How To Register Your Marriage In Kerala?

Marriage is a formal legal bond and therefore grants certain rights and obligations to both spouses by law. To register a marriage in Kerala is more than a mere ritual; it serves to confer official recognition of the union, a matter that is extremely important in safeguarding the immediate interests of both partners. A registered marriage is authoritative evidence for certain crucial areas-including in cases like visa applications, inheritance claims, joint ventures, and more. The fact that it helps to resolve disputes, get benefits entitled to spouses, and ensure entitlements to social security adds to its value. It lends even more authenticity to the bond in the eyes of the law. In short, marriage registration in Kerala is crucial for all couples desiring legal acknowledgment of their status and protection.

While going through this blog, you will get to know about

• Applicable laws for marriage registration in Kerala.
• Offline and Online ways to register your marriage in Kerala.
• Relevant FAQs.

Marriage Registration Laws Applicable In Kerala

In Kerala, marriage can be registered depending on the different legal framework applicable to the religion of the couple and also on the wish of the parties concerned. A knowledge of these laws is the very starting point of an easy registration process.

Special Marriage Act, 1954

Originally enacted in 1954, the Special Marriage Act is a secular Indian legislation that governs the marriages of people who do not belong to the same religion or who choose to marry outside their religious laws. Under the Act, a couple is required to submit a written notice of marriage to the Marriage Officer in whose jurisdiction either of them has been residing for a period of thirty days. Thereafter, the notice is displayed at the office of the Marriage Officer in public. Any person may raise an objection on legally specified grounds within 30 days of such notice. If no objection is raised, marriage shall be solemnized and entered into the register maintained by the Marriage Officer.

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

The Hindu Marriage Act applies to marriages where both parties are Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, or Sikhs. While the Act primarily deals with the solemnization and dissolution of Hindu marriages, it also provides for the registration of already solemnized marriages to provide legal proof. Section 8 of this Act talks about the registration of Hindu marriages.

Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872

This Act provides for the solemnization of marriages between a person or persons, one or more of whom is or are a Christian. While it may direct its attention to solemnizations of licensed ministers, it enables registration of such marriages with a Registrar who is appointed under the Act.

Kerala Registration Of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008

This very important legislation establishes a common framework applicable to the registration of all marriages solemnized in Kerala, no matter the religious affiliation of the parties. The procedure for marrying has been simplified, and the Registrar for local marriages (usually the Secretary of the Grama Panchayat or Municipality or Corporation) is given priority over the registration of marriages. The rule has made the registration of marriages easier and uniform across Kerala.

Eligibility Criteria For Marriage Registration In Kerala

For marriage registration in Kerala, the concerned people must observe certain conditions as prescribed by the prevailing laws:

Age Of Bride And Groom

According to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, in India, the minimum legal age of marriage is 21 years for a male (groom) and 18 years for a female (bride). Both parties must have obtained these ages at the time of application for registration.

Marital Status

A bride and a groom should be unmarried on the marriage registration. If either party has been previously married, they must provide valid proof of divorce (divorce decree) or the death certificate of the spouse to show dissolution.

Non-prohibited Relationship Under The Applicable Personal Law

The marriage must not be within the degrees of prohibited relationship as defined by the personal law applicable to the parties (e.g., for Hindus, the Hindu Marriage Act; for Christians, the Indian Christian Marriage Act, etc.). The degrees of prohibited relationships are part of the Special Marriage Act.

Consent Of Both Parties

Both the bride and a groom must have freely and voluntarily consented to the marriage. There should not be any coercion, undue influence, or misrepresentation.

Documents Required For Marriage Registration

• Proof of Age: The following documents can serve as proof of age for the bride and groom: the birth certificate upon issuance from the relevant authority; school-leaving/transfer certificate corresponding to date of birth; passport; or driving license (if it includes the date of birth).
• Proof of Address: Current residential proof needs to be submitted by either the bride or the groom in any of the following forms: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License, ration card, a recent utility bill (electricity, water, phone) not older than three months, or bank statement not issued before the last three months.
• Marriage Invitation Card: While not always mandatory, providing the marriage invitation card (if available) can serve as additional proof of the marriage ceremony.
• Passport Size Photographs: Joint passport-size photographs of the bride and the groom (usually 2-3 copies each, as specified by the Registrar).
• Aadhaar Card of both bride and groom: This is a primary identification and address proof and is usually mandatory.
• Witnesses’ ID and Address Proof: Two adult witnesses must present their Aadhaar Cards, Voter IDs, Passports, or Driving Licenses to the marriage ceremony. They will also be required to state their current residential address.
• Memorandum signed by both parties to the marriage: This is a formal statement signed by the bride and groom declaring their marriage and providing necessary details. The format is usually available with the Registrar.
• Photographs of the marriage ceremony: Usually 2-3 joint photographs of the marriage ceremony showing the bride and groom exchanging vows or performing other customary rituals.
• Joint Affidavit stating marital status and relationship details: An joint affidavit of the bride and groom, sworn before a Notary Public or other authorized officer, stating their current marital status (single, divorced, widow/widower), affirming that they do not fall within the prohibited degrees of relationship according to their applicable personal law, and providing that the marriage was solemnized voluntarily.

Step-by-Step Process Of Marriage Registration In Kerala

One can apply for marriage registration in Kerala via both offline as well as online modes.

Online Marriage Registration

Marriage Registration is facilitated in a flexible way nowadays in most government offices in Kerala through the online platform, Sevana Citizen Services Portal of the Registration Department.

• Start by visiting or navigating the official Sevana Citizen Services Portal of the Kerala Registration Department.
• First-time applicants must register on the portal using their basic information. Returning applicants can log into the portal with their existing credentials.
• 

• Once you have signed in to the portal, navigate to the online services and click on "Marriage Registration." It will lead you to fill in the online application form by entering factual particulars for the bride and groom, with other information related to personal details, date and place of marriage, details of witnesses, and addresses.
• After this, the uploaded scanned copies should be clear and legible, attached to the Necessary Documents part of this procedure. You can now select the most convenient appointment date to visit the Local Registrar's office for the document verification and completion of registration.
• Go ahead and make payment of applicable registration fees through the portal's online payment gateway for confirmation of payment receipt.
• On that selected date and time, the bride, the bridegroom, and both witnesses must be present at the office of the Local Registrar with the respective original documents for verification.
• All documents will be verified, and statements made by the couple and the witnesses will be taken by the Registrar before asking them to sign the marriage register.
• After verification, the issuance of the Marriage Certificate may be done either on the same day or sent to your address, or may be made available for download online.

Offline Marriage Registration

• To begin, locate the Local Registrar of Marriages in your area, usually the Secretary of your Grama Panchayat, Municipality, or Corporation.
• Obtain the official marriage registration application form from the Registrar's office. Ensure that the form is completed appropriately and all required fields are filled accurately.
• Then, attach self-attested copies of the relevant documents specified in the 'Documents Required,' and Originals for verification must be taken when you submit the Application form with the required documents.
• Now you can submit the filled Application Form and attached documents to the Registrar, who will record this and set a date for the Bride, Groom, and Two Witnesses to appear before them.
• On the date given, the Bride, Groom, and two witnesses must attend the Registrar's office, with original documents available for verification.
• After submitting their statements in office, the Bride, Groom, and Two Witnesses must sign the marriage register, pay the appropriate registration charge, and wait for the Registrar to issue the official Marriage Certificate when complete and verified.

Marriage Registration Fees In Kerala And Timeline

Marriage registration fees in Kerala are nominal. The Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008 sets the fee for registration of the marriage by the Registrars within the prescribed time (usually several days to weeks after the marriage) to be very nominal, typically around ₹100.

• Late Registration Fees: If the marriage registration is after the specified time, then you will have to pay a late registration fee. The fee will go up if you are late, even within the one-year time frame. For example, applying for registration after one month but still less than one year after your marriage will incur a fee of Rs 250; even later means higher penalties.
• Timeline: The average timeline for issuing the Marriage Certificate after the appearance and verification is typically a few days to a week. This timeline may vary based on the workload of the Registrar's office. Online applications may shorten the preliminary phase, but the ultimate issuance of the certificate is dependent upon the physical verification.

Marriage Certificate Download Process

If you submitted your application online through the Sevana portal, the digitally signed Marriage Certificate may be downloadable from your Sevana account once it is issued. Log in to the Sevana portal and verify the status of your application. There will usually be a link or button to download, in PDF, the Marriage Certificate. If you have registered offline, you will need to obtain the Marriage Certificate in hardcopy from the office of the Registrar.

How To Track the Application Status Of Marriage Registration?

If you applied through the Sevana portal online, you can check the status of your application by logging in to the portal and using your application number. There will be an indication of the different stages of processing on the portal.

How To Get a Marriage Certificate In Kerala?

The marriage registration process described above concludes with the release of the Marriage Certificate. Regardless of whether you applied online or offline, the last step consists of the Registrar verifying your application and issuing a certificate of marriage either digitally or physically.

Advantages Of Marriage Registration

• A marriage certificate has much importance since it provides official recognition of the legality of your marital status and plays a role in numerous administrative/legal processes.
• It also serves as vital evidence and proof in a court for matters concerning divorce, inheritance, or issues arising from marital relations, such as separation and divorce.
• The certificate is required when making claims for annuities, pensions, monetary insurance payouts, or entitlements under government schemes obtainable by a spouse.
• Passport or visa applications usually require such documentation, especially for dependent or spousal visa applications.
• Property and inheritance become easier to claim for financial versus legal ownership or transfer after marriage.
• It can be required in banking institutions while opening joint accounts or other joint financial activities.
• It also plays a significant role in availing one of the various government welfare benefits and social security.

Conclusion

Registering your marriage in Kerala is quite an easy process and affords very good legal and administrative benefits. By knowing the applicable laws, fulfilling the eligibility conditions, collecting the requisite documents, and following the online or offline process of application through the Local Registrar of Marriages or the Sevana portal, couples can save their marriage from legal malice and could also be documented. It is always better to register within a time limit to avoid any penalty and also ensure that it opens access to all the rights and benefits that come with a legally valid marriage.

FAQs

A few FAQs are:

Q1. Can I register for marriage online in Kerala?

Yes, Kerala offers an online facility for marriage registration through the Sevana Citizen Services Portal of the Registration Department, allowing you to fill the application, upload documents, book an appointment, and pay fees online. However, physical presence for verification and signing is still required.

Q2. How long does it take to register a marriage in Kerala?

The process typically takes a few days to a week after the physical verification and signing at the Registrar's office. Online applications might expedite the initial steps, but the final certificate issuance depends on the Registrar's schedule.

Q3. What Are The Formalities For Registering a marriage in Kerala?

The formalities include meeting the eligibility criteria (age, marital status, consent), providing the required documents (ID proof, address proof, marriage photos, affidavit, etc.), applying online or offline, appearing before the Local Registrar with two witnesses, and paying the applicable fees.

Q4. Are there any fees associated with marriage registration in Kerala?

Yes, there are nominal fees for marriage registration. Registration within the prescribed time usually costs around ₹100, while late registration attracts higher fees depending on the delay.

Q5. Where do I register my marriage?

You need to register your marriage at the office of the Local Registrar of Marriages, which is usually the Secretary of the Grama Panchayat, Municipality, or Corporation in the area where the marriage was solemnized or where either of the parties has resided for a specific period. You can also initiate the process online through the Sevana portal.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. For personalized legal guidance, please consult with a qualified family lawyer.