Marriage Registration

In practice, yes. Following the Supreme Court's direction in Seema v. Ashwani Kumar, all states have made registration compulsory. Non-registration does not invalidate a validly solemnised marriage, but it leaves you without the proof required for visas, passports and succession.

Court marriage means the marriage itself is solemnised before a Marriage Officer under the Special Marriage Act, with a 30-day notice period. Registration simply records a marriage that has already taken place by ceremony — under the Hindu Marriage Act there is no notice period, so it is far quicker.

Yes. There is no absolute time bar. Delayed registration usually needs an additional affidavit explaining the delay, and in some districts a small late fee. We have registered marriages solemnised over a decade earlier without difficulty.

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, typically 7 to 20 days from application, and some states offer a tatkal service that issues the certificate within 24 hours. Under the Special Marriage Act, the mandatory 30-day notice period applies.

Yes, generally three witnesses who attended the wedding. They must carry photo ID and address proof. Family members are perfectly acceptable — a parent, sibling or uncle is the most common choice.

Yes. Additional documents are required — a valid passport and visa, and typically a no-impediment certificate or single-status affidavit from the foreign national's embassy. We handle these registrations regularly and coordinate the embassy paperwork for you.