To get a marriage certificate in India, you need to follow these steps:
- Register your marriage: The first step to getting a marriage certificate in India is to register your marriage. In India, there are two laws that govern the registration of marriages – the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Special Marriage Act, 1954. You need to register your marriage under the relevant act at the local Registrar of Marriage’s office or the Sub-Registrar’s office.
If you are getting married under the Hindu Marriage Act, you need to be a Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh, and your marriage should be solemnized as per Hindu customs and traditions. If you are getting married under the Special Marriage Act, you can belong to any religion, and your marriage should be solemnized as per the Special Marriage Act.
- Gather required documents: Once you have decided under which act you want to register your marriage, you need to gather the required documents. The documents required for a marriage certificate vary from state to state in India. However, some of the common documents required include:
- Proof of age: This can be your birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or any other government-issued document that shows your age.
- Address proof: This can be your Aadhaar card, voter ID card, passport, or any other government-issued document that shows your address.
- Photographs of the bride and groom: You will need to submit recent passport-size photographs of both the bride and groom.
- Copy of the marriage invitation card: This is required as proof that the marriage has taken place.
In addition to these documents, you may also be required to submit a few other documents depending on the state where you are getting the marriage registered.
- Fill in the application form: Once you have gathered all the required documents, you need to fill in the application form for the marriage certificate. The application form is available at the Registrar of Marriage’s office or the Sub-Registrar’s office. The form will require you to fill in details such as your name, age, occupation, and address, as well as details about your spouse.
- Submit the application: After filling in the application form, you need to submit it along with all the required documents at the Registrar of Marriage’s office or the Sub-Registrar’s office. You may also be required to pay a fee for the application. The fee varies from state to state.
- Verification of documents: Once you have submitted the application, the Registrar of Marriage or the Sub-Registrar will verify the documents submitted by you and conduct an inquiry to ensure that the marriage is genuine. The inquiry may involve interviewing the bride and groom, their parents, and witnesses to the marriage.
- Issue of marriage certificate: Once the verification process is completed, the marriage certificate will be issued to you. The time taken for the issuance of the certificate may vary from state to state. In some states, the certificate may be issued on the same day, while in others, it may take a few days.
It is important to note that the process of getting a marriage certificate may vary from state to state in India. It is advisable to check with the local Registrar of Marriage’s office or the Sub-Registrar’s office for the specific requirements and procedures applicable in your state.