Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
For Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists marrying by customary rites. Registration is done afterwards.
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Marry in India under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, even if you live abroad, or register a marriage that was solemnised under Hindu, Muslim or Christian law or overseas. We handle the notice, the documents and the appearance before the Marriage Officer.
A court marriage is a civil marriage with a certificate, a clear legal footing and no dependence on ritual.
A court marriage under the Special Marriage Act is open to any two adults, whatever their religion or caste. It is the usual route for interfaith couples, for couples who do not want a religious ceremony, and for NRIs and foreign nationals who need a recognised marriage certificate quickly for a visa, passport or immigration file.
Many couples also have a religious ceremony and then register the marriage legally afterwards. Whichever way you marry, we help you choose the correct law, prepare the papers and avoid delays.
The law depends on the religion of the couple and the form of marriage. This overview helps you choose.
For Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists marrying by customary rites. Registration is done afterwards.
A contract between the couple, with offer, acceptance, witnesses and mahr. Recorded in the nikahnama and registered.
For marriages where at least one party is a Christian, solemnised in a church or before a licensed registrar.
A civil marriage for any two adults, including interfaith couples, with a 30-day notice and a Marriage Officer.
For Indians marrying abroad, or a foreign national marrying an Indian citizen abroad, before an Indian Marriage Officer at the Embassy or Consulate.
Already married abroad? We register the marriage in India or at the Indian Mission, with attested documents, so it is accepted for visas, passports and property.
A Hindu marriage is solemnised under Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, by the customary rites and ceremonies of either side, which usually include the saptapadi (seven steps around the sacred fire). Once the seventh step is taken, the marriage is complete and binding.
A Muslim marriage is a civil contract under personal law.
A valid nikah requires a proposal and acceptance in the same meeting, free consent of both parties, the capacity of the parties (puberty and sound mind), two witnesses and a mahr (dower) fixed by agreement. The terms are recorded in the nikahnama, which should state the mahr and any conditions agreed by the couple.
Although a nikah is valid by itself, it should be registered with the Marriage Registrar so that it is accepted for visas, passports and bank and insurance purposes. A Muslim man and woman, or an interfaith couple, who prefer a civil marriage can marry under the Special Marriage Act instead.
The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872 applies when at least one of the parties is a Christian. The marriage must be solemnised by a minister of religion, a priest or another authorised person, in the presence of at least two credible witnesses, or before a Marriage Registrar licensed under the Act.
This is the Act most couples mean when they say “court marriage”.
Most of the time is the 30-day notice period. We prepare everything before you travel, so the visit is short and smooth.
A written notice is given to the Marriage Officer of the district where at least one of you has lived for 30 days or more.
The notice is displayed for 30 days. Anyone with a lawful objection can raise it during this time.
You and three witnesses appear before the Marriage Officer, sign the declaration and the marriage is solemnised.
The Marriage Officer enters the marriage in the Marriage Certificate Book and issues the certificate.
If you have already married by religious rites, you should still register the marriage. We handle the application for you.
Registration gives you an official certificate that is accepted everywhere. In Delhi, registration of marriages is compulsory for all communities. You can usually apply through the Delhi government’s online portal and then visit the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate with the originals.
Hindu Marriage Act for a Hindu ceremony, the nikahnama for a Muslim marriage, the church certificate for a Christian marriage, or the Special Marriage Act for a civil registration.
Application form, wedding invitation card or photographs, age and address proofs, passport-size photographs and affidavits of marriage.
Both spouses and usually two witnesses appear with identity proofs. For a religious marriage, a priest, maulvi or church certificate is often required.
After verification, the Marriage Registrar issues the certificate. We guide you on late registration if the marriage is old.
A marriage that has already been solemnised in another form can also be registered under the Special Marriage Act when its conditions are met: the marriage was solemnised, the couple have lived together as husband and wife, neither has a spouse living and the age and consent requirements are satisfied. A notice is published and objections are heard before the Marriage Officer registers it. See our guide on registration of marriage in India.
Cross-border marriages bring extra paperwork. Planning the documents early is the key.
The Special Marriage Act is generally used. The foreign partner needs a valid passport and visa, a certificate of single status or non-impediment from the embassy, and documents attested for use in India.
A marriage under local law is generally valid, and can be registered at the Indian Embassy or Consulate, or in India. A marriage can also be solemnised before an Indian Marriage Officer under the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 in some cases.
We register a marriage solemnised abroad with the foreign marriage certificate, apostille or attestation and translation if needed, so that the certificate is accepted for visas, passports and property matters.
Documents usually needed for a foreign marriage:
Married outside India, or married a foreign national? Registering the marriage gives you a certificate that Indian authorities, embassies and courts accept.
A marriage solemnised abroad under the local law is generally valid in India if it is valid where it took place and no Indian-law bar applies, such as an earlier living spouse. Keep the local marriage certificate safe, with a certified English translation if it is in another language.
Indian citizens abroad can marry before a Marriage Officer, or register a marriage already held under local law, at the Indian Mission under the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969. The certificate is then recognised in India.
A marriage held abroad in any form can, subject to the conditions of the Act, be registered in India with the Marriage Officer. Both partners must meet the age and consent conditions, and the residence requirement in the officer’s district applies.
Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist couples who married by their own rites abroad can apply for registration in India once they are here. In Delhi, registration of marriage is compulsory for all communities.
Foreign marriage certificates are usually apostilled, or attested by the foreign ministry and the Indian Embassy, before use in India. We also arrange translations, passports, visas, address proofs, photographs and affidavits.
A registered marriage supports a spouse visa, a name change in the passport and, where the rules allow, an OCI application by the foreign spouse. Each authority sets its own requirements, so we check the current ones before you apply.
A registered marriage is also your proof of marriage for maintenance, custody, inheritance and, if ever needed, divorce proceedings. If your marriage is already in difficulty, read our guidance on NRI divorce from Delhi. Rules and fees change, so call us before you sign or travel.
You can marry in India during a short visit if the notice is planned carefully.
We confirm the exact list for your case, but this is a good starting point.
Yes. The Special Marriage Act requires the notice and a 30-day period before the marriage can be solemnised.
It is possible if you plan ahead. Because of the 30-day notice, we suggest you contact us before you book tickets, so the dates fit.
Adult couples who meet the legal conditions do not need their parents’ consent to marry under the Special Marriage Act.
An Indian marriage certificate is widely accepted, and you can get it apostilled or attested for use in other countries. Always check the requirement of the country concerned.
Yes. We can help you register it under the Hindu Marriage Act or other applicable law, or under the Special Marriage Act, depending on the facts and the documents available.
A nikah is valid under Muslim law, but it should be registered so that it is accepted for official purposes.
Yes. The foreign partner needs a valid passport and visa, and a certificate of single status or non-impediment, usually attested for use in India.
Yes. It can be registered at the Indian Embassy or Consulate, or in India. We prepare the documents and the translation or attestation required.
Most of the time is the 30-day notice period. After that, the ceremony and certificate usually take a short visit to the office.
It is not compulsory, but an advocate helps you avoid errors, objections and delays, especially for NRIs and foreign nationals.
Please note: This page gives general information and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts, so please consult an advocate before acting.
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