Documents Required for Marriage Registration & Certificate in India

In India, every marriage must be registered by Indian Law. This is mandatory for the marriage to be accepted legally. Such registration also helps resolve issues related to inheritance and legal disputes. Therefore, registering the marriage is crucial whether it is a court marriage or a religious ceremony.

In India, you can register your marriage under various laws based on the ways the marriage has been performed. These include court marriages, religious marriages, and those under the Special Marriage Act. 

So, let’s learn more about the essential documents required for each type of marriage registration.

Table of Contents

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General Documents Required for Marriage Registration

For any marriage registration, a basic set of documents is mandatory. These documents help establish the legitimacy of the marriage. These generally include the following:

Document Type Details
Application Form Jointly signed by both husband and wife.
Proof of Age Birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or passport. As per the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 and the Special Marriage Act of 1954, the husband must be at least 21 years old, and the wife must be at least 18 years old.
Proof of Address A ration card, voter ID, Aadhaar card, or electricity bill can serve as residential proof.
Affidavit Stating the marital status of both the bride and groom (unmarried, divorced, or widowed).
Photographs Recent passport-sized photographs of both parties (usually 2).
Marriage Invitation Card Optional.
Witnesses Two witnesses are required with their identity proof and signatures.
Divorce Decree or Death Certificate For individuals who were previously married.

However, it is necessary to note that the documents required to register a marriage in India differ slightly depending on the state.

 

Documents Required for Court Marriage (Special Marriage Act)

Court marriages are conducted under the Special Marriage Act 1954. The following documents are required for this purpose:

 

Document Type Details
Proof of Age Birth certificate or passport.
Proof of Address Aadhaar card, voter ID, or passport.
Photographs Recent passport-sized photographs of both parties (usually 2).
Affidavit Declaring marital status (unmarried/divorced/widowed) and affirming no prohibited relationship.
Divorce Decree or Death Certificate For individuals who were previously married.
No Objection Certificate (NOC) Required for foreign nationals.
Witnesses Witnesses must submit proof of identity, a PAN card, and passport-sized photographs.

Documents Required for Religious Marriage Registration

Religious marriages are registered under personal laws such as the Hindu Marriage Act, Muslim Marriage Act, etc. After the religious ceremony, registration requires the following documents:

 

Document Type Details
Marriage Certificate from Religious Authority Provided by the religious institution (temple, mosque, church).
Proof of Age Birth certificate or school leaving certificate.
Proof of Address Ration card, passport, or utility bill.
Photographs Recent photographs of the married couple.
Witnesses Two or more witnesses with valid ID proof and photographs.
Affidavit Declaring the marital status of both individuals.
Proof of Nationality Required for both individuals to confirm their nationality.

Documents Required for Gazette Certificate After Marriage

If one of the spouses wants to change their name post-marriage, they will need a Gazette Notification. The following documents are required during the process:

Document Type Details
Marriage Certificate Provided by the Registrar of Marriages.
Affidavit A document declaring the change of name and specifying the new name.
Identity Proof Aadhaar card or passport along with photocopies.
Proof of Address Recent utility bill, voter ID, or Aadhaar card to verify residence.
Newspaper Publication A copy of the announcement regarding the name change published in two newspapers (one national and one local).
Passport-size Photographs Recent photographs of the individual requesting the name change.
Demand Draft A payment method for the associated fees of the name change application.
Cover Letter A letter explaining the request for a name change, including pertinent details.

Documents Required for Marriage Licence

A marriage licence is necessary for those seeking to marry under the legal framework of the Special Marriage Act. For this, the couple must submit the following documents:

 

Document Type Details
Application Form Completed and signed by both parties involved.
Proof of Identity Identity verification can be done using an Aadhaar card, passport, or voter ID.
Proof of Address A recent utility bill, voter ID, or Aadhaar card can be used to confirm the residential address.
Proof of Age A birth certificate or school leaving certificate is required to verify age.
Affidavit A document stating marital status and confirming eligibility for marriage.
Photographs Recent passport-sized photographs of the couple are needed.
Marriage Proof Evidence such as a wedding invitation or other documentation of marriage solemnisation is required.

 

Thus, Indian marriages must be registered for the couples to be considered legal. Registration not only resolves legal conflicts but also gives the partners rights. Knowledge of the documents required for marriage registration will help speed up the registration process, regardless of how the couple decides to perform the marriage.

 

FAQs about Documents Required to Register Marriage in India

What documents are required for marriage registration in India?

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The following documents are required for marriage registration in India:

  • Application Form
  • Proof of Age
  • Proof of address
  • Affidavit
  • Photographs
  • Marriage Invitation Card
  • Witnesses

What are the rules regarding the minimum age for marriage registration in India?

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For marriage registration in India, the bride's minimum age must be 18, and the groom's minimum age must be 21. 

 

Why is a marriage certificate important?

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A marriage certificate serves as a legal proof of the marriage. It is often required on various occasions, such as when adding a spouse to health insurance, changing the last names, applying for a passport, or applying for joint loans. 

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in India?

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It takes about 15 days to get a marriage certificate under the Hindu Marriage Act and about 60 days under the Special Marriage Act. 

Can parents be witnesses for marriage registration in India?

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Yes, parents can be witnesses for marriage registration in India. However, they will not be considered as witnesses if they object to the marriage.

Is a marriage considered valid if it is not registered?

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An unregistered marriage is still considered valid in India. However, difficulties may be faced while proving the legal existence of the marriage. 

What happens if my marriage is not registered?

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Not registering a marriage doesn't make it invalid. However, you may face difficulties adding a spouse to health insurance, applying for a passport or applying for joint loans. 

Other Important Articles about Marriage Certificate

How to Apply For a Marriage Certificate in Telangana?
How to Check Marriage Certificate Online?
How to Apply For a Marriage Certificate in Delhi?
How to Apply For a Marriage Certificate in Odisha?
NRI Marriage Registration in India
How to Apply for a Marriage Certificate in Bihar?
How to Apply for Marriage Certificate in Punjab?
Apply for a Marriage Certificate in Karnataka
How to Apply For a Marriage Certificate in Tamil Nadu?
How to Apply for Marriage Certificate in Madhya Pradesh?
How to Apply For a Marriage Certificate in Mumbai?
Documents Required for Marriage Registration
How to Apply for Marriage Certificate in Andhra Pradesh
How to Apply for a Marriage Certificate in Rajasthan?
How to Apply For a Marriage Certificate in Bangalore?
Court Marriage Registration in India
How to Apply for Marriage Certificate in Uttarakhand?
How to Apply for Marriage Certificate in Gujarat?
How to Get a Marriage Certificate in Haryana?
Inter-Religion Marriage Registration Procedure in India
How to Apply For a Marriage Certificate in Kerala?

Disclaimer

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  • This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
  • All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
  • Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.

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