**Marriage Procedures in India
for NRI's, PIO's or Foreigners**
An NRI, a PIO or a Foreigner (Indonesians, American, Canadians, British and others) who wants to marry in India has the following choices:
- Religious Marriage Ceremony
- Civil Marriage Ceremony
1. Religious Marriage Ceremonies in India
In India, a religious marriage ceremony is considered a legal marriage. However registration of marriage is now a legal requirement in most of the states in India. Moreover, for visa and immigration purposes a formal marriage certificate from the Registrar of Marriages is required. There are different rules and regulations for different religions. For example there are Hindu Marriage Act, Muslim Marriage Act, and Christian Marriage Act and for the Parsee there is Parsee Marriage and Divorce Act.
| If one of the parties is a citizen of another country like Indonesia, USA, UK or other, the registrar may request a “No Objection Certificate” from the Embassy or Consulate of that country, and also may request proof of termination of any previous marriages, before a marriage certificate will be issued.
For example, if one of the parties is an Indonesian citizen, the registrar may request a “No Objection Certificate” from the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate, and also may request proof of termination of any previous marriages, before a marriage certificate will be issued.
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A. Hindu Marriage Ceremony
The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 is applicable to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. A religious marriage which has already been solemnized can be registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The Hindu Marriage Act is applicable in cases where both husband and wife are Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs or where they have converted into any of these religions. The Hindu Marriage Act provides for the conditions of a marriage where under the bridegroom should be the age of 21 years and bride of 18 years, they both should not be within the degree of prohibited relationship.
The documents required for registering a marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act are as follows:
- Application form duly signed by both husband and wife
- Documentary evidence of date of birth of parties (Matriculation Certificate / Passport / Birth Certificate) Minimum age of both parties is 21 years at the time of registration under the Special Marriage Act
- Ration card of husband or wife whose area SDM has been approached for the certificate
