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Certificates

Marriage Certificate — Registration and Why It Matters

Registration is done with the local registrar under one of two Acts. The certificate is the only document that proves the marriage for official purposes.

Issued by State governments, through the Registrar of Marriages.

Last updated

Official source last verified 9 August 2026

At a glance

Two routes
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 or Special Marriage Act, 1954
Registered by
The Registrar of Marriages for the area
Special Marriage Act
Requires a 30-day public notice period
Minimum age
21 for the man, 18 for the woman
Cost
A nominal State-notified fee
National Government Services Portal — find your State’s serviceThe official portal for this document.https://services.india.gov.in/(opens the official website in a new tab)

Which Act applies to you

The practical difference is the 30-day notice. Under the Special Marriage Act, notice is displayed publicly at the registrar’s office and objections can be filed during that period. Couples should factor this into their timing, particularly where a visa or a posting has a deadline.

Which Act applies to you
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955Special Marriage Act, 1954
Applies toMarriages where both parties are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or SikhAny two people, regardless of religion
NatureRegistration of a marriage that has already been solemnisedSolemnisation and registration of the marriage itself
Notice periodNone30 days of public notice before solemnisation
WitnessesUsually twoThree
Commonly used forA ceremony that has already taken placeInter-faith marriages, and couples wanting a civil marriage

Documents required

  • Application form signed by both parties
  • Proof of date of birth for both — birth certificate, school leaving certificate or passport
  • Proof of address for both
  • Passport-size photographs of both, and often a joint photograph
  • Wedding invitation card and photographs of the ceremony, where registering under the Hindu Marriage Act
  • Two or three witnesses with their identity and address proof, depending on the Act
  • An affidavit confirming marital status, nationality and that the parties are not within prohibited degrees of relationship
  • Divorce decree or death certificate of a previous spouse, where applicable

How to register

  1. Find your State’s marriage registration service, reachable from services.india.gov.in, and check whether appointments are booked online.
  2. Complete the application under the correct Act and book an appointment with the registrar for the area where either party resides.
  3. Under the Special Marriage Act, the notice is displayed for 30 days before the marriage can be solemnised.
  4. Attend on the appointed date with both parties, the witnesses and all original documents.
  5. The registrar verifies the documents and records the marriage.
  6. Collect the certificate, or download it where your State issues it digitally.

Why the certificate matters later

  • Spouse visas and dependent visas require it, and consulates do not accept photographs or invitation cards as evidence.
  • Changing a name on Aadhaar, PAN or a passport after marriage usually requires it.
  • Insurance, pension and provident fund claims by a spouse are far simpler with it.
  • Adding a spouse to a bank account, a property or a nomination is straightforward with it and can be contested without it.
  • It protects the legal rights of both spouses, including in matters of maintenance and inheritance.

Frequently asked questions

Is registering a marriage compulsory in India?
Several States have made registration compulsory, and the Supreme Court has directed that marriages be registered. Beyond the legal position, the practical answer is that without the certificate you will struggle with visas, name changes, insurance claims and inheritance — so treat it as necessary regardless.
What is the 30-day notice under the Special Marriage Act?
Notice of the intended marriage is displayed publicly at the registrar’s office for 30 days, during which objections may be filed. It applies to marriages solemnised under the Special Marriage Act, not to registration of an already-solemnised marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act.
Can we register a marriage that took place years ago?
Yes. Registration under the Hindu Marriage Act records a marriage already solemnised, and there is no bar on doing so later. You will need evidence of the ceremony — invitation card, photographs and witnesses — and the requirements vary by State.
Do both of us need to be present?
Yes, both parties and the required witnesses must attend in person before the registrar with original documents. There is no route through an agent or a representative.

Official sources

Every figure on this page is traceable to the official source below. If a source has changed since the date shown, please tell us and we will correct it.