Marriage Registration in Maharashtra

Marriage Registration in Maharashtra - An Overview

Marriage registration in Maharashtra is mandated by the Maharashtra Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2005. According to the state government, the marriage must be registered within 30 days of the wedding ceremony.

A marriage certificate serves as a legal document that validates the union between a bride and groom. This certificate is issued by the Maharashtra Government and holds significant legal importance. It can be obtained either traditionally or online through the official Aaple Sarkar website. The process involves submitting the required documents and information on the platform. Once approved, the marriage certificate will be issued.

Benefits of Marriage Certificate in Maharashtra

Getting a marriage certificate in Maharashtra provides multiple legal advantages. Here are five major benefits for the same:

• Serves as an Official Record

  A marriage certificate serves as an official record, providing tangible proof that the marriage has occurred. This document holds legal significance and can be used for various purposes.

• Restricts Child Marriages

  By requiring a marriage certificate, the authorities can ensure that the minimum age for marriage is upheld, thus curbing the alarming issue of child marriages.

• Helps in Property Inheritance

  One of the significant advantages of having a marriage certificate is that it allows widows to claim their rightful inheritance without any legal hurdles. This ensures that they are not denied their due rights after the loss of their spouse.

• Helps to curb Bigamy or Polygamy

  The marriage certificate system acts as a deterrent against bigamy or polygamy. With a documented record of the marriage, it becomes easier to identify and prevent illegal multiple marriages.

• Prevents Abandonment

  Obtaining a marriage certificate can discourage husbands from abandoning their wives. It serves as a legal commitment and reminder of their responsibilities towards their spouse.

Documents Required for Marriage Registration in Maharashtra

To get a marriage registration certificate in Maharashtra, you must provide the following documents:

• Proof of residency, which can be a utility bill, bank statement, or voter ID card.
• A copy of your marriage certificate or an affidavit of marriage.
• A passport size photograph of both partners.
• Payment for the applicable fees.

Process of Marriage Certificate Online Registration in Maharashtra

The process of online marriage certificate registration in Maharashtra is straightforward and can be completed online. It allows couples to register their marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act or the Special Marriage Act,1954 through the official state portal. Here is a step-by-step process:

• Step 1: Register using the user registration link: https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in/
• Step 2: Use the credentials you created during registration
• Step 3: Fill in general information and provide details of three witnesses
• Step 4: Upload a photograph, capture your thumbprint, and complete UID verification
• Step 5: Submit the application notice for approval from the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO)
• Step 6: Once approval is received from the SRO, proceed with the payment
• Step 7: The SRO will generate and provide a notice number
• Step 8: If the SRO raises a query regarding the notice, make the necessary corrections or updates
• Step 9: Visit the marriage office or the specified location for the marriage solemnisation after 30 days from the date of notice submission.

Application Fees For Marriage Registration in Maharashtra

When registering a marriage in Maharashtra, various fees apply based on the type of service and the timeline for submission. Below is a breakdown of the fees:

• Timeline for the Presentation of the Application

  • ₹100 if the registration is done within 90 days of marriage
  • ₹150 if the registration is done after 90 days but within one year
  • ₹200 if the registration is done after one year of marriage

• Fees Payable for Marriage Certificate

  • ₹100 is application for Marriage Registration under Special Marriage Act, 1954
  • ₹150 for Solemnisation of marriage at marriage registrar office
  • ₹1000 for solemnisation of marriage at any venue other than marriage registrar office
  • ₹25 for procuring marriage certificate

Special Schemes to Avail with Marriage Certificate in Maharashtra

There are special schemes designed to support newlyweds and strengthen financial security. Here is a list of special schemes provided in Maharashtra:

• Matrimonial Incentives

  The Matrimonial Incentives Scheme, funded by the State Government, aims to provide financial assistance to disabled individuals who marry a non-disabled person. The scheme targets individuals with at least 40% disability such as visual impairment, low vision, hearing impairment, and orthopedic disabilities.
  
  To be eligible, the couple must apply in the prescribed form to the District Social Welfare Office or the Assistant Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department in Mumbai. One of the spouses should have a minimum of 40% disability, and the couple must be a resident in Maharashtra.
  
  The scheme offers benefits up to ₹50,000, including a savings certificate worth ₹25,000, ₹20,000 in cash, ₹4,500 for household utilities, and ₹500 for attending the marriage incentive program.

• Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana

  The Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana was launched by the state government in October 2017 to promote communal and social harmony, while also curbing extravagance in wedding ceremonies. This scheme organises mass weddings in alignment with the rituals of various communities and religions.
  
  It aims to provide financial assistance for weddings, particularly for widows, abandoned, and divorced women. The scheme covers families with an annual income of ₹2,00,000 from all sources. Each eligible couple receives financial support, including ₹35,000 directly deposited into the bride's bank account, ₹10,000 for wedding materials such as apparel, ornaments, and utensils, and ₹6,000 for other wedding expenses, bringing the total assistance to ₹51,000 per marriage.

• Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste

  The main objective of the Inter-caste Marriage Incentive Scheme is to recognize and encourage the bold social step taken by couples entering into inter-caste marriages. The scheme provides financial assistance to help these couples settle into their married life. It is not intended as a supplementary scheme for employment generation or poverty alleviation.
  
  To qualify, the marriage must involve one spouse from a Scheduled Caste and the other from a Non-Scheduled Caste, be legally valid under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and registered accordingly. An affidavit confirming the marital status is required, and the application must be submitted within one year of marriage. Second or subsequent marriages do not qualify for the incentive, and any false information submitted will be punishable by law.
  
  The incentive amount is ₹2.50 lakh per marriage, with ₹1.50 lakh transferred to the couple’s joint bank account via RTGS/NEFT. The remaining amount is kept as a Fixed Deposit for three years. Initially implemented as a pilot scheme for 2013-15, it became a regular scheme in 2015 and was revised in 2020. Additionally, ₹25,000 is allocated for each marriage to organize a ceremony for handing over the incentive.

• Kanyadan

  Kanyadan Yojana, is being executed in Maharashtra for the welfare of newly married couples of Scheduled Castes, Freed Castes, Nomadic Tribes, and other backward classes with the motive to redress economic, social, and educational disparities.
  
  To be eligible for the scheme, both the bride and groom must be permanent residents of Maharashtra, with the groom being at least 18 years of age. The couple must also carry a caste certificate issued by an authority competent to issue one. The couples who go for a mass marriage ceremony receive ₹10,000 of financial assistance, while the organising agency or NGO receives ₹2,000 for every participating couple.
  
  The process of application includes gathering the couples and their documents by NGOs and submitting an e-proposal to the Assistant Commissioner of Social Welfare.

Latest News About Marriage Registration in Maharashtra

15 October 2024: Muslim Man Can Register Third Marriage, Says Bombay High Court

In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has stated that a Muslim man can register multiple marriages, as allowed under personal laws. A division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Somasekhar Sundaresan, on October 15, directed the deputy marriage registration office of the Thane Municipal Corporation to decide the application filed by a Muslim man in February last year, seeking to register his third marriage with a woman from Algeria.

Authorities had initially rejected his application, citing the Maharashtra Regulation of Marriage Bureaus and Registration of Marriage Act, which only recognises a single marriage. The court dismissed this refusal as ‘wholly misconceived,’ emphasising that the Act does not override Muslim personal laws, which permit up to four marriages. The bench ordered the Thane Municipal Corporation to review the application and directed the couple to submit required documents within two weeks for further proceedings.