Marriage Registration
Register a marriage with the local registrar, including the notice period and witness formalities.
Registering a marriage produces a certificate issued by the state — the document you will be asked for when applying for a spouse visa, changing a surname on official records, adding a spouse to insurance or a bank account, or establishing succession rights.
Registration is now effectively compulsory across India following Supreme Court directions, and in Maharashtra it is handled by the Registrar of Marriages for the area. Which Act you register under depends on your circumstances, and the difference is not merely procedural.
Charges on enquiry
This service is quoted case by case, because the work depends on your documents, the authority involved and the timeline you need. Send us a short note and we will confirm the professional charges and the government fees in writing before starting.
Which Act applies
There are two quite different routes, and choosing correctly at the outset saves considerable time.
- The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 — where both parties are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh and the marriage has already been solemnised. Registration records a marriage that has taken place.
- The Special Marriage Act, 1954 — for interfaith couples, or any couple choosing a civil marriage. This solemnises the marriage itself, not merely records it.
- The Maharashtra Regulation of Marriage Bureaus and Registration of Marriages Act also governs registration procedure in the state.
The thirty-day notice under the Special Marriage Act
This is the practical difference that catches couples out. A marriage under the Special Marriage Act requires a notice to be published for thirty days, during which any person may object.
The notice is displayed at the registrar’s office. Only after the thirty days pass without a sustained objection can the marriage be solemnised. Registration under the Hindu Marriage Act, by contrast, involves no waiting period because the marriage has already happened.
Conditions that must be satisfied
- The groom must have completed twenty-one years and the bride eighteen
- Neither party may have a living spouse at the time of the marriage
- Both must be capable of giving valid consent, and of sound mind
- The parties must not be within the degrees of prohibited relationship, unless custom permits
- Three witnesses are generally required at registration
How we handle it
- 1 Choosing the route We establish whether the Hindu Marriage Act or the Special Marriage Act applies, since the procedure and timeline differ substantially.
- 2 Preparing the application The memorandum or notice is prepared with the particulars of both parties and the witnesses.
- 3 Filing with the registrar The application is filed with the Registrar of Marriages for the area with the prescribed fee.
- 4 Notice period Under the Special Marriage Act the thirty-day notice runs. Under the Hindu Marriage Act this stage does not apply.
- 5 Appearance Both parties appear before the registrar with the three witnesses on the appointed date.
- 6 Certificate issued The marriage is entered in the register and the certificate issued to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is registering a marriage compulsory?
It is effectively compulsory following Supreme Court directions, and states have framed rules accordingly. Beyond the legal position, you will need the certificate for visas, name changes and succession.
What is the difference between the two Acts?
The Hindu Marriage Act registers a marriage that has already been solemnised, with no waiting period. The Special Marriage Act solemnises a civil marriage and requires a thirty-day public notice first. Interfaith couples use the latter.
Can we register a marriage from years ago?
Yes. There is no time bar on registering an existing marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act, though you will need evidence that the ceremony took place.
Do we both have to appear in person?
Yes. Both parties must appear before the registrar, along with the witnesses, on the appointed date. This cannot be done by representative.
Can a foreign national marry here?
Yes, generally under the Special Marriage Act, with additional documents including passport, visa and a no-impediment certificate from their embassy. The thirty-day notice still applies.
What is not included. Government fees, statutory charges, stamp duty, court and registry fees, digital signature costs and any third-party professional charges are separate and payable at actuals. GST applies on professional fees where indicated. Prices shown are indicative and may change without notice; we confirm the total in writing before any work begins — see our terms on pricing.
Talk to us about Marriage Registration
Share your requirement and our team will confirm the documents needed, the exact charges and a realistic timeline — usually the same working day.
- Expert document checking before submission
- Regular status updates on WhatsApp
- Transparent professional charges
- Assistance in Marathi & English
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