Planning a Christian marriage in India? This guide will help you understand the process and documents required under the Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the Christian marriage registration process step-by-step. You’ll learn what it takes to make your marriage official under the Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872 and why it matters.
Having all the essential information at your fingertips can ensure a smooth and hassle-free registration process. Whether you’re a Christian couple or someone seeking knowledge on this topic, our guide will provide you with the clarity and understanding you need.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to navigate the Christian marriage registration process with ease. Follow our step-by-step instructions, understand the required documents, and prepare yourself thoroughly for this important life event.
Christian Marriage Registration
The Indian Christian Marriage Act of 1872 says that Christian marriages must be performed in churches, by a priest or minister. The Indian Christian Marriage Act plays a pivotal role in governing these ceremonies. Once the marriage takes place, the priest or church father will issue the marriage certificate to the newlyweds.
Thus, by endorsing their marriage under the Christian Marriage Act, it becomes a legally recognized union. The priest will then register this marriage in the church’s records. But before that, it’s important that both the bride and groom fulfill specific terms and conditions, including compliance with the Christian Marriage Act, to ensure the marriage can be officially approved.
NOTE: Previously, marriages could be performed without any official registration. Now the Supreme Court of India has ordered the compulsory registration of all marriages in India, irrespective of religion.
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Requirements for Christian Marriage Registration
In order to constitute a valid marriage under the Indian Christian Marriage Act, it is a requirement that either one or both parties are Christians. If one of the people getting married is not allowed to marry the other person by their own personal law, the marriage is not valid under the Christian Marriage Act. To constitute a legitimate marriage under the Act, the following factors have to be fulfilled:
- The bridegroom must not be under the age of twenty-one and the bride must not be under the age of eighteen, respectively;
- Consent from both parties must be free, voluntary and not obtained by misrepresentation of facts, compulsion or undue influence;
- Neither party should have a living spouse at the time of the marriage;
- A priest or minister in a church must perform the marriage, with at least two witnesses present.
Conditions Required for Performance of a Marriage by a Marriage Registrar
Marriage registrars appointed under the Christian Marriage Act of 1872 must follow these guidelines when performing marriages:
(a) Notice of Intended Marriage to the Registrar:
One of the parties to the marriage who lives in the same area as the Marriage Registrar must file a written application or notice to let the Registrar know they want to get married.
In the event that both the bride and groom reside in different locales, each party will have to draw up a distinct notice in writing to the Marriage Registrar located within their areas of residence, respectively. The Registrar writes down the application in the Marriage Notebook and puts it up in a visible spot in the office.
(b) Making a Pledge before the Registrar:
In order to acquire the Certificate of Notice, either one party to the marriage must make an appearance before the Marriage Registrar in order to pledge that:
- there is no obstacle, natural predisposition or other legitimate obstruction to the marriage;
- the place of residence of both the parties is within the locale of the marriage registrar;
If one of the people getting married is a minor, one of the following people must give their consent for the marriage to happen:
-
- Father of the minor, if alive and not deceased, or,
- The Guardian of the minor or if no guardian, then,
The mother’s consent is needed if no one else authorized to give consent lives in India.
(c) Issuing of the Certificate of Notice after the Pledge
Once either of the parties makes the pledge before the Registrar, and four days have passed since the notice of intended marriage was received, the Registrar can issue the Certificate of Notice.
The Certificate of Notice says where the marriage ceremony will take place, such as at a church or chapel.
The Registrar will not issue the certificate if someone objects and gives reasons why it should not be issued. Once the Registrar issues the Certificate of Notice, it becomes obligatory to perform the marriage within two months from the date of issuance.
If the marriage does not happen within the time limit, the certificate expires and you need to get a new one.
Persons authorized to perform the marriage under the act
Under Section 5 of the Act, the following persons are eligible to perform the christian marriage registration under the Christian Marriage Act 1872:
By:
- People chosen by the church’s Bishop can officiate the marriage, following the church’s customs and rules.
- Registered priests under the Church of Scotland can officiate marriages in accordance with the customs and regulations of the Church of Scotland.
- Minister of Religion licensed under this Act to solemnize marriages;
- Someone appointed by or in the presence of the Marriage Registrar.
- A person qualified to grant certificates of marriage between Indian Christians, under this Act
If someone who is not authorized to marry people performs a marriage, the marriage is not valid.
Performance of the Marriage under the Act
A Christian marriage registration, conducted in accordance with the Indian Christian Marriage Act, involves adherence to the rituals considered essential and appropriate by the Minister or Priest performing the marriage.
The Christian Marriage Act prescribes these rituals as part of the marriage process, and they also require the mandatory presence of two reliable witnesses, apart from the minister or the priest officiating the marriage.
It’s essential to note that, according to the Christian Marriage Act, if a marriage has not been solemnized within two months after the issuance of the certificate of notice, such a marriage cannot take place after the lapse of the two-month period. In such cases, a fresh certificate of notice would have to be applied for in order to proceed with the marriage under the Christian Marriage Act.
Time and Place for the Performance of the Marriage
The Act clearly specifies the ‘time’ and the ‘place’ for the performance of the Christian marriage registration. Christian marriages must be performed between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. in a church.
Church leaders can perform marriages outside of a church and at other times of day, if they have special permission.
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Christian Marriage Registration
To get married under the Christian Marriage Act, the couple must fill out an application and give it to the registrar in their area. The registrar will then register the marriage in the presence of the couple.
The couple and their witnesses must sign the acknowledgement slip. The slip is then sent to the registrar who keeps track of births, deaths, and marriages in that district.
Indian Christian couples can also get married under a special rule in the Special Marriage Act of 1954, with only one month’s notice. This Act provides for the solemnization of a marriage as well as registration by a Marriage Officer/Registrar between people of any religion such as Jewish, Hindu, Christian and so on.
Documents Required for Registering the Marriage under the Christian Marriage Act
For an Indian christian marriage registration, the following documents are to be submitted:
- Complete application form;
- 3 Passport Size photographs,
- The Marriage Certificate issued by the Minister or the Priest who performed the wedding,
- Two photographs of the wedding rituals along with the wedding invite;
- Residence and age proof of either party to the marriage (Voter Card/Aadhaar Card/PAN Card of both Bride and Groom);
- A document (affidavit) certifying the mental and marital status of both parties.
Procedure for Christian Marriage Registration
Here is the step guide for Christian Marriage Registration under Christian Marriage Act
Step 1: For Delhi, for marriage registration, the married couple has to visit M. T. Kom, Additional District Magistrate, West, Old Middle School Building, Lawrence Road, Rampura, Delhi – 110035. (nearest Metro Station Keshav Puram) . Along with the two christian marriage certificate issued by the Vicar and the above-mentioned following documents.
Step 2: After submitting the above Original & Copy documents to the ADM, will ask you to prepare an affidavit on Rs. 10/- Stamp Paper (matter will be given by the office). Then the ADM will verify all the submitted documents and return it back. After the verification, the ADM will fix a Hearing Date and ask you to purchase a form by paying Rs. 200/- and bring the filled form on the hearing date.
Step 3: On the Hearing date, the Married Couple (along with all the required documents and Two Witnesses) must be present. The Witnesses have to carry the above-mentioned documents.
Step 4: The Final verification will be done by the ADM under Christian Marriage Act and also the issuance of the Marriage Certificate.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Christian Act of marriage?
A: The Christian Marriage Act is a legal framework governing Christian marriages in India.
Q2: What is Indian Christian Marriage Act 1957?
A: The Indian Christian Marriage Act 1957 is an important law regulating Christian marriages in India.
Q3: What is Section 32 of the Christian marriage Act?
A: Section 32 of the Christian Marriage Act deals with the procedure for marriage registration.
Q4: What is Section 37 of the Christian marriage Act?
A: Section 37 of the Christian Marriage Act relates to the power to make rules under the Act.
Q5: Is Hindu Marriage Act applicable to Christians?
A: No, the Hindu Marriage Act is not applicable to Christians.
Q6: What is the marriage certificate for Christians in India?
A: The marriage certificate for Christians in India is proof of their legally recognized marriage under the Christian Marriage Act.
Q7: What are the requirements for marriage in Christianity?
A: Requirements for marriage in Christianity include compliance with the Christian Marriage Act and the consent of both parties.
Q8: How many marriages allowed in Christianity?
A: Christianity typically allows for one marriage at a time, with exceptions made in certain circumstances.
Nainan Joy
I am a widower 55 y and my fiancee is a widow 44y.
We are both regular church goers. But she wants to keep her marriage a lit
We intend to have a sacred holy marriage followed by government registration.
Our immediate family members have already given their concent . We live in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Kindly advise.
Nainan Joy
I am from Kerala a teacher by profession and a member of Church of North India.
My fiancee is a tribel from Jharkhand and a stanch catholic.
After marriage I wish to join the tribel community as I already live with them.
We both are from Ranchi.
Azad nabi
Jion Christian