Family › Court marriage & couple protection
Our families threaten us for marrying
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Your situation
- What do you need? Police protection
Do these now
- Written request to the Superintendent of Police for protection
Courts expect you to approach police first. Where: SP office / email.
Papers to gather
- Age proof for both (birth certificate, Class 10 certificate or passport)
Required for any marriage registration. Where: School, municipality, passport. - Photo ID of both (Aadhaar, voter ID or passport)
Required for registration and any police request. - Contact details of a trusted friend, advocate and the local police station
Useful in an emergency and for any protection order. - Threat messages, call recordings, names of those threatening
Supports a protection request to police or High Court. Where: Phones.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- Passport, visa and no-impediment/single-status certificate from the embassy — Required for a foreign national.
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.
Saboot will also ask
- Are you or your partner facing threats?
- Are you both of legal age (man 21+, woman 18+)?
Similar situations
- Want to marry someone of another religion
- 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
Sources
The full guide: Court marriage, marriage registration, or protection for a couple facing threats · All situations