Is marriage registration mandatory in India?

Technically yes — the Supreme Court made marriage registration compulsory in 2006 (Seema vs Ashwani Kumar case). However, enforcement varies. While your marriage is legally valid without registration (if performed under religious customs), having a certificate is practically essential for all government and legal purposes. Get it done.

We got married 5 years ago. Can we still register?

Yes. There's no time limit for registering a marriage. You can register even decades after the wedding. The process is the same — you'll just need to provide the actual date of marriage and may need older photos or an affidavit confirming the marriage date.

Inter-faith marriage — which Act to use?

Special Marriage Act. It allows marriage between any two Indian citizens regardless of religion, without requiring either party to convert. However, the 30-day public notice period is controversial as it can attract unwanted attention. Some states have reduced or waived this notice period — check your state's rules.

Court marriage vs temple marriage — which gives the certificate?

Both can give you a marriage certificate — it depends on REGISTRATION, not ceremony type. You can have a temple marriage AND register it under the Hindu Marriage Act. Or have a court marriage (civil ceremony) under the Special Marriage Act. The marriage certificate is issued by the Sub-Registrar regardless of ceremony type.

Updated: March 2026

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How to Get Marriage Certificate Online

Register your marriage and get a marriage certificate online — required for joint bank accounts, spouse visa, insurance nomination, and property inheritance

Fee

₹100-500

Processing

15-30 days

Portal

State-wise

Witnesses

2 required

📋Why You Need a Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate is legally required or practically essential for:

Legal proof: It's the only legal proof of marriage accepted by courts, government agencies, and institutions. Without it, proving marital status for legal purposes is very difficult.

Spouse visa/passport: Adding spouse name to passport or applying for spouse visa to any country requires a marriage certificate. Embassies will not accept any other proof.

Joint accounts and nominations: Banks, insurance companies, and investment platforms require marriage certificate for: joint accounts, changing nominee to spouse, claiming spouse's insurance/PF, and adding spouse to health insurance.

Property and inheritance: Succession and inheritance rights, joint property registration, and claiming spouse's pension/benefits after death require marriage certificate.

Government schemes: Schemes like PM Awas Yojana (housing for married couples), spouse pension, and family benefits require proof of marriage.

📝How to Register Marriage Online

Visit your state's marriage registration portal

Most states have online portals: Delhi (edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in), UP (igrsup.gov.in), Maharashtra (aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in), Karnataka (kaveri.karnataka.gov.in). Search '[Your State] marriage registration online'.

Fill application form

Enter: bride's details (name, DOB, Aadhaar, address, religion), groom's details, date and place of marriage, type of marriage (Hindu Marriage Act / Special Marriage Act / Muslim / Christian), and witness details (2 witnesses required).

Upload documents

Both parties' Aadhaar, marriage invitation card or marriage photos, affidavit of marriage on stamp paper (₹10-100), age proof (birth certificate/10th marksheet), address proof, passport photos of bride, groom, and 2 witnesses.

Pay fee and book appointment

Fee: ₹100-500 (varies by state). Book appointment at the Sub-Registrar office or SDM office for physical verification.

Visit office with witnesses

Both bride and groom must be present with 2 witnesses (adults with valid ID). The Sub-Registrar verifies identities, takes signatures, and processes the registration. Some states require a 30-day notice period for Special Marriage Act registrations.

Marriage certificate issued

Certificate is issued within 7-15 days of the office visit. Download the digital certificate from the portal. Physical copy sent by post or collected from the office.

⚖️Hindu Marriage Act vs Special Marriage Act

Feature	Hindu Marriage Act	Special Marriage Act
For whom	Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists	Any Indian citizen (any religion, inter-faith, inter-caste)
Notice period	No mandatory notice	30-day notice to Sub-Registrar (public notice)
Witnesses	2 required	3 required
Registration timeline	Immediate to 7 days	30 days minimum (due to notice period)
Best for	Same-religion Hindu marriages	Inter-faith marriages, court marriages, civil unions
Conversion required	No	No — no conversion needed for inter-faith

📄Documents Needed

Document	Bride	Groom
Aadhaar card	Required	Required
Age proof (DOB)	Required (must be 18+)	Required (must be 21+)
Address proof	Required	Required
Marriage photos/invitation	At least 1 joint photo	Same
Affidavit of marriage	On stamp paper	On stamp paper
Divorce decree (if remarriage)	Required if previously married	Same
Death certificate of spouse	If widowed	If widowed

❓Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply for Passport →How to Update Aadhaar →Kanya Vivah Yojana →How to Get Birth Certificate →

Marriage registration processes and fees vary by state. Check your state's Sub-Registrar or e-District portal for exact procedures.