NRI Marriage
Marriage between an Indian citizen and an NRI, a PIO (OCI) or a foreigner who wants to marry in India has choices from the two options- Religious Marriage Ceremony, Civil Marriage Ceremony.
Religious Marriage Ceremony
In India, a religious marriage ceremony is considered a legal marriage and registration processes are also available under it. There are different rules and regulations for different religions.
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 consists of certain provisions required for the registration of the marriages, but it is on the choice of the families of the marriage parties do either solemnized the marriage before a registrar or register it after the ceremony in a customary way. The non-registration of marriage does not invalidate it under the Hindu Marriage Act.
The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, registration of marriage is compulsory, as it provides for entry in a marriage register kept in the church soon after the marriage ceremony along with the signatures of the married couples.
The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 registration of marriage is compulsory. For the union to be legal the marriage must be solemnized by the priest in an Ashirwad (blessing) ceremony in the presence of two witnesses. The officiating priest must certify the wedlock on the certificate given under the provisions of the Act.
Hindu Marriage Ceremony
A traditional marriage which has already been solemnized can be registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. This act is applicable only when both the husband and wife are Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs or if they have converted into any of these religions. Age of the male has to be at least 21 years and of female 18 years. Both the parties should not be under any prohibited degree of relationship.
Click here to check what documents are required for Love Marriage
Required Documents
- Application form duly signed by both husband and wife
- Documentary evidence of the date of birth of parties (Matriculation Certificate / Passport / Birth Certificate)
- Ration card of husband or wife whose area SDM has been approached for the certificate
- Affidavit by both the parties stating place and date of marriage, date of birth, marital status at the time of marriage and nationality
- Two passport size photographs of both the parties and one marriage photograph
Marriage invitation card, if available - If marriage was solemnized in a religious place, a certificate from the priest is required who solemnized the marriage
- Affirmation that the parties are not related to each other within the prohibited degree of relationship as per Hindu Marriage Act or Special Marriage Act as the case may be
- Attested copy of divorce decree/order in case of a divorcee and death certificate of spouse in case of widow/widower
- In case one of the parties belong to other than Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh religions, a conversion certificate from the priest who solemnized the marriage
- All documents excluding receipt should be attested by a Gazetted Officer
