The procedure of court marriage in India is governed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and it allows any two persons, regardless of religion, caste, or nationality, to get married legally and formally without any religious rituals. Here is the step-by-step procedure: 1. Eligibility Check Before starting the process, both partners must ensure: Minimum age: Male: 21 years Female: 18 years Both are mentally sound and capable of giving valid consent. Neither person is already married (unless the previous marriage has been legally dissolved). They are not closely related as per the law (prohibited degrees of relationship). 2. Notice of Intended Marriage The couple must give a written notice to the Marriage Officer in the district where either of them has resided for at least 30 days before submitting the notice. The notice is filed in Form 1 under the Special Marriage Act. 3. Publication of Notice The Marriage Officer will publish the notice by displaying it in a public place in the office. A copy of the notice is kept in the Marriage Notice Book. This notice remains posted for 30 days to allow for any objections. 4. Objection (if any) During the 30-day period, any person can raise a legal objection to the marriage (e.g., one party is already married, underage, mentally unfit, etc.). The Marriage Officer will inquire into the objection and decide within 30 days whether it is valid. If valid, the marriage will not proceed unless the objection is resolved. 5. Declaration by Parties and Witnesses After 30 days (if no objection is raised or if the objection is overruled), the couple must appear before the Marriage Officer, along with three witnesses. They sign a declaration in the presence of the Marriage Officer and witnesses, affirming their free and willing consent. 6. Solemnization of Marriage The marriage can be solemnized at the office of the Marriage Officer or any other place within the district agreed upon. The couple must repeat the prescribed marriage vows in front of the Marriage Officer and the three witnesses. 7. Marriage Certificate After the ceremony, the Marriage Officer enters the details in the Marriage Certificate Book. A marriage certificate is issued, signed by the parties, witnesses, and the officer. This certificate is legal proof of the marriage and is valid throughout India and abroad. Documents Required (in general): Proof of age (birth certificate, passport, Aadhaar, etc.) Proof of residence Passport-size photos Affidavit confirming marital status, nationality, and date of birth Notice of Intended Marriage (Form) If previously married: Divorce decree or death certificate of spouse ID proofs of three witnesses Note: Requirements can vary slightly by state or city. Timeline: Minimum 30 days from the date of notice to the solemnization of the marriage (assuming no objection). Benefits of Court Marriage: No religious ceremony required. Legally binding and recognized internationally. Ideal for inter-caste, interfaith, or non-traditional couples. Offers legal protection in case of family or social opposition. .

Dear Client, In India court marriage is as per the Special Marriage Act, 1955 which states that: Notice of Intent to Marry it is required that both parties give in writing of their intent to the Marriage Officer in the district where at least one of them has resided for 30 days prior to notice. Publication of Notice The Marriage Registrar brings forward the notice out to the public for which within a 30 day period objections (if any) are brought to his attention. Objection and also Inquiry if any If an issue is brought up which is an objection the Marriage Registrar will conduct an inquiry. If no valid issue is supported which is an objection the process will continue. Consent and Documents It is a requirement that both parties produce the necessary documents (age proof, residence proof, photos,affidgits of marital status, etc. and to appear before the Marriage Officer in the company of three witnesses. At the end of the 30 day waiting period the marriage is performed in the Marriage Officer’s office through signing of the marriage declaration which takes place in the presence of witnesses. Marriage Certificate It is the issue of a marriage certificate by the Marriage Officer which serves as legal proof of the marriage. This process is civil in scope, does not include religious rituals, and is recognized all over India. I hope this answer helps to resolve your queries. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any further questions. Thank you!

भारत में कोर्ट मैरिज की प्रक्रिया विशेष विवाह अधिनियम, 1954 के अनुसार एक व्यवस्थित प्रक्रिया का पालन करती है। यह योग्य जोड़ों को, चाहे वे किसी भी धर्म या जाति के हों, विवाह अधिकारी और तीन गवाहों की उपस्थिति में कानूनी रूप से विवाह करने की अनुमति देता है। कोर्ट मैरिज के मुख्य चरण 1. इच्छित विवाह की सूचना दंपति को उस ज़िले के विवाह रजिस्ट्रार को इच्छित विवाह की सूचना प्रस्तुत करनी होगी जहाँ कम से कम एक साथी सूचना देने से ठीक पहले कम से कम 30 दिन तक रहा हो। 2. प्रकाशन और आपत्ति अवधि यह सूचना रजिस्ट्रार कार्यालय में 30 दिनों के लिए सार्वजनिक रूप से प्रदर्शित की जाती है, जिसमें केवल कानूनी आधारों (जैसे, आयु, मानसिक अक्षमता, या जीवित पूर्व पति/पत्नी) पर आपत्तियाँ दर्ज की जा सकती हैं। 3. आपत्तियों का समाधान (यदि कोई हो) यदि कोई वैध आपत्ति उठाई जाती है, तो विवाह अधिकारी जाँच करता है और या तो आपत्ति को बरकरार रखता है या विवाह को आगे बढ़ने देता है। 4. घोषणा और गवाह आपत्ति अवधि के बाद, दोनों पक्ष, तीन गवाहों के साथ, विवाह अधिकारी के समक्ष अपनी स्वतंत्र सहमति व्यक्त करते हुए एक औपचारिक घोषणा पर हस्ताक्षर करते हैं। 5. अनुष्ठान और प्रमाणीकरण इसके बाद विवाह अधिकारी के कार्यालय या किसी अन्य अनुमत स्थान पर विवाह संपन्न किया जा सकता है। अनुष्ठान के बाद, विवाह अधिकारी एक कानूनी विवाह प्रमाणपत्र जारी करता है, जो विवाह का निर्णायक प्रमाण होता है। आवश्यक दस्तावेज़ आयु प्रमाण (जन्म प्रमाणपत्र, पासपोर्ट, आदि), निवास प्रमाण, पासपोर्ट आकार के फ़ोटो, पहचान प्रमाण के साथ तीन गवाह, तलाक का आदेश या मृत्यु प्रमाणपत्र (यदि पहले विवाहित रहे हों)। समय सीमा और शुल्क अनिवार्य सूचना और आपत्ति अवधि के कारण इस प्रक्रिया में कम से कम 30 दिन लगते हैं। शुल्क राज्यों के अनुसार अलग-अलग होते हैं, लेकिन आम तौर पर ₹500 से ₹1,000 तक होते हैं। विशेष विचार कोर्ट मैरिज भारतीय और विदेशी दोनों नागरिकों के लिए उपलब्ध है और इसे ऑनलाइन या ऑफलाइन पूरा किया जा सकता है, हालाँकि सभी के लिए रजिस्ट्रार कार्यालय में अंतिम उपस्थिति अनिवार्य है। यह संरचित प्रक्रिया यह सुनिश्चित करती है कि भारत में धर्म या जाति की परवाह किए बिना विवाह को कानूनी मान्यता प्राप्त हो।

The procedure for court marriage in India follows a systematic process as per the Special Marriage Act, 1954. It allows eligible couples, regardless of religion or caste, to marry legally in the presence of a Marriage Officer and three witnesses. Key Steps in Court Marriage 1. Notice of Intended Marriage The couple must submit a notice of intended marriage to the Marriage Registrar of the district where at least one partner has lived for not less than 30 days immediately prior to giving the notice. 2. Publication and Objection Period The notice is publicly displayed at the Registrar’s office for 30 days, allowing for objections based only on legal grounds (e.g., age, mental incapacity, or a living previous spouse). 3. Resolution of Objections (if any) If a valid objection is raised, the marriage officer investigates and either upholds the objection or allows the marriage to proceed. 4. Declaration and Witnesses After the objection period, both parties, along with three witnesses, sign a formal declaration before the Marriage Officer stating their free consent. 5. Solemnization and Certification The marriage can then be solemnized at the office of the Marriage Officer or any other permitted place. After solemnization, the Marriage Officer issues a legal marriage certificate, which serves as conclusive proof of marriage. Documents Required Proof of age (birth certificate, passport, etc.), Proof of residence, Passport-size photographs, Three witnesses with identity proofs, Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married). Timeframe and Fees The process takes a minimum of 30 days due to the mandatory notice and objection period. Fees vary across states but generally range from ₹500 to ₹1,000. Special Considerations Court marriage is available to both Indian and foreign nationals and can be completed online or offline, though final appearance at the registrar’s office is required for all. This structured process ensures the marriage is legally recognized irrespective of religion or caste in India.