How to Register a Marriage in Kerala
Marriages are matches made in heaven but registration are done here at Earth. If you are getting married in Kerala, they are governed by The Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008. You can register online or through the Registrar offices. In this article, we will take a look at the how to register a Marriage in Kerala, procedures, related terms, documents that are to be submitted along with Form 1.
Marriages Laws and Regulations
Marriage laws and regulations are governed by the State Governments. In Kerala, you can register a marriage based on the three Acts:
- Hindu Marriage Act
- Common Marriage Rules
- Special Marriage Act
How to apply for registration a marriage in Kerala
You need to fill a marriage registration application form i.e. Form No.1 that must be submitted within a period of 45 days from the date of solemnization of the marriage. The form is available free of charge at the registrar offices. You will need memorandum in duplicate form and three passport size photos of both husband and wife. Two photos are required for affixing in the Memorandum and one in the marriage register. Both the parties of the marriage along with two witnesses must be present at the time of registration to complete the registration process.
Special Marriage Act
The Special Marriage Act provides people of any religion to get married. However, before being registered under the Special Marriage Act, both the bride and groom must apply for marriage registration at the local Registrar’s office. The Registrar would display the form in the notice board of the Registrar’s office for 30 days.
At this period, if any one objects to the marriage, they can do so by visiting the Registrar with their respective evidence. The Registrar would consider only if the reason is genuine. That said, the parents or relatives or any person related to the applicants won’t be able to object the marriage.
After completing the 30 days, a non-objection Certificate will return to the Registrar’s office where they had initially submitted the application. The bride and groom along with three witness should approach the Registrar for the final process of marriage registration. This must be done within a period of six months maximum. All the people – friends, bride and groom must bring their verification/identification card. In normal cases, the applicants receive their marriage certificate on the same day. Once the certificates are ready, you can access them online, download and get it printed for future purposes. The signed application for marriage that is regulated by Special Marriage Act cannot be rejected by the Registrar under any situation.
What are the requirements for Marriage under Special Marriage Act?
Before submitting a form for special marriage, both the parties (bride and groom) need to certify the following:
- Neither of them have a spouse living on the date mentioned in the application.
- Neither of them are lunatic.
- Both bride and groom have completed the age of 20 years on the date of marriage registration application.
- The parties should not be within the degree of prohibited relationship
Marriage Registration Form in Kerala
The application used for marriage registration in Kerala depends under which the type of Act the registration is made. If you have registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, you can use the following form.
Download Marriage Registration Application Form 1 – Hindu Marriages
For marriage under Special Marriage Act, you can use the following application form:
Download Marriage Registration Application – Special Marriage Act
Registration Fee
A registration fee of Rs.100 is to be paid while submitting the memorandum for the reason of registration. You can also pay the Marriage Certificate Fee of Rs.20 during the registration – a total of Rs.120. For SC or ST or BPL people, the registration fees is Rs.10. If you submit the application after 45 days of solemnization or within a year of marriage, you need to fill a certificate in Form II along with a fine of Rs.100. If you are submitting after a period of one year, you need to pay a fine of Rs.250 along with the application.
Documents Required
- Attested copy of the certificate to prove husband’s age
- Attested copy of the certificate that prove wife’s age
- Copy of the certificate from the marriage auditorium where the wedding took place or religious authority concerned or a declaration in Form II obtained from a MP or MLA or Gazetted office or Member of Local Self Government institution with reference to the marriage solemnized
- Marriage invitation letter (optional)
- Form 2 that is certified by a Gazetted officer or elected representatives or any other proof of solemnization of marriage to the approval of Local Registrar or Registrar General in event of delayed applications.
- For age proof documents, you can submit SSLC book, driving license, passport, school admission register or other records that are issued by Government
- Identify proof of bride and groom
- Address proof of bride and groom
- Memorandum signed by both bride and groom for marriage accompanied by two persons who are witnesses.
- Application form along with copy of the certificate to prove age, marriage solemnization and so on.
Kerala Marriage Registration Online
Learn how to register a marriage in Kerala by following these steps.
Complete Marriage Registration within one year of solemnization. While you can give the details before the date of marriage, the application can be submitted only after solemnization of marriage.
Step 1: Visit Sevana Website
Step 2: Select “Registration of Marriages” option from the Documents menu.
Step 3: In the next page, click on "Online form Submission".
Step 4: Select the "District", "Local body" and click on "Submit" button.
Complete Marriage Registration within one year of solemnization. While you can give the details before the date of marriage, the application can be submitted only after solemnization of marriage.
Step 1: Visit Sevana Website
Step 2: Select “Registration of Marriages” option from the Documents menu.
Step 3: In the next page, click on "Online form Submission".
Step 4: Select the "District", "Local body" and click on "Submit" button.
Log in to Sevana
Step 5: The "Login" screen will be displayed. If you are already a registered user, you can directly login to the site using your username and password.
Step 6: If you are a new user, you need to register first. Select "New Registeration". Fill out the form and provide details for registration.
Enter Form I Details
Step 7: Once you have completed the registration process, a new window will appear for Form 1.
Step 8: Note that all the mandatory details should be entered.
- Communication Details
- Local Body Details
- Details of Marriage
- General details of Bride and Groom
- Bride’s Parents Details
- Groom’s Parents Details
- Witness Details
Upload Photos
Step 9: Upload the photos of bride and groom.
Submit the Application
Step 10: Click on "Submit" once you have entered all the details and uploaded all the photos.
Step 11: After you have successfully submitted, Form I will be created for verification. You can edit the form, if required.
Step 12: After making the corrections in the application, resubmit the form to update the said correction.
Submit the hard copy to the respective authority
Step 13: Take a print out of this form. You need to submit this form to the concerned local authority duly signed by everyone concerned.
Step 14: The husband and wife need to file this application in person along with the required fee in the local authority where the marriage is solemnized.
Sign on Form II
Step 15: The concerned officer will download the application form from the website, will fill in the inward number, payment details and verify the particulars of the documents. They will make the corrections, if need be.
Step 16: Once the verification process if over, the officer will issue Form III to the husband and wife who need to sign on that form.
Delayed Applications
If you are submitting applications after one year of solemnization, registration will be done only after the delay is pardoned from the authorized authority.
In case of delay in application, the registration officials will forward the application combined with Form II and other mandatory documents to the respective Registrar General for condoning the delay.
How to Download Marriage Certificate Online
Once all the application procedures are completed, you can download marriage certification from Kerala Government Civil Services Online Portal – Sevana. The step by step process to download the Marriage Certificate is given there.
Step 1: Select “Certificate Search” option in the menu.
Step 2: Select your "District", "local body type" and "local body" from the drop down menu available. Click on submit.
Step 3: The status of the available record will be displayed in the window. Choose "Year of Marriage".
Step 4: You will need to enter the following details as well.
- Date of Marriage
- Name of Husband
- Name of Wife
- Marriage Place
- Registration number
- Key number
Step 5: You will be asked to enter the Captcha image details. Once done, click on “Search”. Another window appears with your Marriage certificate.
If the Marriage Certificate Data is not available online, you need to report it to the Panchayat/Municipality/Corporation and apply in person.
Marriage is a combination of not two people but two families as well. The first step is finding the right partner. If you are looking for your soul mate, register at Kerala Marriage and be one step close to your life partner.
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