What is court marriage? How can I do court marriage in India?

Court Marriage is the term which indicates the legalization of marriage. In India, every marriage has to be legalized. To be more specific, Court Marriage means legal authorization of marriage between two people belonging to two different religions, according to the Special Marriage Act 1954. Even those who belong to same religion may also choose court marriage. So, Court marriage means getting married in court which makes that marriage legal.

How Can I Do?

You can download the court marriage forms online. They include a Notice of Marriage and Declaration of Bride and Bridegroom. For a court marriage, a notice in writing has to be given to the marriage officer of that district by the two parties (persons) who intend to marry. The bride or the groom should be residing in that district at least since 30 days before the date of marriage. The proof of age and residence should also be provided.

So, the steps for court marriage are:

• Notice of Intended marriage – Applying at the marriage registration office

• Publication of Notice – Officer publishes it at this office and at the local office

• Objections to Marriage – Any objections will be received within 30 days before marriage according to the act in chapter II section 4.

• The signing of Declaration – Declaration by both bride and groom

• Place of Marriage – Place can be other or the one that belongs to the bride or groom

• Certificate of Marriage – Certificate will be issued by the authorities

What do you need?

So, what do you require for a court marriage?

• The bride and groom should be present.
• Three Eye-witnesses
• Thirty days of notice period

You can Marry if!

• If the Bride and groom are not related
• Neither of them is in a valid marriage at present
• The groom is above 21 and the bride is above 18
• Both of them are willing to marry one another