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+{{htmlmetatags>
+metatag-keywords=(apply marriage certificate, marriage registration, hindu marriage act, special marriage act, court marriage certificate)
+metatag-title=(How to Apply for Marriage Certificate India 2026)&metatag-description=(Apply for marriage certificate at SDM / Sub-Registrar under Hindu Marriage Act registration of solemnised marriage or Special Marriage Act court marriage.)
+}}
+====== How to apply for marriage certificate (Hindu/Special Marriage Act) ======
+{{:social:auto:how-to-apply-marriage-certificate.png?direct&1200 |How to apply for marriage certificate (Hindu/Special Marriage Act) — RTI Wiki}}
+<WRAP info>
+**Quick Reply:** Marriage registration is **mandatory in India** — Supreme Court direction in *Seema vs Ashwani Kumar (2006)*. Two routes: **(1) Hindu Marriage Act 1955** — register an already-solemnised Hindu marriage (15-day notice in some states, instant in others); **(2) Special Marriage Act 1954** — court marriage with **30-day public notice + 30-day waiting**. Fee Rs 100–200.
+</WRAP>
+===== Who can apply (eligibility) =====
+  * Either spouse 21+ (men) / 18+ (women)
+  * Not within prohibited degrees of relationship
+  * Of sound mind, capable of consent
+  * Domicile / ordinarily resident in district where applying
+  * Hindu Marriage Act: both Hindu/Sikh/Jain/Buddhist · SMA: any religion or inter-faith
+===== Step-by-step process =====
+  - **Choose your route** — HMA: post-marriage registration of solemnised Hindu marriage. SMA: court marriage with 30-day notice — works for inter-faith / inter-caste / civil ceremony.
+  - **Apply at SDM / Sub-Registrar** — In-person or online via state e-District (Delhi: edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in · MH: igrmaharashtra.gov.in · Online states: ~25/28).
+  - **Submit Form A (HMA) or Form B (SMA)** — Filled jointly + signed by both spouses + 3 witnesses with Aadhaar.
+  - **SMA: 30-day public notice** — Notice posted at SMR office for 30 days for objections. After period, marriage solemnised.
+  - **Submit supporting docs** — Birth proof, Aadhaar, address proof, marriage card / wedding photos (HMA), affidavits.
+  - **Verification by SMR/SDM** — Confirms identity + age + voluntary consent. May call witnesses.
+  - **Marriage certificate issued** — Same day for HMA registration; on solemnisation date for SMA. Two original signed copies.
+===== Where to apply, fee, and timeline =====
+  * **Online portal:** [[https://edistrict.gov.in|State e-District / Sub-Registrar]]
+  * **Offline:** Sub-Registrar of Marriages (SMR) office in your district. SDM in some states. Avoid agents — straightforward process.
+  * **Fee:** **HMA registration: Rs 100–200** · **SMA: Rs 150 (notice) + Rs 100 (cert)** · Court marriage venue Rs 500 if at registrar; free if at home
+  * **Timeline:** **HMA: 1–15 days** (state varies) · **SMA: 60 days** (30 notice + 30 wait + 1-day solemnisation)
+===== What documents to keep ready =====
+See our complete checklist: [[:documents:marriage-certificate|Documents required for marriage certificate]] — covers mandatory + optional + size/format specs.
+===== Common issues + how to handle =====
+  * **Wrong notice address** — HMA needs marriage venue OR either spouse's residence. SMA needs both spouses' residence.
+  * **Inter-faith marriage objection** — SMR has discretion to dismiss frivolous objections; police protection available.
+  * **Witness Aadhaar mismatch** — must be Aadhaar-verified Indian citizens; foreign witnesses not accepted.
+  * **Marriage 5+ years ago — never registered** — affidavit + wedding photos + invitation card + witness testimony. SDM can register under HMA retroactively.
+===== If your application is delayed or rejected — file an RTI =====
+Most "delays" or "rejections" clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:
+<code>
+. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
+. The name + designation of the dealing officer assigned to my file.
+. The reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
+. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
+. The likely date of issuance of my certificate / approval.
+</code>
+**Auto-fill the PIO details + your case:** [[:citizen-rti-playbook|Open the RTI Drafter →]]
+**Or browse state-wise scheme procedures:** [[:scheme-state:marriage-certificate:start|All state portals + RTI templates]]
+===== Frequently asked questions =====
+==== Is registration mandatory? ====
+Yes — SC 2006 direction. Most states have made it law. Without certificate: no spouse Aadhaar update, no joint property, no spouse passport.
+==== SMA notice — can my parents object? ====
+Yes — but objections must be on legal grounds (age, prohibited relationship, existing marriage). Caste/religion are NOT legal grounds.
+==== Same-sex marriage? ====
+SC declined Special Marriage Act extension to same-sex couples (Supriyo vs %%UoI%%, 2023). Civil partnership not recognised. Some states may have local provisions.
+==== NRI marriage abroad — register in India? ====
+Yes — under Foreign Marriage Act 1969 at Indian embassy + register in India for spouse Aadhaar/visa.
+==== Application delayed beyond 30 days? ====
+File RTI to SMR + SDM. Use our [[:citizen-rti-playbook|RTI Playbook]] for marriage cert delays.
+===== Summary + what to do next =====
+<WRAP center round tip 90%>
+**Quick Reply:** Apply at **State e-District / Sub-Registrar** (https://edistrict.gov.in). Fee: **HMA registration: Rs 100–200** · **SMA: Rs 150 (notice) + Rs 100 (cert)** · Court marriage venue Rs 500 if at registrar; free if at home. Timeline: **HMA: 1–15 days** (state varies) · **SMA: 60 days** (30 notice + 30 wait + 1-day solemnisation). If delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI — most cases clear within 15 days.
+  * **Start your application:** [[https://edistrict.gov.in|State e-District / Sub-Registrar]]
+  * **Document checklist first:** [[:documents:marriage-certificate|Required documents]]
+  * **If stuck — RTI Drafter:** [[:citizen-rti-playbook|File an RTI in 5 minutes]]
+  * **Talk to other citizens:** [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI community]]
+  * **Browse all how-to-apply guides:** [[:how-to-apply:start|All 25 application guides]]
+</WRAP>
+===== Related reading =====
+  * [[:check-status:start|How to check status — 25 high-traffic services]]
+  * [[:documents:start|Documents required — 30 checklists]]
+  * [[:state-rti-portals-directory|All state RTI portals]]
+  * [[:citizen-rti-playbook|Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios]]
+===== Sources =====
+  * Official portal: https://edistrict.gov.in
+  * Citizen feedback collected via [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]] (composite, identifying details removed).
+  * Statutory references: see relevant Act sections.
+//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
+{{tag>how-to-apply marriage-certificate citizen-services rti-fallback}}