Document Required For Court Marriage In India 2025

Court marriage is the preferred option of couples who just want to get married and have it done in a simpler way than through grand ceremonies with legal validation marriage. Like any other marriage in India, court marriages are governed by the Indian laws, i.e., Special Marriage Act of 1954 and provide equal legal rights and recognition to partners, disregarding their caste, religion, or nationality. 

This article delves into the Indian citizens' and NRIs' eligibility criteria for step-by-step latest court marriage process and documents required for court marriage in 2025.  

Who Can Apply for Court Marriage in India?

According to Indian marriage laws, the following conditions must be met:  

1. Age: The bride must be at least 18 years old, and the groom must be at least 21.  
2. Mental Capacity: Both parties must be of a sound mind and able to give legal consent.  
3. Marital Status: Both should be unmarried. If previously married, proof of divorce or the death of former spouse is required.  
4. Prohibited relationships: The parties should not be within prohibited degrees of relationships by law, unless permitted by their custom.

Step-by-Step Court Marriage Process in 2025

In most states, the entire process can be initiated via a filing portal, which is a big step towards streamlining the marriage formalities. Here is what to expect; 

1. Notice Filing: A notice of marriage can be filed by either party of the intending couple to the Marriage Officer of the locality in which either individual has been a resident for a continuous period of not less than 30 days immediately preceding the date of filing of notice.
2. Public Notice: The notice is then published by the Marriage Officer for public information. 
3. Waiting Period: The publication of notice is followed by a 30-day waiting period during which any person can raise an objection.
4. Objection Handling: The officer needs to take a decision on the objections that is raised within the period of 30 days’ time. If there are no objections, the marriage can then proceed to happen.
5. Marriage Ceremony: When the waiting period gets expired, the spouses along with their 3 witnesses needs to appear before the Marriage Officer for the marriage solemnization.
6. Marriage Certificate: The couple is then given a marriage certificate which is legally valid in the country like India and as well as internationally. 

What Documents Are Required for Court Marriage in India 2025?

The following documents need for an NRI are as follows:

• Proof of Date of Birth: It can be a birth certificate, a school leaving certificate, or as well as the passport. 
• Proof of Address: Documents like Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, or like any Utility Bill. 
• Photographs: Passport-size photographs of both the spouses. 
• Affidavit: A document of date of birth, marital status, and the spouse’s nationality.
• Divorce Decree (if the individual is divorced).
• Death Certificate of Spouse (if the individual is widowed).
• Witness Proofs: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or the passport of 3 witnesses.

Documents Required for NRI and Foreign Nationals

If any one or both of the spouses are NRI or the foreign nationals, the following additional documents needs to be provided. They are:

• Valid Passport and the Visa.
• Proof of residence in India (minimum of 30 days stay).
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the embassy/consulate concerning marital status.
• Divorce Decree or Death Certificate (where applicable). 

Public Notice and Objection Stage

Any objections to the marriage can be raised within 30 days of issuing the notice.

If the marriage is contrary to any legal provisions such as:

• Age restrictions
• Marital status
• Relationships which are prohibited
• Insufficient mental capacity

The marriage officer entertains the complaints and takes a decision. The marriage is conducted if the officer finds no valid objections. 

Court Marriage Benefits

Choosing court marriage ceremony provides several advantages:

• Serve an international purpose as they are accepted across India and globally.  
• Provide an impartial platform, free from any religious discrimination. 
• Less expensive than traditional weddings.  
• Facilitate ease in applying for international visas and shifting abroad. 
• Offer statutory safeguards for couples from different religions or castes.    

Conclusion

The procedures of court marriage in India 2025 are straightforward, transparent, and effective pursuant to the law. As long as couples satisfy the administrative and legal requirements, they do not face any difficulties. 

Regardless of whether you hold an Indian passport, are an NRI, or a foreigner, you can benefit from court marriage, which is inexpensive and accepted everywhere. To ensure everything goes as planned without running into legal issues, a lot of couples take the help of a marriage lawyer with a lot of experience before filling out the application. 

Sharks of Law is a one-stop legal resource that houses a wealth of knowledge on various laws as well as recent legal news with the best credentials in the field. You can find a lawyer who satisfies your legal needs with this law firm for online consultation. If you require legal advice in any areas of law, the lawyers at Sharks of Law have the experience to provide it.

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