Family › Court marriage & couple protection
Want to marry someone of another religion
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Make my own list — free, 2 minutesYour situation
- What do you need? To get married in court
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. - Address proof showing 30 days' residence in the district
Needed for the Special Marriage Act notice. Where: Aadhaar, rent agreement, utility bill. - 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. Where: Notary / court records. - Three witnesses with ID and address proof
Required at registration. Where: Friends / relatives.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- 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.
- 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.
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?
- Do you both follow the same religion?
- Are you both of legal age (man 21+, woman 18+)?
Similar situations
- 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
Sources
The full guide: Court marriage, marriage registration, or protection for a couple facing threats · All situations