India is home to many religions and hundreds of wedding customs, but every marriage also has a legal side. A properly registered marriage protects the rights of the wife and the husband, and it is required for passports, bank accounts, property matters and spouse visas abroad.
Quick facts
- Legal minimum age: 21 for men and 18 for women under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
- The law that applies depends on religion: Hindu Marriage Act, Muslim personal law, Christian Marriage Act or the Special Marriage Act.
- Inter-faith and civil marriages are done under the Special Marriage Act with a 30-day notice period.
- Giving or demanding dowry is illegal under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
Minimum age and consent
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, a man must be at least 21 and a woman at least 18. A marriage involving a child can be cancelled by court, and those who arrange it can be punished. Both partners must give free consent; nobody can be married against their will.
Which law applies to you
- Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. The marriage is completed through customary rites such as the saptapadi (seven steps).
- Muslim personal law: marriage is a contract (nikah) with offer, acceptance, witnesses and mehr.
- Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872: for marriages performed in a church or by a licensed minister.
- Special Marriage Act, 1954: a civil marriage open to any two Indian citizens, including couples of different religions.
How marriage registration works
The Supreme Court has said that marriages should be registered, and many states have made registration compulsory. Couples usually apply at the office of the Sub-Registrar or the Marriage Registrar in the district where the wedding took place or where either partner lives. Many states now allow online appointments.
Under the Special Marriage Act, the couple gives a notice to the Marriage Registrar. The notice is displayed for 30 days so that objections can be raised. If there is no valid objection, the marriage is solemnised in front of three witnesses and a certificate is issued.
Documents commonly required
- Age proof for both partners, such as a birth certificate, school certificate or passport
- Address proof, such as Aadhaar, a voter ID or a utility bill
- Passport-size photographs of the couple
- A wedding invitation card or photographs of the ceremony (for Hindu marriage registration)
- Witnesses with their ID proof
- For a divorced or widowed person, the divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse
Popular wedding traditions
- Roka and engagement: families formally agree to the match.
- Haldi: turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom for blessings and glow.
- Mehndi and Sangeet: henna, music and dance, especially popular in North India.
- Pheras: the couple walks around the sacred fire, making seven promises.
- Vidaai: the emotional farewell as the bride leaves her parents’ home.
South Indian, Bengali, Punjabi and Muslim weddings each have their own rituals, colours and food, which is part of what makes Indian weddings so famous around the world.
Dowry is a crime
Dowry demands still cause serious harm. The Dowry Prohibition Act makes giving, taking or demanding dowry a punishable offence, and harassment for dowry is treated as cruelty under criminal law. Families can contact the police, women’s helplines or the district Dowry Prohibition Officer for help.
Before the wedding
Discuss career plans, finances, where you will live and family expectations openly. Our pre-marriage checklist can help guide that conversation.
This article is for general awareness only and is not legal advice. Rules can differ between states, so confirm details with your local Marriage Registrar.
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