notice is published, any person can object to the marriage, which can be made within 30 days after the publication.
• Step 3: If the marriage officer upholds an objection, the bride and groom must appeal to the district court to resolve it.
• Step 4: The marriage can take place in any form or traditional practice that the bride and the groom wish to follow. Apart from this, both of them have to say: “ I (A), take (B) to be my lawful wife or husband.”
• Step 5: After the marriage has occurred and all the rituals have been performed, the officer will issue the marriage certificates with the signatures of the bride, groom, officer, and the three witnesses.

NRI Marriage Registration Procedure in India

Owing to the increase in fraudulent marriages, the Indian government has made it compulsory to register all marriages between the NRI or OCIs and the Indian citizens. The process for registration is almost the same as that for Indian marriages. However, you must submit some extra documents, which are mentioned below:

• Valid Passport: Your identification document.
• Valid Visa: Proof that you’re legally staying in India.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC): Approval from your embassy for the marriage.
• Residential Proof for NRI Partner: A document to verify your address.
• Age Proof: Documents that confirm your age eligibility.
• Photographs: Usually, you’ll need about eight passport-sized photos.
• Additional Affidavit: A statement confirming your marital status and nationality.

Hindu Marriage Registration Procedure in India

• Step 1: Select a specific temple and decide the date and time of the religious ceremony. This has to be done 30 days before the marriage by submitting the “Notice of Intended Marriage” to the Marriage Registrar of the concerned district.
• Step 2: Gather all the required documents, such as age proof, identity proof, and passport-sized photographs.
  
• Step 3: Perform the religious ceremony and get done with the marriage in the presence of a priest or an authorised person. 
• Step 4: Gather and fill out the application form along with the temple-issued marriage certificate.
• Step 5: The Marriage Registrar will verify all the documents and register the marriage by providing a marriage certificate.

Muslim Marriage Registration Procedure in India

• Step 1: Gather all the necessary documents, such as the marriage registration application form, proof of date of birth, and address proof.
• Step 2: Visit the marriage registrar’s office along with your wife/husband and the three witnesses.
• Step 3: A 30-day notice will be issued. 
• Step 4: If no objection is received during the objection period, the bride and groom can register their marriage. 
• Step 5: After 30 days of issuing the notice, the marriage will be solemnised by the marriage registrar, the husband and wife, and the three witnesses.