To register your marriage in India, you must submit specific documents depending on the type of marriage—under the Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) or the Special Marriage Act (SMA). This guide lists all the documents required for marriage registration.
General Documents Required for Marriage Registration (Applicable to All)
Here are the documents required for marriage registration
- Signed application form by both parties
- Proof of Date of Birth (any one): Passport, Birth Certificate, or 10th Marksheet
- Proof of Address (any one): Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID
- Identity Proof (any one): PAN Card, Driving Licence
- Passport-size photographs (2 each)
- Affidavit declaring marital status, citizenship, and DOB
- Divorce/Death Certificate (if applicable)
- Witness ID and address proof
Documents Required Under Hindu Marriage Act (HMA)
If your marriage followed religious rituals and both partners belong to eligible religions, these are the additional documents you’ll need under the Hindu Marriage Act. Applicable if both partners are Hindu, Sikh, Jain, or Buddhist and a religious ceremony has already been performed.
- All general documents listed above
- Wedding ceremony photos
- Marriage invitation card (optional but useful)
- Priest certificate (optional)
- 3 witness with photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID)
Documents Required Under Special Marriage Act (SMA)
Applicable for court marriages and interfaith marriages. Here are the required documents to register marriage.
Note: A 30-day public notice is mandatory.
- All general documents listed above
- Address proof showing minimum 30 days’ residence in the district
- 3 adult witnesses with valid photo ID and address proof
Witness Document Requirements
Whether under HMA or SMA, witness documents are important. Here’s what each witness must provide
- Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID)
- Address Proof
Witnesses must be present at the registrar office during document verification.
Marriage Registration Affidavit (Mandatory)
Along with the ID and address proofs, an affidavit is one of the mandatory documents required for marriage registration
- Names and DOB of both partners
- Citizenship details
- Current marital status
- Date and place of marriage
- Confirmation of no relation within prohibited degree
Special Cases: Additional Documents Required
Some situations require extra documents. These include foreign spouses or second marriages
If One Partner is a Foreigner:
- Valid Passport and Visa
- NOC from Embassy
- Proof of 30-day continuous stay in India
- Single status affidavit (apostilled)
If Previously Married:
- Divorce decree (certified copy)
- Death certificate of former spouse
Online Document Requirements for Marriage Registration (If Applicable)
In some states, you can submit your documents for marriage registration online before visiting the office. Here’s what’s needed for online registration
Online Document Checklist:
- Scanned copies of ID and address proofs
- Scanned affidavit
- Passport-size photos
- Witness ID documents
Final Checklist: Marriage Registration Documents
Here’s a final checklist to make sure you’re not missing anything.
- Application form (signed)
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
- Proof of date of birth
- Passport-size photos (2 each)
- Affidavit
- Marriage photos (for HMA)
- Witness identity & address proof
- Divorce/death certificate (if applicable)
- Extra documents for special cases (e.g. foreigners)
Muslim Marriage Registration in India
Document Required For Court Marriage
FAQs
How many witnesses are required?
You need 3 witnesses. All witnesses must provide valid ID and address proof
Is the marriage affidavit mandatory?
Yes, it is required in all cases.
What documents are required for marriage registration in India?
The documents required depend on the type of marriage (Hindu Marriage Act or Special Marriage Act), but generally include:
- Signed application form
- Proof of identity (Aadhaar, PAN, or Driving Licence)
- Proof of address (Aadhaar, Passport, or Voter ID)
- Proof of date of birth (Passport, Birth Certificate, or 10th Marksheet)
- Passport-size photographs (2 each)
- Marriage affidavit
- Wedding photos (for HMA)
- Witness ID and address proof
- Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
What are the rules for marriage registration in India?
Marriage must be registered under either the Hindu Marriage Act (if both partners belong to eligible religions) or the Special Marriage Act (for interfaith or court marriages).
- Under HMA, the marriage must be solemnized first, then registered.
- Under SMA, a 30-day notice is mandatory before solemnization.
- Minimum age: 21 years for the groom, 18 years for the bride.
- Valid documents and witness presence are compulsory.
Registration must be done at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office of the jurisdiction where either partner resides.
Is Aadhaar card enough for court marriage?
No, Aadhaar card alone is not enough. While it can be used as proof of identity and address, you also need:
- Proof of date of birth (like passport or 10th marksheet)
- Passport-size photos
- Court marriage application form
- Affidavit declaring marital status and citizenship
- Address proof for 30-day residency
- 3 witnesses with ID and address proof
Leave a Reply