Court MarriagePromotional
Court marriage under the Special Marriage Act — notice of intended marriage, declarations, witnesses and the certificate from the Marriage Officer.
- Estimate Cost
- ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 Concessional Price
- Typical duration
- 45 days
Service overview
- A court marriage is a civil marriage solemnised before a Marriage Officer (usually the SDM or Sub-Registrar) under the Special Marriage Act, 1954
- No religious ceremony is needed, and couples of any religion or caste can marry
- You receive a government Marriage Certificate, accepted as legal proof of marriage for visas, passports, name change, insurance and property
Who needs it? / When is it needed?
- You want a legally valid marriage without religious rituals.
- You are an inter-faith or inter-caste couple wanting a legally secure marriage.
- One of you lives abroad or in another state and needs a recognised certificate for visa or immigration.
What to expect from the WCP Professionals
- Test eligibility first. Neither of you may have a living spouse; the man must be 21 and the woman 18; both must be of sound mind and able to consent; and you must not be within prohibited degrees. For a divorced or widowed party WCP professionals verify the final decree or death certificate.
- Choose the right district. Notice goes to the Marriage Officer of the district where at least one of you has lived for 30 days; if that is not met, WCP professionals show you how to establish it with proof.
- Draft the notice and affidavits so every name and date matches your ID.
- Plan for objections. Anyone may object within 30 days of publication, and the officer must inquire within 30 days. Religion, caste or family disapproval are not legal grounds; WCP professionals prepare the reply and evidence and appear before the officer.
- Arrange solemnisation. WCP professionals organise three witnesses, book the date and prepare you for the declaration.
Key deliverables
- Notice of Intended Marriage drafted and filed
- Eligibility opinion and document verification
- Affidavits for both parties
- Coordination of notice and objection periods
- Solemnisation booking and representation
- Marriage Certificate issued by the Marriage Officer
Standard turnaround time
About 30 to 45 days from filing the notice to the certificate if there is no objection; up to about 90 days if an objection is raised and inquired into. The 30-day notice period is statutory and cannot be shortened.
Government fees, timelines & key outcomes
- Government fee: generally Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000, varying by state
- Statutory timeline: notice at least 30 days before marriage; objections within 30 days of publication.
- Affidavit, stamp-paper and notary charges are separate.
- Key outcome: a Marriage Certificate under the Act, conclusive evidence of marriage, entered in the Marriage Certificate Book.
Forms & filings involved
- Notice of Intended Marriage (Second Schedule form)
- Declaration by parties and three witnesses (Third Schedule form)
- Marriage Certificate (Fourth Schedule form)
- Affidavits on age, marital status and prohibited relationship
- Application under Section 15 for a marriage already solemnised in another form
Documents required
- Date-of-birth proof of both parties
- Residence proof of both parties
- Passport-size photographs of both parties
- Affidavit from each party (age, marital status, prohibited relationship)
- Divorce decree or spouse's death certificate, if applicable
- Three witnesses with ID proof and photograph
- For a foreign national: passport, visa and embassy single-status certificate, where applicable
What we need from you
- Both of you present for signing the notice and again for solemnisation
- Proof of at least 30 days' residence of one party in the district
- Your three witnesses and their IDs early
- Consistent name spellings across all documents
Important conditions
- The Act's conditions on age, consent, mental capacity, existing spouse and prohibited degrees must be met; a breach can make the marriage void or voidable.
- The notice and objection process is mandatory.
- False statements can invalidate the marriage and invite penal action.
Additional information
- The Act also lets you register a marriage already solemnised in another form, if the conditions are met.
- NRIs and foreign nationals can marry under the Act if residence and document conditions are fulfilled.
The estimated cost covers indicative professional fees only. Government fees, stamp duty and taxes are payable at actuals.
How it works
- 1. Raise a service enquiry describing your requirement.
- 2. A Relationship Manager reviews it and opens it for bidding.
- 3. Pay into escrow and assign the professional you select.
- 4. Track progress to completion, then accept and release payment.
Frequently asked questions
Who can have a court marriage?
Any two people of any religion, if the man is at least 21 and the woman at least 18, both are unmarried, mentally capable and not within prohibited relationships.
Why is there a 30-day wait?
The Marriage Officer publishes a notice of the intended marriage for 30 days so that objections, if any, can be raised; the period cannot be shortened.
How many witnesses are needed?
Three witnesses, who sign the declaration before the Marriage Officer on the day of solemnisation.
What documents are needed?
Age and address proof of both parties, photographs, affidavits on marital status, and identity proof of the three witnesses; divorce or death certificates where applicable.