Marriage registration · Delhi

Marriage Registration in Delhi: SDM, Online Steps

In Delhi, marriages are registered through the Revenue Department, with the application starting on the e-District portal and the registration done at the office of the SDM for the area where either spouse lives.

By TrueSaath · published 2026-10-22 · checked October 2026

Official portal: e-District Delhi

Who registers marriages in Delhi

Marriage registration in the National Capital Territory is a Revenue Department service. Applications go to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the revenue subdivision where either the husband or the wife lives, and the online entry point is the Delhi e-District portal. District offices of the Revenue Department, such as the Deputy Commissioner offices for South, South East and Central Delhi, publish the same service on their own websites with forms and guidance.

Which law applies

The Revenue Department explains the choice in plain terms:

If both spouses are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh, or have converted to one of these religions, an already solemnised marriage is registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
If either or both spouses are not, the marriage is registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, either as a fresh marriage before the SDM acting as Marriage Officer or as registration of an existing marriage.

Delhi also has the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014, which applies to marriages regardless of religion. In a recent case brought by a Muslim couple, the Delhi High Court noted that the online portal offered only the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act options, and directed the Revenue Department to enable registration under the 2014 Order online. Before your appointment, check the portal for which options are currently available. Background on each Act: Hindu Marriage Act registration and court marriage under the Special Marriage Act.

How the process runs

Hindu Marriage Act

Apply on e-District with details of both spouses and the marriage, and upload the documents.
Documents are verified and a date is fixed for registration.
Both spouses appear before the SDM on that date with the required witness, sign the register and receive the certificate.

The Revenue Department says it normally responds within 15 days for a registration under the Hindu Marriage Act.

Special Marriage Act

Apply with the notice and documents. A public notice is issued inviting objections.
Registration takes place 30 days after the date of the notice, once the SDM has decided any objection received during that period.
Both spouses and three witnesses must be present on the date of registration.

The Revenue Department gives a normal response time of 60 days for the Special Marriage Act, reflecting the notice period.

Documents asked for in Delhi

Application signed by both spouses.
Proof of date of birth: matriculation certificate, passport or birth certificate.
Residence proof for the spouse whose address gives the SDM jurisdiction.
Separate affidavits in the prescribed format. For the Hindu Marriage Act, the affidavit includes a statement that the spouses are not within the prohibited degrees of relationship.
For a divorcee, a copy of the divorce decree; for a widow or widower, the death certificate of the former spouse.
Wedding proof, photographs and witness identity proof, as listed on the portal.

The general checklist is in our documents guide.

Fees

Different Delhi government pages have listed different fee figures over time, so rely on the amount the e-District portal shows when you apply.

Tips for Delhi applicants

Apply to the SDM office linked to the address on your documents. If the address on your Aadhaar differs from where you live now, sort that out first.
Witnesses should carry original identity and address proof.
If you are an inter-religion couple, the Special Marriage Act notice period means you should apply well ahead of any visa or travel date.

Procedures, forms and fees change from time to time, so confirm the current steps on the official portal or at the registering office before you apply. This page is general information, not legal advice.

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Questions people ask

Where do I register my marriage in Delhi?

With the SDM of the revenue subdivision where either spouse lives. The application starts on the Delhi e-District portal.

How long does marriage registration take in Delhi?

The Revenue Department says it normally responds within 15 days under the Hindu Marriage Act and 60 days under the Special Marriage Act.

Can a Muslim or Christian couple register a marriage in Delhi?

Yes. Options include the Special Marriage Act and the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014; check the portal for which options it currently offers.

How many witnesses are needed for a Special Marriage Act registration in Delhi?

The Revenue Department says both spouses and three witnesses must be present on the registration date.

Sources

Checked in October 2026. Rules, fees and portals change; confirm on the official site before you apply.

The national guides

Hindu Marriage Registration under Section 8 HMAhindu marriage registration Court Marriage under the Special Marriage Actcourt marriage process Documents for Marriage Registrationdocuments required for marriage registration Inter-Religion Marriage Registration in Indiainter religion marriage registration Marriage Certificate Onlinemarriage certificate online NRI Marriage Registration and Apostille in Indianri marriage registration Late Marriage Registrationlate marriage registration Name Change after Marriagename change after marriage

Other states

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