Kerala Marriage Registration

If you are getting married in Kerala, it is governed by The Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008. In Kerala, marriage registration takes place online or via the Registrar offices. In this guide, we will show you the step by step process on Kerala Marriage registration, terms and conditions, documents to be submitted along with Form 1 and related mandatory documents along with criteria to be met.

Kerala Marriage Laws and Regulations

In India, State Governments have the authority to govern marriage laws and regulations. In Kerala, a marriage can be registered under the following three Acts:

• Hindu Marriage Act
• Common Marriage Rules
• Special Marriage Act

Advantages of Marriage Registration

• A marriage certificate is a document which is a proof that a woman is married to the person whose name, photo and other details are mentioned in the marriage certificate.
• A marriage certificate is a document that provides social security, self-confidence to a married woman.
• A marriage certificate is a valuable document when you are applying for a visa or passport for the wife or husband.
• The marriage certificate is equally important when claiming bank deposits or life insurance-related benefits to the wife of the insurer after the death of the insurer without any nomination of any person.

Application for Marriage Registration

There is a Form No.1 that is available free of charge at the registrar offices. You need to submit the Kerala Marriage Registration Application within 45 days from the date of sanctification of the Marriage. You need to also submit the Memorandum in duplicate form pertaining to Form No. I along with one passport size photo each of husband and wife, a total of three photos. Two photos will be used to affix the memorandum and one in the marriage register. To complete the registration, parties to the marriages, along with two witnesses, must be present during the registration time.

Special Marriage Act

As per the Special Marriage Act, two people of any faith can get married. However, before registering under the Special Marriage Act, the couple must approach the local Registrar’s office and apply for marriage registration. Once done, the Registrar would display in the notice board of the Registrar’s office for 30 days about the couple’s intention to get married.
During this time frame, anyone who wishes to object the Marriage may do so by visiting the Registrar with the necessary evidence. The objection will be considered if the reason provided is very genuine. However, the parents or relatives or any person related to the applicants would not be able to object to the Marriage.
After 30 days, the non-objection Certificate will return to the Registrar’s office, where they had initially applied. The bride and groom along with 3 witnesses should approach the Registrar for the final process of registration within 6 months at a maximum. Everyone present must bring their photo identification card. Usually, the applicants receive their marriage certificate on the same day. Once the certificates are available, you could easily access them online and get it printed for future purposes. The signed application for Marriage, controlled as per the Special Marriage Act, is not be capable of rejection by the Registrar under any situation.

What are the requirements for Marriage under the Special Marriage Act?

While you are applying for special Marriage, both you and your partner must certify that:

• Neither of you has a spouse living on the date mentioned in the application.
• Neither of you are lunatics.
• You both have completed the age of 20 on years on the date of the marriage registration application.
• Both of you are not within the degree of prohibited relationship.

Marriage Registration Application Form in Kerala

The application type used for registering a marriage in Kerala purely depends on the Act under which the registration is done. For instance, if you have registered as per Hindu Marriage Act, the following form can be used:
Download Marriage Registration Application Form 1 – Hindu Marriages 

In case of Marriage under the Special Marriage Act, you can use the following application form:
Download Marriage Registration Application – Special Marriages Act

Registration Fee

A registration fee of Rs. 100 must be paid while submitting the memorandum for the reason of registration. You should also pay the Marriage Certificate Fee of Rs.20 while registering amounting to a total of Rs.120. For SC or ST or BPL people, the registration fees is Rs.10. A fine of Rs.100 is charged along with Form II certificate if you submit the application after 45 days of solemnization or within a year of marriage. 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 where the marriage was solemnized.
• The Marriage invitation letter can be submitted, though it is optional.
• Form 2 that is certified by a Gazette officer or designated representatives or any other proof of solemnization of marriage for the approval of Local Registrar or Registrar General in case of delayed applications.
• For age proof documents, you can submit SSLC book, driving license, passport, school admission registers or other records that are issued by Government.
• Identify proof of bride and groom.
• Address proof of bride and groom.
• Memorandum signed by both husband and wife for marriage along with two witnesses.
• Application form along with a copy of the certificate to prove age, marriage solemnization and so on.

Kerala Marriage Registration Online

To complete the marriage registration online within one year of solemnization, follow these steps. You are required to punch in the details of the date of Marriage but the application can be submitted only after the marriage is solemnized.

Step 1: Visit the 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.



Login to Sevana

Step 5: You will notice that the "Login" screen is 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 registering for the first time, choose “New Login” and provide all the details for registration.


Enter Form I Details

Step 7: After completing the registration, you will receive a new window for Form 1.

Step 8: Enter all the mandatory fields.

• 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: The photos of the Groom and Bride photos need to be uploaded.

Submit the Application

Step 10: After entering all details and uploading photos, click on the “Submit” button.

Step 11: After successful submission, Form I will be generated for verification. You can edit the form, if necessary.

Step 12: Once you have made the necessary changes in the application, resubmit the form for updating the correction.

Submit Hard Copy to Local body

Step 13: Take a print out of this form and submit it to the concerned local body duly signed by all concerned.

Step 14: The husband and wife need to file this application in person along with the required fee in the concerned local body where the Marriage was solemnized.

Sign on Form II

Step 15: The concerned official of the local body will download the application from the web, include inward number and fee payment details, authenticate the particulars with the documents furnished, and will make corrections, if necessary.

Step 16: After the verification, the concerned official will issue Form III for the husband and wife to sign on.

Delayed Applications

If you are applying after one year of solemnization, registration is done after the delay is dutifully overlooked by the authorized authority.

In case of delayed application, the registration officials will forward the application along with the Form II and other compulsory enclosures to the concerned Registrar General for pardoning the delay.

Once you have submitted all the forms successfully, you can Download the Kerala Marriage Certificate Online.