Family
Court marriage, marriage registration, or protection for a couple facing threats
Adults have the right to marry the person they choose. The papers you need depend on the law you marry under — and safety comes first if families are threatening you.
Answer a few questions and get your list →What the law says
Under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 one partner must have lived 30 days in the district before giving notice; the notice is displayed for 30 days for objections, and the marriage needs three witnesses. Hindu marriages can be registered after the ceremony under state rules. The Supreme Court (Shakti Vahini, 2018) directed police to protect couples facing threats and set up safe houses. Some states (e.g. Uttarakhand) require registration of marriages and live-in relationships.
General information, not legal advice.
Papers that usually help
- Age proof for both (birth certificate, Class 10 certificate or passport)
Required for any marriage registration. - Photo ID of both (Aadhaar, voter ID or passport)
Required for registration and any police request. - Existing marriage certificate or registration number
Needed to get a copy or correction. - Contact details of a trusted friend, advocate and the local police station
Useful in an emergency and for any protection order. - Address proof showing 30 days' residence in the district
Needed for the Special Marriage Act notice. - Passport photos of both
Attached to the application. - Proof of single status (affidavit; divorce decree or death certificate if previously married)
A prior subsisting marriage makes a new one void. - Three witnesses with ID and address proof
Required at registration. - Wedding invitation, photos and ceremony proof
Needed to register a marriage already done. - Threat messages, call recordings, names of those threatening
Supports a protection request to police or High Court. - Written request to the Superintendent of Police for protection
Courts expect you to approach police first. - Passport, visa and no-impediment/single-status certificate from the embassy
Required for a foreign national.
Questions Saboot will ask you
- Are you or your partner facing threats?
- What do you need?
- Do you both follow the same religion?
- Are you both of legal age (man 21+, woman 18+)?
- Is either partner a foreign national, NRI or OCI?
Sources
Common situations
- Want to marry someone of another religion
- Our families threaten us for marrying
- Need to register a marriage done at a temple
- Lost our marriage certificate
- Inter-caste marriage and want the government incentive
- Marriage notice under the Special Marriage Act
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