Marriage is a holy and legal binding of two persons in India, and one would have to register it to be legally taken in India. With digitalization influencing every element of our lives, the issue of legal validity of the online marriage registration in India started to draw a lot of attention. Many couples desirous of doing away with the law in their union gladly seek easy and convenient means to it, and end up seeking advice from a lawyer engaged in marriage registration.
Legality of online marriage registration in India?
Of course, online registration of marriage in India is legal, but there is a but. Although the application and the initial process can be done online, the physical presence of the couple and the witnesses before the Marriage Registrar is still required by the Indian law.
Marriage registration online portals are introduced by the Government of India and by multiple state governments through which the applicants can fill form, upload documents, book appointments, and pay fees. However the last step of verification and issuance of certificate of marriage involves physical attendance.
This system is governed by:
- Hindu Marriage Act (Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs) 1955.
- The Special Marriage Act, 1954 for interfaith marriages,
- Other personal laws which would apply to various communities.
Therefore, although online marriage registration will save time and still be convenient, it is not an entirely virtual process and it has to be concluded in person for it to be legal.
Steps for Online Marriage Registration in India
- Open an Account on the Official Website
Visit your state government’s marriage registration portal (e.g., Delhi Government’s e-District portal for residents of Delhi). - Fill in the Application Form
Enter details of both parties, such as name, date of birth, religion, marital status, and address. You may also be asked to choose your marriage act (Hindu Marriage Act or Special Marriage Act). - Upload the Required Documents
- ID proofs
- Address proof
- Passport-sized photos
- Date of birth certificate
- Marriage photograph
- Invitation card (if available)
- Witness ID proofs (at least two witnesses are required for Hindu Marriage Act; three for Special Marriage Act)
- Book an Appointment
Schedule a date to appear before the Marriage Registrar for document verification and declaration of marriage. - Appear Before the Registrar
On the scheduled date, both partners and witnesses must be present at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office or court with original documents for verification. - Receive the Marriage Certificate
Once verified, the Registrar will issue the marriage certificate. It may be provided on the same day or within a few days, depending on your location.
To navigate this process smoothly, consulting a professional marriage registration lawyer is highly recommended.
Role of a Marriage Registration Lawyer
A marriage registration lawyer may help you solve the following:
- Guiding that appropriate law to apply for registration.
- Verifying and preparing documents
- Assisting on submission of online forms and portal navigation
- Arranging meeting with the Marriage Registrar.
- Ensuring compliance with legal formalities
- Dealing with objections/discrepancies, if any.
Its common practice for the couples living in the national capital to hire a marriage registration lawyer at Delhi, who understands the local SDM offices and the available online systems.
A Court Marriage Registration: Why?
Court marriage registration is suitable for an inter religious, caste or national couple or for those who want a civil marriage. Provsions under Special Marriage Act, 1954 carried out it. The process includes:
- notice at the Registrar’s office (30-day public)
- Verification of documents and witnesses
- Solemnization of marriage in court
Because it is a more complicated procedure, a court marriage registration expert or a person who is in the line of a marriage registration lawyer in Delhi can facilitate an efficient and legal procedure.
Conclusion
Online marriage registration in India is legally valid, but it requires physical verification to complete the process. A qualified marriage registration lawyer ensures your documentation and procedure are error-free.
For smooth and stress-free online marriage registration or court marriage registration, consult a trusted marriage registration lawyer in Delhi through Lawchef.
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FAQs on Online Marriage Registration in India
- Do I have an option of doing a full marriage registration online in India?
No, though submission and upload of document can be done online, physical presence before the Registrar is compulsory.
- How many minutes does one take to do an online marriage registration?
However, it all depends on your local registrar office, it can take 7-15 days for Hindu Marriage Act, and for Special Marriage Act it is 30+ days.
- Is it necessary to have an advocate in a marriage registration?
Without being a necessity, hiring a marriage registration lawyer is recommended to smoothen proceedings related to documentation and legal formalities.
- How about if we came from different religion or country?
Where the parties involved are not from the same religion, then the Special Marriage Act is applicable. A court marriage registration is the best and expert legal help is greatly recommended.
- Who can I rely on to get marriage registration in Delhi?
You can link up to reputed sites such as Lawchef that has marriage registration lawyers with good experience, for both court and online registrations in Delhi.
