This post describes how a marriage can be registered in Mumbai. All rules, regulations, and requirements are mentioned here that are necessary to proceed with marriage registration in the state of Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra Regulation of Marriage Bureaus and Registration Marriages Act, 1998 governs marriage in the state and if a couple wishes to get married, they need to register themselves under this act. Other Acts govern marriage in the state, including The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1972, and for inter-faith or inter-caste marriages, there is the Special Marriage Act,1954. The marriage certificate serves as legal proof of the union. It also ensures the authenticity of relationships and social security for married women. It is an important document — perhaps not immediately after marriage, but at some point. Furthermore, it is required if you want to take your spouse’s surname, obtain a passport, and many other things. In Mumbai, the processing time ranges from 15 to 60 days.

What is the Qualifying Criteria for a Couple to Get Married?

The eligibility criteria for a couple to get married in Maharashtra are as followed: 

• Men should be 21 years of age and women should be of at least 18 years of age to attain a marriage certificate in the state. Under the Special Marriage Act, of 1954, both the parties need to be 21 years of age. 
• The groom or bride should prove that they are a permanent resident of India to obtain a marriage certificate. 
• The spouse of the concerned party should be living during the time of marriage. 

What are the Advantages of Obtaining a Marriage Certificate?

There are numerous other advantages to having a marriage certificate. These are their names:

• It is extremely helpful in obtaining a visa/passport for the spouse. A change in maiden name is often required when applying for a visa. Marriage is the legal document that must be submitted.
• It aids in the recovery of property, savings, and life insurance claims following the death of a partner.
• It is an important document that the court may request in legal cases such as divorce, alimony, and custody of children.
• A marriage certificate is required to apply for a loan or to purchase real estate.
• It is the most persuasive evidence in many cases, such as second marriages.: 
• Despite the above advantages, many couples do not register their marriage. They are unaware of the procedure for obtaining a marriage certificate.

Does Religion Play a Role in Determining the Appropriate Act for Marriage Registration?

The Special Marriage Act of 1954 enables people of all faiths and atheists and agnostics to marry whoever they want. The only requirement for such couples is their Aadhar Card and biometric verification. These two are necessary for Online Marriage Certificate Registration.

When Does a Marriage Need to be Registered?

Registration of marriages can be undertaken after it is conducted by a priest or it can also be solemnised directly at the sub-registrar’s office. Those living in Mumbai city can register marriages at the Old Customs House and those residing in Mumbai Suburban can go to the Khar Telephone exchange building. In addition, the BMC only registers marriages that have been solemnised by a religious priest. 

For the jurisdiction of the marriage registration: https://services.india.gov.in/service/, the residence of either partner is considered. 

Which Offices Undertake Registration?

Different offices undertake registration. This depends on the religion of the couple. People who belong to Christian, Parsi or Jewish religions, need to register their solemnised marriages with the office of the Registrar General of Marriages at Pune. 

Priests of Christian, Parsi or Jewish religions share the details of the marriage conducted or solemnised by them with the Registrar General of Marriages at the office of the Inspector General of Registration and Controller of Stamps in Pune. The married couple submits the details of the ceremony along with Form 16 to apply for a copy of their registered marriage certificate. 

Marriage registrars at some Christian denominations directly apply for the Marriage Registration from there and collect the registration certificates from Pune and thereafter send it to respective couples. 

Marriages of other religions such as Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Muslims and Buddhists need to be registered with the local BMC under the Maharashtra Regulation of Marriage Bureaus and Registration of Marriages Act, 1998. The couple has to submit photos of the marriage card and the contact details of the priest who conducted the marriage. 

In the case of a Muslim marriage, a translated copy of Nikahnama, if it is in Urdu, needs to be submitted. 

What Are the Consequences of an Unregistered Marriage?

A marriage solemnised by a religious priest is not valid until it is registered with the government. Couples need to register marriages to enjoy maintenance, inheritance, succession rights for children, etc. It is also important if a couple is looking for joint investments or joint loans. All in all, for all legal and government-related works and perks, it is important to get your marriage registered. 

Conclusion:-

The above-mentioned are the important factors that should be kept in mind if one is looking to get their marriage registered in Mumbai. Be it any religion, you can check the government guidelines and proceed in accordance. To make the process smooth and hassle-free, you can take help from the legal experts of Vakilsearch.