Hindu Marriage Act Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

INTRODUCTION:

The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 which applies and extend to the whole of India
except the State of Jammu and Kashmir and applicable to all Hindus.

This act is governed and followed by any person who is a Hindu by religion who is a Buddhists, Jain or Sikh. This act does not hold to Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion .This act was initialized on 18th of May, 1955.

WHY REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE IS IS GIVEN SO MUCH IMPORTANCE?

A Marriage certificate plays a crucial role in order to constitute a lawful and legal marriage it is very important to have a marriage certificate as an essential legal document that ensures the marriage to be legally verified.

Marriage registration empowers the competent authority two both the parties as a substantial piece of evidence that enunciates that legalizes the marriage.

A lot of major concern often that arises is that the protection towards the rights of the individual, difficulties the couple faces during registration.

It also empowers a question about how it protects and acts as a safeguard women’s right and dignity. Before understanding the above things let us first discuss the Conditions that are required for Hindu Marriage Act.

CONDITIONS FOR HINDU MARRIAGE:

A marriage can be legally solemnized between two Hindus if the following conditions are fulfilled:-

• Firstly , it will conclude a valid marriage if both the parties has no living spouse at present
• Lawful Consent.
• The groom has to be at least 21 years of age and bride has to be 18years, the parties are then only capable of marriage.
• The parties are not within the degree of prohibited relationship unless any customary permits.

PROCEDURAL REGULATION FOR REGISTRATION:

• Under The Hindu Marriage Act, comes within the provision of section 8 of this very act.
• The State Government holds a competent authority that is a Marriage Registrar for this purpose.
• The rules are to be followed under this section before the State Legislature.
• “Any” Person Contravening the above matter shall be fined for twenty-five rupees.
• There is scope of Non- registration in this regime otherwise there would be no validity of this act.
• Registration marks as a symbol of sacred commitment towards the marriage.

STEPS THAT ARE NEEDED TO GET HINDU MARRIAGE REGISTERED OFFLINE:

1. The intended parties must visit the marriage registrar office.
2. A visit to Sub-Divisional Magistrate to get a certificate form.
3. If the marriage is happening Under Special Marriage Act, there has to be three credible witnesses.
4. A time period of 15 days is required to get the marriage certificate.

ONLINE PROCEDURE FOR HINDU MARRIAGE ACT REGISTRATION:

In today’s digital era, there are a lot of online services model which is very easy to access, hassle-free and convenient. There is general procedure that the parties can access.

For example:
1) In Delhi , the district court has made an e-District Delhi site as an official website to book an appointment were they can access a list of services available on their website.
2) There they can fill up an application form for both the parties.
3) Upload the necessary documents, adhere by instruction given and read the page.
4) Rest of the procedure will be validated under the proviso of Sub-Divisional Magistrate office.
5) Then they will be eligible to have the marriage certificate.

CASE LAW: Smt.Seema v. Ashwani Kumar(AIR 2006 SC 1158):

The Hon’ble Supreme Court has stated that marriages in India must be registered regardless of religion in the respective states. In order to combat any sort of fraudulent activities , child marriages , bigamy and gives power to the women to claim their rights.

CONCLUSION:

Thereby we conclude, Registration is mandatory is order to validate a lawful marriage. A certification of a marriage registration is useful for various official benefits.

The Hindu Marriage Act 1955, serves as a crucial aspect as an authentication of the marriage. “Saptapadi” registration as mentioned in Section 7 of the act embarks as a proof of marital status.

This registration strengthens and empowers protection and welfare towards the rights of women and prevent from any sort of fraudulent activities such as bigamy or child marriage.

Frequently Asked Questions: