Getting married through court in India is a legal and convenient alternative to traditional ceremonies, especially for couples from different religions, castes, or communities. Court marriages are solemnized under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and recognized as legal throughout India without the need for any religious rituals.
This blog explains the step-by-step procedure, eligibility, legal framework and the documents required for court marriage in India.
Who Can Apply for Court Marriage?
Under the Special Marriage Act, the following conditions must be met:
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Minimum Age: 21 years for the groom and 18 years for the bride.
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Mental Status: Both parties must be of sound mind and capable of giving valid consent.
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Marital Status: Neither party should have a living spouse at the time of marriage.
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Prohibited Degrees: The parties must not be within prohibited degrees of relationship unless allowed by custom.
Step-by-Step Court Marriage Procedure in India
1. Notice of Intended Marriage
The couple must file a Notice of Intended Marriage with the Marriage Registrar in the district where at least one of them has resided for a minimum of 30 days prior to filing.
2. Publication of Notice
The Registrar publishes the notice on the office notice board for 30 days, allowing objections. If no objections are raised, the process proceeds. If objections are received, the Registrar will conduct an inquiry.
3. Declaration by Parties
After the objection period, the couple and three witnesses must sign a declaration before the Marriage Officer.
4. Marriage Solemnization
After 30 days of notice, the marriage can be solemnized in the presence of the Registrar and three witnesses. No religious ceremony is required. The parties must simply say “I do” or similar consent before the officer.
5. Marriage Certificate Issuance
Once solemnized, the marriage is officially registered and the Court Marriage Certificate is issued, which is a legally valid document for all official purposes.
Documents Required for Court Marriage in India
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Age Proof (Aadhar card, passport, birth certificate, etc.)
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Address Proof (Aadhar card, voter ID, utility bill, rent agreement)
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Photographs – Passport-size photos of both parties
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Affidavit – Declaring date of birth, marital status and nationality
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Proof of Stay – Residence proof of at least 30 days in the jurisdiction
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Divorce Decree/Death Certificate – If either party was previously married
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Three Witnesses – Their ID proof, passport-size photos and address proof
Court Marriage for Inter-Religion or Inter-Caste Couples
The Special Marriage Act facilitates legal marriage between two individuals from different religions or castes without requiring conversion. This protects couples from societal and religious pressure.
How BGD Associates Helps
BGD Associates, a Delhi-based legal coordination platform, assists couples with document verification, legal notice filing, witness arrangement and form submissions for court marriages. The team ensures a hassle-free experience by guiding you through every legal step, especially in areas like Shakarpur, Rohini, Saket and other Delhi courts.
