Marriage Registration & Marriage Certificate

Registration of an existing marriage

If your marriage has already been solemnised — in a temple, gurudwara, church, by nikah, or through a family ceremony — it still needs to be registered with the State to obtain a marriage certificate. Registration does not change the nature of your marriage; it records it in a government register and produces a document you can rely on for a passport, visa, bank or court.

The Supreme Court in Seema v. Ashwani Kumar directed all States to make registration of marriages compulsory. In Delhi this is governed by the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014, and applications are made to the SDM of the district where either party resides or where the marriage was solemnised.

Under which law will your marriage be registered?

Documents required

• Application form signed by both spouses.
• Date-of-birth proof of both spouses (matriculation certificate, passport, birth certificate).
• Aadhaar card and address proof of both spouses.
• Proof of marriage — wedding invitation card, photographs of the ceremony, or the temple/gurudwara/church certificate.
• Joint affidavit of both spouses regarding date and place of marriage and marital status.
• Two witnesses who attended the wedding, with Aadhaar, PAN and photographs.
• Two passport-size photographs of each spouse and one joint marriage photograph.
• Divorce decree or death certificate of previous spouse, if applicable.
• Passport, visa and embassy NOC where one spouse is a foreign national.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Application. The prescribed form is filled with details of both spouses and the date and place of marriage.
2. Affidavits. Joint and separate affidavits confirming the marriage, date of birth and marital status are drafted and notarised.
3. Online appointment. In Delhi the application is submitted on the e-District portal and an appointment date with the SDM is allotted; NCR districts follow their own State portals.
4. Verification. Both spouses and two witnesses appear before the SDM with all originals.
5. Certificate. After verification, the marriage certificate is signed, sealed and issued.

Timelines

• Hindu Marriage Act registration: appointment usually within a few days; certificate issued on the date of appearance.
• Special Marriage Act registration: 30-day notice period applies before the certificate can be issued.
• Tatkal / same-day registration is available in Delhi in eligible cases on payment of the prescribed additional fee.
• Certified additional copies can normally be obtained within a week of issue.

Where you will need the certificate

• Passport application or change of name after marriage.
• Spouse visa, dependent visa and permanent residency applications.
• Adding a spouse as nominee in bank accounts, insurance and provident fund.
• Joint home loans, property registration and succession matters.
• Any maintenance, custody or matrimonial proceeding before a court.