How to register your marriage in Bangalore

When I got married about 3 years back, I got my marriage certificate from our local community branch office. I used this same certificate to apply for my wife’s passport etc. But recently, I realised that for a lot of other purposes, this community certificate is not quite enough. Some Govt. offices require the certificate issued by the Registrar of marriages.

So I did my research on how to go about doing this. Now, there are 2 laws through which you can get your marriage registered / get married.
1. Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
2. Special Marriage Act, 1954

The kind of marriage you see in the movies, where 2 lovers sign a register and get married is usually the “Special Marriage Act”. Here you are required to submit the required forms, get 3 witnesses to sign and provide 30 days notice. During this period, the notice will be posted on the bulletin board to enable anyone with an objection to the marriage to notify the Registrar. After 30 days, the bride and groom can get the marriage solemnized at the same office and collect the Marriage certificate.

I got my marriage registered through the Hindu Marriage Act in Bangalore. This allows two Hindus who got married in a Hindu religious ceremony to register their marriage at any Sub-Registrar’s office. The best part is that you can get the Marriage Certificate on the same day.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Download the forms & fill it up.
2. Get three witnesses to sign the forms. (They need not accompany you to the Sub-Registrars’)
3. Get five joint photographs (Size 2B) of the Bride & Groom.
4. Proof of age for both Bride & Groom.
5. Proof of address for both Bride & Groom. (This has to be some sort of Karnataka Govt issued ID – Voter’s Card, Ration Card, RC Book, Driving License, Passport)
6. Marriage Invitation Card.

Once all these documents are ready, head to the Office of the Sub-Registrar of Marriages. There is one located at K.R. Puram (right behind stinky K.R. Puram market). You do not have to approach any of the agents on the ground floor. Go right into the office. If you have any doubts filling up the form, you can ask the concerned person. When I went there, it was a lady named Shakuntala & she was very helpful.

Clerk #1 will check all the documents and ask the Bride & Groom to fill up a register and sign it. Then it will be taken to the Sub-registrar himself for verification. He will endorse it if everything is in place; It will then be forwarded to Clerk # 2 for entering all the details into the Online database, all forms and the Marriage certificate will be printed and given back to Clerk # 1. Two photographs will be then pasted on the marriage certificate and the Bride & Groom will have to sign across the photos and another register.

All these documents will be submitted to the Sub-Registrar who will sign everything and you can pay the fees to Clerk # 1. And you’re done ! Congrats !!

Notes:

• This is best if you are already married, but dont have the Govt. Marriage certificate or if you are in a hurry to get a marriage certificate.
• The pre-requisite for this registration is that you have to be married in Hindu ceremony. you will have to produce a marriage invitation or a letter from the temple or priest.

Useful Links

• Department of Stamps & Registration
• Arya Samaj, Bangalore