In India, the age limit for court marriage is governed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (for civil marriages between individuals of different religions or castes) and the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (for Hindus and certain other religious communities). Here's the age limit according to these Acts:
1. Age Limit Under the Special Marriage Act, 1954:
For Men: The minimum age is 21 years.
For Women: The minimum age is 18 years.
2. Age Limit Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955:
For Men: The minimum age is 21 years.
For Women: The minimum age is 18 years.
Key Points:
Both bride and groom must have attained the specified minimum age for a marriage to be legally valid.
No upper age limit exists for court marriages under both the Acts, meaning individuals can get married at any age as long as they meet the minimum age requirement.
Additional Requirements for Court Marriage:
Both parties must not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship (such as close blood relations or marital relations).
Both parties must give free consent to the marriage.
The marriage must be solemnized in the presence of at least two witnesses.
The couple must file a notice of intended marriage in the Marriage Officer’s office at least 30 days before the marriage. During this period, any objections to the marriage can be raised.
After the 30-day waiting period, if there are no objections, the marriage is solemnized in the presence of the Marriage Officer.
Conclusion:
The minimum age for a court marriage in India is 21 years for men and 18 years for women.
There is no upper age limit, so individuals of any age, provided they meet the minimum age requirement, can legally marry through court.
Dear Client,
In India the legal age for a court marriage is as per the Special Marriage Act of 1954. As to that which is the age range for marriage .
For the groom (male): At the age of 21.
For the bride (female): At the age of 18.
At the time of marriage both parties should have reached these age requirements. Also it is to be noted that these age rules are put in place which is in an effort to see that both individuals are at a point in life where they are mature enough to understand the responsibilities and to which they will be subjecting themselves in a marriage.
There is also the fact that we have had discussions which put forth a bill (The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021) which sought to raise the legal age of marriage for women to 21, but at present the law is as it is.
If you have any further questions or require assistance with the court marriage process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank You!
The Minimum Age Limit For Court Marriage In India Is 21 Years For Males And 18 Years For Females. This Applies Under The Special Marriage Act, 1954 And Most Relevant Statutes Governing Court Marriages In India.
Relevant Laws And Provisions
The Special Marriage Act, 1954 Sets The Minimum Age For Marriage At 21 Years For Males And 18 Years For Females.
The Prohibition Of Child Marriage Act, 2006 Also Aligns With These Limits, Prohibiting Marriage Below These Ages.
Other Personal Laws (Hindu, Christian, Etc.) Largely Follow The Same Minimum Age, Though Some Customary Practices (Especially Under Muslim Law) May Differ, Statutory Requirements Generally Prevail For Court Marriages.
Key Criteria For Court Marriage
Male Partner: Must Have Completed 21 Years Of Age.
Female Partner: Must Have Completed 18 Years Of Age.
Both Parties Must Be Of Sound Mind And Give Informed Consent.
Neither Party Should Be Married To Someone Else At The Time Of Applying For Marriage.
Parties Must Not Fall Within Degrees Of Prohibited Relationship As Specified In The Relevant Act.
Current And Proposed Changes
There Are Proposals To Increase The Minimum Age For Females To 21, But As Of September 2025, The Law Remains At 18 For Females And 21 For Males.
The minimum age limit for court marriage in India is 21 years for males and 18 years for females. This applies under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and most relevant statutes governing court marriages in India.
Relevant Laws and Provisions
The Special Marriage Act, 1954 sets the minimum age for marriage at 21 years for males and 18 years for females.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 also aligns with these limits, prohibiting marriage below these ages.
Other personal laws (Hindu, Christian, etc.) largely follow the same minimum age, though some customary practices (especially under Muslim law) may differ, statutory requirements generally prevail for court marriages.
Key Criteria for Court Marriage
Male partner: must have completed 21 years of age.
Female partner: must have completed 18 years of age.
Both parties must be of sound mind and give informed consent.
Neither party should be married to someone else at the time of applying for marriage.
Parties must not fall within degrees of prohibited relationship as specified in the relevant Act.
Current and Proposed Changes
There are proposals to increase the minimum age for females to 21, but as of September 2025, the law remains at 18 for females and 21 for males.
Dear Client,
In India the legal age for a court marriage is as per the Special Marriage Act of 1954. As to that which is the age range for marriage .
For the groom (male): At the age of 21.
For the bride (female): At the age of 18.
At the time of marriage both parties should have reached these age requirements. Also it is to be noted that these age rules are put in place which is in an effort to see that both individuals are at a point in life where they are mature enough to understand the responsibilities and to which they will be subjecting themselves in a marriage.
There is also the fact that we have had discussions which put forth a bill (The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021) which sought to raise the legal age of marriage for women to 21, but at present the law is as it is.
If you have any further questions or require assistance with the court marriage process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank You!
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