A court marriage in India is a very legal and to the point form of marriage and it is not preconditioned by the religion, caste or nationality of the intending couple. Let us provide you with all the information on how to perform a court marriage in India in 2024 so that you would not face any problems while doing it.
What is Court Marriage?
Court marriage is conducted under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act 1954. They enable young people of different religion, caste or nationality to get married without having to go through all the rigmarole of the cultures. This marriage is conducted by a Marriage Officer with three persons acting as witnesses to the marriage.
Eligibility Criteria
- Before proceeding with a court marriage, ensure that you meet the following criteria:Before proceeding with a court marriage, ensure that you meet the following criteria:
- Age: The groom must be at least of twenty one and a half years while the bride must be at least of eighteen years.
- Marital Status: It becomes necessary for both parties to be unmarried, divorced or widowed; the marital status being one of the restrictive criteria.
- Mental Health: The consent should be given with the ability of not only comprehending the situation, but also the volition for it.
- Prohibited Relationships: The couple should not be within the range of the prohibited relationship as prescribed in the act.
- Required Documents
- To apply for a court marriage, you will need the following documents:To apply for a court marriage, you will need the following documents:
- Application Form: Notice of Intended Marriage commonly referred to as the Form 1.
- Proof of Age: Birth certificate, school leaving certificate or the passport.
- Address Proof: Any of the following identification Card: Aadhar card, voter card, or passport.
- Photographs: Photographs of both the parties with the size of the passports.
- Affidavits: Affidavit of both parties of date of birth, marital status, and that they are not within the prohibited degrees by kinship.
- Witness Documents: Three witnesses’ passport-sized photographs as well as their identity proofs.
Step-by-Step Process
Notice of Intended Marriage: Complete the form and file the Notice of Intended Marriage (Form 1) within the marriage office of the district where either of the couple has been living for not less than 30 days before the notice is filed.
Publication of Notice: The Marriage Officer publishes a notice of the marriage with a stipulation for any one to voice an objection to the marriage within 30 days.
Objection Handling: Any objections that might be raised by any of the parties; these will be looked into and disposed off by the Marriage Officer within a period of 30 days.
Marriage Registration: When there have been no objections the marriage is consummated in the presence of the Marriage Officer and three other persons. They both sign the marriage certificate and witnesses.
Marriage Certificate: The marriage certificate is given by the Marriage Officer and it is one of the legal documents of the wedlock.
Fees
The fees for court marriage vary by state but generally include:
- Application fee
- Marriage registration fee
- Other charges received on affidavits and other papers
Conclusion
The court marriage in India is one of the flexible and reliable methods for getting marriage legally. If you follow all the steps mentioned above and do not forget about necessary documents, it is easy to accomplish the process. When it comes to the specific requirements and fees one should always consult witThe Hindu Marriage Act, 1955h the state law.
In case you are interested in more specific or in-depth information you may visit the website of the Ministry of Law and Justice of the Republic of India or seek advice from a lawyer.
