court marriage process in delhi​ : comprehensive guide 2025

Court marriage is an increasingly popular choice for couples seeking a legally recognized union without the constraints of traditional rituals. Governed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the court marriage process in delhi provides a straightforward, secular, and legally binding alternative for individuals of different religions, castes, or backgrounds. This process ensures the right to marry the person of one’s choice as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Whether opting for an online or offline registration, understanding the eligibility criteria, required documentation, fees, and processing time is essential for a smooth legal procedure. This guide outlines every aspect of court marriage in Delhi, making it easier for couples to navigate the legal formalities with ease.

Legal Framework Related To Court Marriage

Court marriage, famously known as civil marriage, is an option for individuals of different religions who want to get married without adhering to traditional rituals and customs. It is a legal ceremony conducted by the registrar, which is appointed by the law itself. As per Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, everyone has a right to marry the person of their choice. The provision by which Court marriage in Delhi is governed is Section 1(2) of the Special Marriage Act 1954, which assures that the marriage is legally solemnized in front of the marriage officer and that the legal validity of the marriage and secular framework is protected. Moreover, this act has been an alternative for couples of different religions and individuals who wish to get married under this act. The primary motive of this law is to surpass religious orthodox beliefs and caste barriers by allowing individuals of all castes, religions, or backgrounds to marry each other.

Also Read : Hindu Marriage Act Of 1955

Special Consideration For Court Marriage In Delhi

The reason for court marriage under the Special Marriage Act in Delhi is to facilitate a marriage between different religions, castes, or backgrounds, which may not be accepted traditionally. A court marriage can be more private, less elaborate, and not as hectic as traditional weddings. Court marriages are legally binding on individuals and have the same obligations as religious marriages and legal protection. Some of the special considerations for Court Marriage in Delhi are:

Eligibility Criteria

Following is the eligibility criteria for court marriage process in Delhi:

• Age: If male, the age must be at least 21 years old, and if female, the age must be 18 years old.
• Consent: In any case, a non-consensual marriage is void, and free consent of both parties is mandatory
• Prohibited Relations: As per section 2(b) and 1st Schedule of the Special Marriage Act, both parties must not be under a prohibited relationship because a prohibited relationship marriage is considered void.
• Sound Mind: For constituting a valid marriage, neither party must be of unsound mind or incapable of giving consent to constitute marriage.
• No prior Marriage: In India, bigamy is not allowed. Therefore, no partner should have a living spouse at the time of marriage.

Also Read : What is the Sapinda Relationship?

Court Marriage Registration Process In Delhi

In today's time, to avoid the hassle of courts, the government has also provided the service of online court marriage.

Step-by-Step Court Marriage Procedure In Delhi

Let us study the online and offline steps of the Court Marriage Registration Process in Delhi:

Online Application Process

The process of online registration for court marriage process is as follows:

Access to Website

Visit the official website.

Create Account

After visiting, navigate to “Registration Marriage“ and create your login id.

Completion Of Form Details

Fill out the online application form, ensuring proper details have been mentioned, such as the marriage date, name of bride and groom, their authenticating details, witness information, and their details.

Uploading Documents

By following the instructions, carefully upload all the necessary documents (Marriage Invitation Card [if available], Residential proof of both parties, Age proof documents [aadhar, birth certificate, etc.], Marriage Affidavit from both parties, Identity proofs [passport, voter ID, etc.]) required by proper scanning to avoid any kind of rejection at the end of the department.

Submission And Payment Of Fees

Once you are done with the form, carefully review it and ensure that all information filled in is correct and submitted with the prescribed fees.

Appointment

If you get an option of booking an appointment, then book an appointment suitable to you with the marriage registrar from the document verification and signing of the declaration.

Print Receipt

Take the receipt and, if needed, the application form for your records.

Visit the Office (if the appointment is not booked)

Visit the marriage registrar’s office in your area with the print of the receipt and form and all original documents of both parties and witnesses.

Verification and Confirmation

All the documents would be verified and confirmed by the marriage registrar.

Issuance Of Certificate

Once all the process has been done, after a specified time, a marriage certificate will be issued.

Offline Application Process

The offline application process is as follows:

Marriage Notice

The first step is to give notice to the district marriage registrar in Delhi 30 days before the intended date of marriage. The form of marriage must be signed by both the parties and the witnesses. Documents required for the notice submission before the marriage registrar are:

1. Age Proof: Aadhar card, birth certificate, etc.
2. Address Proof: Voter ID, etc.
3. Photograph: passport-sized photo of both parties.
4. Affidavit: Declaration of current marital status (single, widowed, or divorced) and declaring that they are not in a prohibited relationship.

Publication Of Notice

Once the notice is submitted and received by the marriage officer, he posts the notice in a prominent location accessible to everyone for any legal objection as per Section 7 of the Special Marriage Act. If no objection is received within 30 days, then the marriage registration proceeds further.

Solemnization Of Marriage

If no objection is found or raised, then the marriage is solemnized in the presence of 3 witnesses. The couple and witnesses must sign a declaration and documents to make the marriage officially registered.

Issuance Of Certificate

Once the marriage is officially registered and the documentation is done, the registrar issues a marriage certificate to the couple, which serves as proof of the marriage.

Court Marriage Fees In Delhi And Processing Time For Court Marriage

Court marriage in Delhi is a more affordable alternative to traditional weddings, costing between ₹1500 and ₹5000 and taking approximately 40-45 days to complete, including a mandatory 30-day waiting period.

Court Marriage Fees in Delhi

When it comes to court marriage, it is more economically friendly and less expensive than traditional weddings, and the court fees are usually specified on the e-district portal. The overall cost differs depending on the state, but the fees that are required in the state of Delhi can be anywhere between ₹1500- ₹5000. These fees include the application form fees, stamp paper fees, court fees, photocopies, and other miscellaneous.

Processing Time For Court Marriage

The entire process of court marriage and issuance of the marriage certificate takes about 40-45 days, which includes a mandatory 30 days of waiting period for any objections and the remaining days for any lack of documentation or other miscellaneous reasons.

Essential Document Required For Court Marriage In Delhi

The essential documents required for a court marriage in Delhi are:

Document of Both the Parties:

1. Age Proof: Aadhar card, birth certificate, etc.
2. Address Proof: Voter ID, etc.
3. Identity Proof: Aadhar card, Driving License, etc.
4. Photograph: passport-sized photo of both parties.
5. Affidavit: Declaration of current marital status (single, widowed, or divorced) and declaring that they are not in a prohibited relationship.
6. Divorce Decree, if applicable
7. Death Certificate if anyone’s spouse was dead

Document of Witnesses:

1. Address Proof: Voter ID, etc.
2. Identity Proof: Aadhar card, Driving License, etc.
3. Photograph: passport-sized photo of both parties.

Document of Foreigners:

1. Passport
2. Residential Proof in Delhi
3. Visa.
4. Age Proof
5. Marital Status Proof
6. No Objection Certificate (NOC) [from the embassy if he/she is previously married]

Legal Benefit Of Court Marriage

The court marriage provides following legal benefits:

• Legal Validity: Court marriages are legally recognized and provide legal rights and obligations to both parties.
• Bigamy Protection: The law prohibits bigamy, ensuring both parties are free to marry.
• Simplified Process: Unlike traditional rituals, court marriage is easy to conduct and has a simplified process to make marriage legally registered.
• Security and Rights: Court marriage secures the rights of both parties related to maintenance, inheritance, and legal matters.
• Financial Benefits: Benefited from a joint bank account and any loan applications.
• Cost Efficient: The process is less expensive and cost-friendly as compared to traditional marriages.
• Privacy: This kind of marriage is perfect for individuals who prefer an intimate wedding. Even if both parties are Hindu, they can also register their marriage under the Special Marriage Act.

Legal Assistance For Court Marriage In Delhi (Importance Of Hiring A Legal Expert For Hassle-Free Processing)

Registering your marriage by hiring a legal expert is very important and highly recommended for a hassle-free process of your court marriage. Hiring a legal expert, i.e., an advocate, can guide you through the process of court marriage and the documents required and ensure all documents are in order, if the couple wants to apply the form online, an experienced legal person can assist you with the application and the appointment scheduling. He would be a representative on your behalf in front of the registrar, also would handle objection if any, and address any legal queries or complications if needed.

Consult a lawyer for smooth court marriage registration

Related Articles

Court Marriage Registration Process In Punjab

How To Download Marriage Certificate Online In Maharastra?

Conclusion

The court marriage process in Delhi is a simple, legally recognized, and cost-effective way for couples to solemnize their marriage without traditional ceremonies. Governed by the Special Marriage Act, it ensures the right to marry regardless of religion, caste, or background while providing legal security and benefits. By understanding the eligibility criteria, documentation, fees, and registration process—whether online or offline—couples can seamlessly complete their marriage registration. Seeking legal assistance can further streamline the procedure, ensuring compliance with all legal formalities. If you’re planning a court marriage, following the right steps will help you complete the process smoothly and obtain a legally valid marriage certificate hassle-free.

FAQs

A few FAQs on Court Marriage Process In Delhi​ are:

Q1. How to get married in a Delhi court?

An application can either be done online through the e-district portal or offline through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office. Both of these require the submission of a notice of intended marriage followed by the waiting period of 30 days for objections. If there are no objections, marriage may be solemnized and a certificate issued. The details for both processes are given in this guide.

Q2. Is court marriage possible in one day in Delhi?

The marriage cannot be solemnized unless a notice period of 30 days is patronizingly laid down; this period of time permits legal objections to be brought up, thus while an efficient marriage officer may speed up the process at least 10 days would be added on thus making it around 40-45 days or longer.

Q3. What is the time limit for marriage registration in Delhi?

There is no definite time limit for registering a marriage; however, it is better if one registers and performs the solemnization very soon after having taken the decision to marry. Thereafter, the notice period is completed in 30 days from date of submission of application. Delays can lead to the republishing of the notice.

Q4: What is the difference between court marriage & marriage registration?

Though often used interchangeably, the term 'court marriage' refers to the entire process from notice to solemnization under the Special Marriage Act. In contrast, 'marriage registration' refers specifically to the act of recording the marriage with the government. In a court marriage, solemnization and registration occur together. As for marriages performed under other personal laws, registration is a separate step.

Q5. What is the penalty for late marriage registration in Delhi?

There is no direct "penalty" for the late registration in the sense of a fine. But that makes it quite complicated legally and very difficult to prove the validity of a marriage, especially when it comes to inheritance, visa applications, or any other legal proceedings. It is really advisable to register a marriage as early as possible.

Q6. Can foreigners or NRIs apply for court marriage in Delhi?

Yes, foreign nationals and non-resident Indians are permitted to marry under the Special Marriage Act in Delhi. Besides the usual identity proof, the further documentation required will be their passport, residency proof in Delhi, visa, proof of age, proof of eligibility for marriage, and if they have been married before, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their embassy or consulate.