Marriage registration is an important legal requirement that every couple must fulfill. In Delhi, marriage registration is governed by the Delhi Marriage Registration Rules, 2012. In this article, we will discuss the application procedure and registration fee for marriage registration in Delhi in 2023.

Application Procedure for Delhi Marriage Registration

The application procedure for Delhi marriage registration is as follows:

Step 1: Obtain the application form The first step in the marriage registration process is to obtain the application form. The application form can be obtained from the Office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or can be downloaded from the official website of the Delhi government.

Step 2: Fill the application form After obtaining the application form, the couple must fill in the required details such as their names, addresses, age, date of birth, occupation, and marital status. The application form must be signed by both parties.

Step 3: Attach the required documents The next step is to attach the required documents such as age proof, address proof, and marriage proof. The age proof can be a birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or passport. The address proof can be a voter ID card, Aadhar card, or utility bill. The marriage proof can be a marriage invitation card, temple marriage certificate, or a marriage photograph.

Step 4: Submit the application form After filling in the application form and attaching the required documents, the couple must submit the application form at the Office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).

Step 5: Verification and Interview Once the application is submitted, the SDM verifies the documents and conducts an interview with the couple. The interview is conducted to ensure that the couple is getting married voluntarily and without any coercion.

Step 6: Issue of Marriage Certificate After the verification and interview process is completed, the SDM issues the marriage certificate to the couple.

Registration Fee for Delhi Marriage Registration

The registration fee for Delhi marriage registration in 2023 is as follows:

1. If the registration is done within 60 days of the date of marriage, the registration fee is Rs. 100.
2. If the registration is done after 60 days but within one year of the date of marriage, the registration fee is Rs. 150.
3. If the registration is done after one year of the date of marriage, the registration fee is Rs. 200.

It is important to note that the registration fee must be paid at the time of submitting the application form.

Benefits of Delhi Marriage Registration

There are several benefits of Delhi marriage registration, which include:

1. Legal proof of marriage: Marriage registration provides legal proof of marriage, which is required for several legal purposes such as obtaining a passport, opening a joint bank account, and claiming a life insurance policy.
2. Protection against dowry harassment: Marriage registration provides protection against dowry harassment, as the marriage certificate serves as proof of marriage and the amount of dowry given.
3. Simplifies divorce proceedings: In case of a divorce, marriage registration simplifies the divorce proceedings as the marriage certificate serves as proof of marriage and the duration of marriage.
4. Ease of inheritance: Marriage registration simplifies the process of inheritance, as it provides legal proof of the marriage and the duration of the marriage.

Documents Required for Delhi Marriage Registration

The following documents are required for marriage registration in Delhi:

1. Age proof: Birth certificate, school leaving certificate, passport, or any other document that proves the age of the bride and groom.
2. Address proof: Voter ID card, Aadhar card, driving license, passport, or any other document that proves the residential address of the bride and groom.
3. Marriage proof: Marriage invitation card, temple marriage certificate, or a marriage photograph.
4. Passport size photographs: Two passport size photographs of the bride and groom.
5. Witnesses: Two witnesses are required for the marriage registration process. The witnesses must be above 18 years of age and should have their address proof.
6. Divorce decree (if applicable): In case either the bride or the groom was previously married, they must provide the divorce decree.
7. Death certificate (if applicable): In case either the bride or the groom is a widow/widower, they must provide the death certificate of their previous spouse.
8. Affidavit of marital status: The bride and groom must provide an affidavit of marital status, which states that they are not related to each other within the prohibited degree of relationship.

Note: All the documents should be in original as well as photocopy.

Eligibility Criteria for Delhi Marriage Registration

The following are the eligibility criteria for marriage registration in Delhi:

1. Age: The bride must be at least 18 years of age, and the groom must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Prohibited degree of relationship: The bride and groom should not be related to each other within the prohibited degree of relationship.
3. Sound mind: Both the bride and groom should be of sound mind and capable of giving their consent for marriage.
4. Voluntary marriage: The marriage should be voluntary, and there should be no coercion.
5. Monogamy: The bride and groom should not have any spouse living at the time of marriage.
6. Citizenship: The bride or groom should be a citizen of India.

Procedure for Marriage Registration in Delhi

The procedure for marriage registration in Delhi is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the SDM office The first step in the marriage registration process is to visit the Office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the area where either the bride or groom resides.

Step 2: Fill the application form The couple needs to fill the application form for marriage registration. The application form can be obtained from the SDM office or downloaded from the official website of the Delhi government. The application form needs to be filled in triplicate and signed by both the bride and groom.

Step 3: Attach the required documents After filling the application form, the couple needs to attach the required documents such as age proof, address proof, marriage proof, passport size photographs, witnesses, and affidavits. The documents should be in original as well as photocopy.

Step 4: Verification and interview After submitting the application form and the required documents, the SDM verifies the documents and conducts an interview with the couple. The interview is conducted to ensure that the couple is getting married voluntarily and without any coercion.

Step 5: Issue of marriage certificate After the verification and interview process is completed, the SDM issues the marriage certificate to the couple.

Note: The entire process of marriage registration takes around 30-60 days, depending on the availability of the SDM.

Conclusion

Marriage registration is an important legal requirement that every couple must fulfill. In Delhi, marriage registration can be done by following the application procedure and paying the registration fee. The eligibility criteria for marriage registration include age, prohibited degree of relationship, sound mind,

voluntary marriage, monogamy, and citizenship. The required documents for marriage registration include age proof, address proof, marriage proof, passport size photographs, witnesses, and affidavits. The process for marriage registration in Delhi involves visiting the SDM office, filling the application form, attaching the required documents, verification and interview, and issuance of the marriage certificate.

It is important to note that marriage registration is not only a legal requirement but also provides various benefits. The marriage certificate can be used for various purposes such as passport application, bank account opening, and visa application. It also serves as proof of marriage, which can be helpful in case of legal disputes.

In case of any doubts or queries regarding the marriage registration process, couples can contact the SDM office or visit the official website of the Delhi government for more information.

In conclusion, marriage registration is a simple and straightforward process in Delhi, and couples should ensure that they fulfill this legal requirement. It not only provides legal recognition to the marriage but also offers various benefits. By following the application procedure and submitting the required documents, couples can get their marriage registered and receive the marriage certificate within a few weeks.