Getting Marriage Registered
Marriage certificate is issued to the Indian citizens by Marriage Officer/Registrar of marriage, who is the District Magistrate under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 or, under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 (XXV), the Rajasthan Hindu Marriage Registration Rules 1956, etc.
The Hindu Marriage Act is applicable in cases where both husband and wife are Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs or in cases, where they have converted into any of these religions.
Whereas, if either one of the husband or wife or both are not Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs, their marriage is registered under The Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Registration time frame:
- The marriage registration must be done within 30 days from the date of marriage, under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
- The registration beyond a period of 30 days from the marriage will be registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Eligibility:
- Brides should at least 18 while grooms should be at least 21 years old, for a marriage to be registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
- If the marriage is registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, grooms and brides should both be at least 21 years old.
Benefits of Marriage Registration:
- Certificate of marriage registration is helpful in obtaining visa for the wife and the husband. Foreign countries do not recognize ceremonial marriages. They require a proof of marriage for the visa process to be completed.
- Certificate of marriage provides valuable evidence of marriage. In legal disputes between husband and wife, such as divorce, dowry, maintenance and other cases, the marriage certificate can be used as a proof of the marriage.
- It will be useful while claiming for bank deposits, life insurance, etc.
- Marriage certificate ensures that the bride and the groom are of legal age for marriage, in accordance with the country’s laws.
- Certificate of marriage can work as a legal proof while obtaining passport and other primary documents.
- Marriage certificate helps while applying for a loan as well.
- The certificate helps in availing tax exemptions, medical reimbursement, housing and employment benefits.
- The certificate helps one to receive social security, medicare and disability benefits from the government.
- The marriage certificate serves important in the process of spouse’s property inheritance in case of death of either of the partners.
- The marriage certificate will be needed in the various legal procedures like - in the process to change maiden name, etc.
The Supreme Court has directed that marriages must be registered to consider them legitimate, respective of the caste, creed or religion.
Application Forms:
Under different marriage acts the prescribed application form is to be filled-up for marriage registration purpose. The application form is available at the District Magistrate office.
Documents Checklist:
- Date of birth of the bride and the groom
- Address proof of both the bride and the groom
- Date and place where marriage is solemnized
- Marriage affidavit from the priest
- Marriage application form duly signed by both the husband and the wife
- Age certificate (matriculation mark sheet/birth certificate/passport)
- 2 passport size photographs of the husband and the wife
- Residence certificate of both the bride and the groom such as ration card, etc.
- Marriage Card (optional)
All the documents must be attested by a gazetted officer.
Validity:
Marriage certificate remains valid until the marriage remains.
Fee:
A fee may be charged for issuing a marriage certificate.
Procedure:
After getting the filled application from the bride and groom, the Registrar of Marriage issues a one month notice to the bride's as well as groom’s parents for any claims and objections. A copy of the notice is also pasted on the notice board. If no claims or objections are received from both the parties, then within one-month, the Registrar registers the marriage under the Marriage Act in the presence of the couple and 3 witnesses. The marriage certificate is then issued to the couple.
How to apply for a marriage certificate?
There are 2 ways through which you can apply for a marriage certificate. These have been described explicitly below:
- Apply through the CSC Centre: CSC Centre or the Citizen Service Centre is the place you need to approach to obtain any certificate or document related to the government. You can locate your nearest CSC centre through the following link:
csc.gov.in/locator/csc.aspx - Apply through Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Tehsildar’s office/Revenue Department/District Collector’s Office: Approach your nearest Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Tehsildar’s office/Revenue Department/District Collector’s Office. These people should be able to guide you in the right direction.
Online Registration for Marriage:
A resident can approach the nearest e-mitra centre to complete formalities required for obtaining a marriage certificate.
The district administration of Jaipur has taken the online route so as to make the process of marriage registration simpler. Under this new system, e-mitra centres will become the collection point of all relevant documents required for getting a marriage certificate. Any couple interested in getting their marriage registered will now have to provide the copy of various documents substantiating the proof of marriage to the person present at the e-mitra centre.
The documents would be scanned and sent to the concerned authority in the district administration. Once the formalities are completed, the person applying for the registration would get a message on his mobile number, informing him about the date and time of his appointment at the collectorate.
On the designated date, the married couple should carry the original documents to the collectorate. Once the officer meets them personally, the registration process will be completed.
This facility will be available only for couples living in the country and NRI’s won’t be able to benefit from it.
The below link can be visited to view the marriage registration form:
http://ibs.rajasthan.gov.in/pdf/679/Form%20for%20Registration%20of%20Marriage%20.pd
Special Marriage Act Form:
