Marriage certificate

Eligibility Criteria for Marriage Certificate

To obtain a Marriage Certificate, certain eligibility criteria must be met as per the Indian law. Whether you are registering a love marriage, an arranged marriage, or an inter-caste or inter-region marriage, the following criteria apply:

• Minimum Age Requirement:
  The bride must be at least 18 years old.
  The groom must be at least 21 years old.
• Consent of Both Parties: Both individuals must freely consent to the marriage. Forced or coerced marriages are not valid under the law.
• Unmarried Status: Both parties must be unmarried at the time of registration. If either party has been previously married, they must provide proof of divorce or the death certificate of the former spouse.
• No Close Relationship: The couple must not be related within the prohibited degrees of relationship as defined under the law.
• Sound Mind: Both individuals must be of sound mind, meaning they are capable of understanding the nature of the marriage contract and consenting voluntarily.
• Registration Process: The marriage must be registered with the relevant marriage registrar, either under the Special Marriage Act or the Hindu Marriage Act, depending on the religion and preferences of the couple.
• Foreign Nationals (if applicable): If one of the individuals is a foreign national, additional documentation and proof of their legal status in India may be required.

Documents Required for Marriage Certificate

The following documents are typically required for the registration of a marriage and obtaining a marriage certificate:

• Proof of Age: Valid birth certificates, school leaving certificates, or passports for both the bride and groom to confirm their ages.
• Proof of Address: Valid Aadhar cards, Voter IDs, passports, or utility bills to verify the residential address of both individuals.
• Affidavit of Marriage: A sworn affidavit from both parties stating their legal age, that they are marrying of their own free will, and confirming they are not related within the prohibited degrees of relationship.
• Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs of the bride and groom (usually two each).
• Witnesses: At least two witnesses are required to be present during the marriage registration process. They should carry valid identification documents (e.g., Aadhar card, passport, or Voter ID).
• Divorce/Death Certificate (if applicable): If either party was previously married, they must provide the divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse.
• Nationality Proof (if applicable): If one of the parties is a foreign national, their passport and visa/residence proof will be required.
• Application for Marriage Registration: A completed application form for marriage registration needs to be submitted to the marriage registrar.

Marriage Certificate Registration Process/h3>

The process of obtaining a marriage certificate involves several steps, depending on the type of marriage and the law under which the registration is done (e.g., Special Marriage Act or Hindu Marriage Act). Here’s an overview of the process:

• Marriage Application Submission: The couple must submit a marriage application at the local marriage registrar’s office, along with the required documents.
• Notice of Intended Marriage: A notice of the intended marriage is displayed at the registrar’s office for a period of 30 days. During this time, any objections to the marriage can be raised.
• Document Verification: The registrar verifies the submitted documents to ensure that the couple meets the eligibility requirements.
• Marriage Ceremony: After the 30-day notice period and in the absence of objections, the couple must appear before the registrar, along with two witnesses. Both parties confirm their consent to the marriage, and the marriage is officially registered.
• Marriage Certificate Issuance: After the marriage is registered, the couple will receive the Marriage Certificate. This certificate serves as the official proof of the marriage and is legally recognized for all official purposes.