Marriage Registration in Karnataka

Benefits of Marriage Registration

Marriage certificate gives valuable proof of marriage providing social security and can be used as evidence in getting visa, claiming the bank deposits or Life Insurance benefits if the Insurer dies with no nomination or otherwise.

Marriages are registered in Sub Registry or District Registrar Offices under the following Act:

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955

It applies to Hindu, Buddhist, Brahma, Parthana and Arya Samaj and to those who follow Hindu religious customs. It does not apply to Muslim, Christian, Parsi or Jew Communities.

Special Marriage Act, 1954

It applies to all irrespective of religion, caste, language.

Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936

It applies to Parsies and Zoroastrians.

 Registration of Marriages in Karnataka

1.  In the office of the Registrar of Marriage within the authority of which the marriage has taken place or in the office of Marriage Officer in whose authority the couple lives Marriages under Hindu Marriage Act can be registered there.
2.  In the office of the Marriage Officer in whose authority bride or bridegroom lives, marriages under Special Marriage Act can be registered there
3.  In the Office of the District Registrar in whose authority the marriage takes place, marriages under Parsi Marriage Act may be registered there

Location of Marriage Office in Karnataka and who is  Marriage Officer

1. Marriage Officer is also Sub Registrar who record documents relating to immovable property.
2. The offices are situated in Taluk Head Quarters/District Head Quarters and few places in the Hobli Head Quarters.
3. Office of the Marriages/Registrar of Marriages is located in different places of Bangalore city.
4. Offices of District Registrars who are Registrars of Marriages under Parsi Marriage Act located in all District Headquarters.

Eligibility Criteria under Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Special Marriage Act, 1954:

1.  Those who desire to marry should not have spouse
2. Those who cannot willingly give approval for marriages due to mental illness is not eligible
3. Bride/groom who is capable of giving approval for marriage but unable to get child due to unstable mind cannot be solemnized nor be registered
4. Bride/groom suffering from lunacy is ineligible for solemnization of marriage
5. The parties are not within degree of banned relationship provided they can marry if it is permitted according to the usage of custom or usage governing such persons
6. Those who are descendants up to 5 generation from mother’s side or father’s side cannot marry (They are called Sapindas).
7. The boy should have completed 21 years and the girl must have completed 18 years.
8. The marriage under Hindu Marriage Act can be registered at any time.

Eligibility Criteria under Parsi Marriage Act 1936

1. The couple is not within the degree of banned relationship mentioned in schedule I of the Act.
2. The boy should have completed 21 years and the girl must have completed 18 years.
3. The marriage under this Act can be registered at any time.

Procedure for Registration of marriage under Hindu Marriage in Karnataka

1. Name and Address of the couple should be  filled in application for marriage prescribed form
2. Signature of bride and bridegroom, 3 attesting witness along with their name and address present at the time of marriage
3. photo of both couples together submitted to marriage registrar
4. contents of the application and records are verified by Marriage officer
5. Certificate of marriage is issued by him if the records produced are in accordance with law.

Solemnization under Special Marriage Act, 1954

1. The couple should give notice of planned marriage 30 days before solemnization with mentioned fees.
2. They must have lived together for not less than 30 days within the jurisdiction of marriage officer before giving the notice.
3. If no objections are received within 30 days from the date of notice of intended marriage, the couple should appear before the Marriage Officer within next 60 days after lapse of 30 days from such notice along with three witnesses for solemnization of the Marriage.
4. After following procedure prescribed under act and rules will solemnize the marriage by marriage office.
5. Fresh notice has to be issued if marriage is not solemnized within 90 days from the date of notice.
6. Marriage Officer will issue certificate of marriage after administering oath in the prescribed form and solemnizing  marriage
7. Couple and three witnesses shall sign the declaration and the certificates of marriage.

Procedure for registration of Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936:

1. Parsi priest solemnizes marriage ceremony.
2. Signature of bride and bridegroom, 3 attesting witness along with their name and address present at the time of marriage
3. Certificate will be sent to Registrar of Marriage (District Registrar) along with mentioned fee.

Registration of marriage already held according to the religious custom under Special Marriage Act

Application duly filled in should be given in prescribed form in duplicate under Section 16 of the Special Marriage Act 1954 along with set fee to the marriage officer.

Marriage will be registered by Marriage Officer after 30 days if couple appears along with 3 witnesses subject to following conditions:

1. Couple should be married and must be living together since then;
2. At the time of marriage any of them should not have more than one living spouse.
3. At the time of registration of marriage any of them should not be idiot or lunatic.
4. Husband and wife should have completed age of 21.
5. They should not be within the degree of banned relationship described in schedule I  of the Act;
6. Couple should have lived for a period not less than 30 days within the authority of marriage officer.

Objections to refuse registration of marriage

If the eligibility criteria is not fulfilled marriage officer may reject the registration of the marriage. Appeal may be submitted to District judge within 30 days of such denial.

Marriage Registration Fee in Karnataka

1.  There is no fee for Hindu Marriage Act registration. There is a minimal amount for application and certified copy.
2. Under Special Marriage Act, solemnization fee for marriage is Rs.10 and an extra charge of 15 for registration anywhere other then office.
3. Under Parsi Marriage Act, they levy some extra charge for certificate.

For more  details contact: www.karunadu.gov.in

Marriage Registration in Karnataka – Bagalkot, Bangalore, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, Chamarajanagar, Chikamagalur, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Dakshina Kannada, Davanagere, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Hassan, Haveri, Kodagu, Kolar, Koppal, Mandya, Mysore, Raichur, Ramanagara, Shimoga, Tumkur, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Yadgir