A court marriage is a civil marriage conducted by a Marriage Officer under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. It does not depend on religion, caste or ritual, so it suits couples of different faiths and also couples who simply want a simple, legally secure ceremony. This guide explains the steps in Delhi.
Who can marry under the Act
- Neither person should have a living spouse at the time of the marriage.
- Both must be of sound mind and able to give valid consent.
- The man must have completed 21 years and the woman 18 years.
- The couple should not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship, unless a custom permits it.
Step 1: Notice of intended marriage
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 immediately before the notice. In Delhi this is usually the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Many districts allow online booking through the Delhi government portal, followed by a visit to the office with the documents.
Step 2: The 30-day public notice
The notice is kept on public display for 30 days, and anyone with a lawful objection can raise it. If no valid objection is made, the marriage can proceed after the period ends. Because of this waiting period, NRIs should plan their travel dates before booking tickets.
Step 3: Solemnisation
On the fixed date, both of you and three witnesses appear before the Marriage Officer with identity proofs. You each sign the declaration and the marriage is solemnised. The ceremony is short and no rituals are required.
Step 4: The marriage certificate
The Marriage Officer records the marriage in the Marriage Certificate Book and issues a certificate. This certificate is widely used for visas, passports, joint accounts, insurance and immigration of a spouse.
Documents usually needed
- Application form and passport-size photographs of both
- Proof of date of birth, such as a school certificate or passport
- Proof of address, such as Aadhaar or a utility bill, and proof of 30 days’ residence in the district
- Affidavits of marital status, and a divorce decree or death certificate if either was married before
- Photo identity proofs of the three witnesses
- Passport and visa copies for NRIs and foreign nationals
Where we can help
We prepare the notice, check the documents and guide you through the appearance, so that a short visit to Delhi is enough. If you are an NRI, see our page on court marriage in Delhi, and if you already married in another form, our guide on registering a marriage in India.
Please note: This article gives general information and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts, so please consult an advocate before acting.