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Documents required for marriage certificate (HMA + Special Marriage

Documents for marriage registration under Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, or other personal laws. Identity + age + relationship + witnesses.

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—documents:marriage-certificate [2026/05/03 08:28] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(marriage certificate documents, hindu marriage act documents, special marriage act documents, court marriage documents)
 +metatag-description=(Documents for marriage registration under Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, or other personal laws. Identity + age + relationship + witnesses.)}}
 +
 +====== Documents required for marriage certificate (HMA + Special Marriage ======
 +{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
 +
 +<WRAP info>**Direct answer.** Marriage registration is mandatory under most state laws (post Smt. Seema v. Ashwani Kumar SC 2006). Documents differ slightly by Act: **Hindu Marriage Act 1955** (for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs), **Special Marriage Act 1954** (inter-faith / civil), **Christian Marriage Act 1872** (Christians), **Muslim Personal Law** (Nikah registration). Apply at Marriage Registrar / SDM. **Fee Rs. 100-1,500** depending on state and Act.</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Mandatory documents =====
 +  * **Application form** — State-specific; download from state portal
 +  * **Birth certificates of both spouses** — Age proof — must be 21 (groom) and 18 (bride)
 +  * **Aadhaar of both spouses** — Identity
 +  * **Address proof of both spouses** — Aadhaar / Voter ID / Electricity bill / Rent agreement
 +  * **Recent photographs** — 4 each, passport-size, white background
 +  * **Marriage invitation card** — For HMA — proves marriage took place
 +  * **Photos of marriage ceremony** — For HMA — supporting evidence
 +  * **Affidavit of marital status** — On Rs. 10 stamp paper, notarised — declaring single/widowed/divorced
 +  * **Witnesses (3 in HMA, 3+ in SMA)** — Each with Aadhaar + photo
 +  * **Affidavit of nationality** — For inter-religion / inter-national marriages
 +
 +===== Optional / situational documents =====
 +  * **Divorce decree** — For divorced applicants
 +  * **Death certificate of previous spouse** — For widow/widower remarriage
 +  * **Conversion certificate** — For SMA inter-faith — declaration if either party converted
 +  * **NOC from current legal wife** — For Muslim polygamous registration in certain states
 +  * **Passport / OCI** — For foreign citizen spouse
 +
 +===== Specifications + key rules =====
 +  * **Hindu Marriage Act**: religious ceremony already performed; registration is recording.
 +  * **Special Marriage Act**: 30-day public notice + 30-day waiting period before registration (objections invited).
 +  * **Witnesses must be 18+** with valid ID; SMA needs 3 witnesses on registration day.
 +  * **Validity** — lifetime certificate; can be re-issued (duplicate) at registrar.
 +  * **Inter-faith marriage** — typically must use SMA (1954); some states allow HMA if both spouses convert.
 +  * **Time limit for HMA registration** — most states require within 30-60 days of marriage; late registration possible with affidavit + late fee.
 +
 +===== Where to apply =====
 +Marriage Registrar OR SDM Office in the area where marriage took place / where either spouse resides for past 30 days. Online via state portals (some states).
 +
 +→ Official source: [[https://services.india.gov.in/service/detail/registration-of-marriage|https://services.india.gov.in/service/detail/registration-of-marriage]]
 +
 +===== If you don't have all documents =====
 +If marriage registration is delayed by registrar without reason, file RTI under §6 to SDM/Registrar for application status + objections (if any) + projected issuance.
 +
 +→ Use our **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|🪄 AI RTI Drafter]]** to generate a free §6(1) application asking for the rejection reason in 60 seconds.
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +  * **Q: HMA vs SMA — which to use?** — HMA: Hindus/Buddhists/Jains/Sikhs (pre-existing religious marriage). SMA: inter-faith / civil marriage (no religious ceremony needed).
 +  * **Q: How long after marriage to register?** — Most states 30-60 days under HMA. SMA: 30-day notice + 30-day wait + registration date.
 +  * **Q: Foreign spouse — extra documents?** — Passport + Visa + OCI/PIO + nationality affidavit. SMA preferred for inter-national.
 +  * **Q: Lost marriage certificate — duplicate?** — Apply at original registrar with Aadhaar + Rs. 50-100 fee.
 +  * **Q: Same-sex marriage — registrable in India?** — No — Supreme Court (2023) declined to legalize. Religious/symbolic ceremonies possible but no legal registration.
 +
 +===== Summary + next steps =====
 +
 +  - **Gather mandatory documents** above before applying — saves a re-visit
 +  - **Apply via official portal** (link above) — no agent needed
 +  - **Track status**: see our [[:check-status:start|status-check guides]]
 +  - **If rejected for "documents inadequate"**: request specific deficiency under §4(1)(d) RTI Act
 +  - **For state-specific guidance**: see [[:state-rti-portals-directory|state portals directory]]
 +
 +===== All RTI Wiki tools (free, no login) =====
 +
 +  * 🪄 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]** — type problem, get §6 application
 +  * 🎤 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]]** — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
 +  * 🔮 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-outcome-predictor.html|Outcome Predictor]]** — score draft win-likelihood
 +  * ⚖️ **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Generator]]** — §19(1) draft on Day 31
 +  * 📅 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Calculator]]** — track 30-day window
 +
 +===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * **State-by-state**: [[:scheme-state:marriage-certificate:start|Marriage Certificate across all 36 states]]
 +  * **If rejected, file RTI**: [[:rti-for-marriage-certificate-delay|Full RTI guide]]
 +  * **Citizen RTI playbook**: [[:citizen-rti-playbook|All 100+ scenarios]]
 +  * **All documents checklists**: [[:documents:start|All 30 checklists]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * Statutory references: as cited in Specifications above
 +  * Official portal: linked in "Where to apply" above
 +  * RTI Act 2005 §§4, 6, 7, 19
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>marriage certificate documents-checklist citizen-help}}