Marriage certificates are important documents for Indian couples. The marriage certificate is a legal proof of the union between two people.
It is necessary for married couples to register their marriage and obtain a marriage certificate in order to take advantage of a number of services/facilities in the country.
You will find everything you need to know about marriage certificates and how to register a marriage in India here.
The importance of having a marriage certificate
A Marriage certificate aids a person in demonstrating that they are lawfully wed to someone, which is especially useful if their spouse resides overseas and they need to obtain a passport, visa, work permit, etc.
In the event that their spouse passes away without a will or another beneficiary, it is also advantageous to be eligible for life insurance benefits, family pensions, bank savings, etc.
Marriage certificates may also be required by the court in divorce, legal separation, alimony, and child custody disputes.
There are two Marriage Acts in India
The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 and the Special Marriage Act of 1954 are the two marriage laws of India.
If both the husband and wife are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, or Jains, or if they have converted to these religions, the Hindu Marriage Act is applicable.
The Special Marriage Act is applicable to weddings between people of any faith, including those between people of different religions, as well as to Indians who are residing overseas.
What documents are required for obtaining marriage certificates?
The application form must be properly completed and signed by both spouses, together with their passport-sized pictures, one wedding photo, Aadhaar cards, address verification, and a marriage invitation (if available).
According to the Hindu Marriage Act, additional requirements include a certificate from the priest (for marriages performed in religious settings) and a conversion certificate from the priest in situations when one of the parties has undergone a conversion.
Other important documents to submit
Separate Marriage Affidavits from each party must also be submitted. For divorcés or widows/widowers, an authenticated copy of the divorce decree or death certificate of the spouse is required.
For registration under the Hindu Marriage Act, they must pay a charge of Rs. 100, and for registration under the Special Marriage Act, a price of Rs. 150. This receipt must be sent with their application.
The place where the marriage took place must record the union.
The Special Marriage Act also applies to couples who have already gone through the traditional wedding rituals but are applying to register their marriage later. Both of the Marriage Acts require that the concerned Gram Panchayat, Municipality, or Corporation where the marriage took place be notified of the marriage.
How does the Hindu Marriage Act apply to marriage certificates?
The application must be properly completed and signed by the husband and wife, as well as two witnesses, in accordance with the Hindu Marriage Act.
They will be given an appointment date following the document verification.
The couple must sign the marriage registration in front of the Sub-District Magistrate and a gazetted officer who was present at their wedding. The same day, theirÂ
Registration under the Special Marriage Act
For situations covered by the Special Marriage Act, there will be a 30-day notice period after the application is submitted inviting objections.
The notification is delivered to both spouses’ addresses as well as posted on the noticeboard of the relevant agency.
After the 30-day window, registration is completed. On the day of registration, both parties as well as three witnesses must be in attendance.
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