Marriage is a significant milestone in one’s life. It is a union of two individuals who vow to live together and support each other through thick and thin. In India, there are two ways to solemnize a marriage – traditional or arranged marriage and court marriage. A court marriage is a legal way to get married without any religious or traditional rituals. It is a simple and straightforward procedure that anyone can follow. In this blog, we will discuss the court marriage procedure in India in 6 easy steps.
Step 1 – Submitting an Application
Contents
The first step in a court marriage procedure in India is to submit an application to the marriage registrar. The application should include the following details:
- Name, age, and address of the bride and groom
- Date of birth of the bride and groom
- Occupation of the bride and groom
- Details of witnesses
- Affidavit in the prescribed format
You can get the application form and the affidavit from the marriage registrar’s office or download it from the official website of the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Step 2 – Verification of Documents
After submitting the application, the next step is to verify the documents. The bride and groom need to provide the following documents for verification:
- Age proof – birth certificate, passport, school leaving certificate, etc.
- Address proof – Aadhar card, driving license, voter ID, etc.
- Passport size photographs
- Marriage invitation card (if any)
The witnesses also need to provide their ID proofs for verification. The marriage registrar will verify the documents and check if all the necessary documents are in order.
Step 3 – Waiting Period
After the verification of documents, the marriage registrar will publish a notice inviting objections, if any. This notice is published for a minimum of 30 days. If no objections are raised within 30 days, the marriage registrar will proceed with the next step.
Also know about: What is the cost of court marriage in India?
Step 4 – Marriage Registration
After the waiting period, the bride and groom need to visit the marriage registrar’s office with their witnesses on the scheduled date for registration. The marriage registrar will verify the identities of the bride, groom, and witnesses and check if they fulfill all the legal requirements. After verification, the marriage registrar will solemnize the marriage and issue a marriage certificate.
Step 5 – Marriage Certificate
The marriage certificate is a legal document that proves that the marriage has been solemnized in accordance with the law. The marriage certificate is issued by the marriage registrar after the registration of the marriage. The marriage certificate contains the following details:
- Names of the bride and groom
- Age of the bride and groom
- Date of marriage
- Place of marriage
- Registration number
Step 6 – Applying for a Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate
After the marriage is registered, the bride and groom can apply for a certified copy of the marriage certificate. The certified copy of the marriage certificate can be used as proof of marriage for various purposes like passport, visa, bank account, etc. The certified copy of the marriage certificate can be obtained from the marriage registrar’s office by paying a nominal fee.
Conclusion
Court marriage is a simple and straightforward way to get married in India. The court marriage procedure in India is governed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The procedure involves submitting an application, verifying documents, waiting period, marriage registration, marriage certificate, and applying for a certified copy of the marriage certificate. By following these 6 easy steps, anyone can solemnize their marriage in a court of law.
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