You register your marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act or the Special Marriage Act at the local Sub-Registrar/Marriage Registrar office, either online through your state’s marriage registration portal or offline. A registered marriage certificate is essential for visa applications, name change, joint bank accounts, and property matters.
What you need before you start
Keep both spouses’ Aadhaar cards, age proof (birth certificate or Class X marksheet), passport-size photographs, marriage invitation card or proof of marriage ceremony, and two witnesses with their identity proof.
Step by step
- Visit your state’s marriage registration portal or local Sub-Registrar office.
- Fill the application with both spouses’ details and the date/place of marriage.
- Upload Aadhaar, age proof and marriage photographs of both spouses.
- Book an appointment at the Sub-Registrar office with two witnesses.
- Both spouses and witnesses appear before the Registrar to sign the register.
- Pay the registration fee.
- Collect the marriage certificate on the same day or within a few days.
Fees and timelines
Under the Hindu Marriage Act, fees are typically Rs 100-200; under the Special Marriage Act (inter-religion marriages), there is a 30-day notice period before registration, and fees may be slightly higher. Most registrations, once the appointment happens, are completed the same day.
What to do if it goes wrong
If the Sub-Registrar raises an objection or the notice period under the Special Marriage Act draws a formal objection, you may need to respond with additional documentation or, in contested cases, seek legal advice. For lost certificates, apply for a duplicate copy at the same registrar office with your registration number.