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Documents for Marriage Registration: Checklist

Every state publishes its own list, but the papers asked for at a marriage registration counter are broadly similar across India. Use this checklist to prepare, then confirm the exact list for your state.

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

Why the list varies

Marriage registration in India runs through state rules: rules under section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act, rules under the Special Marriage Act, and in many states a separate compulsory-registration law. Each set of rules prescribes its own forms and supporting documents, and some offices add local requirements. Treat the list below as a starting point and check your state’s page on the marriage registration hub before you go.

Documents most states ask for

Application or memorandum

• The prescribed application form or memorandum of marriage, filled online or on paper and signed by both spouses. Some states need it in duplicate.

Proof of age for both spouses

• Birth certificate, Class 10 (matriculation or SSLC) certificate or passport are the documents most often accepted.
• The age proof matters because the law sets minimum ages: 21 for the man and 18 for the woman under the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act.

Proof of address

• Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, driving licence, ration card or a bank passbook, depending on the state. Address proof establishes that the office has jurisdiction, because you usually register where the marriage took place or where one of you lives.

Photographs

• Recent passport-size photographs of each spouse, and in many states a joint photograph of the couple.

Proof that the marriage took place

• The wedding invitation card.
• One or more photographs of the ceremony.
• Where available, a certificate or receipt from the temple, gurdwara, church, marriage hall or the priest who solemnised the marriage.

If you have no invitation card or photographs, read registering a marriage after the wedding for the alternatives offices commonly accept.

Affidavits

• Many states ask each spouse for an affidavit or declaration covering date and place of marriage, date of birth, marital status at the time of marriage, and in some states that the two are not within prohibited degrees of relationship. Uttar Pradesh, for example, asks for notarised affidavits to be uploaded.

Witnesses

• Most states require two or three witnesses to appear with identity and address proof. The Special Marriage Act itself requires three. Karnataka’s Hindu marriage rules ask for three adult witnesses; some states ask for two.

If either spouse was married before

• A copy of the divorce decree, or the death certificate of the former spouse, for a divorcee or a widow or widower. Our page on second marriage covers the wider considerations.

For a foreign national or NRI spouse

• Passport, visa and, where asked, a certificate of no impediment or marital status from the embassy. See the NRI marriage registration guide.

Practical tips

• Carry originals as well as self-attested copies; the registrar usually verifies originals at the appointment.
• Make sure names and dates of birth match across documents. A spelling mismatch is one of the most common reasons for a second visit.
• Scan documents to the size and format the portal specifies before you start the online form.

Fees

Fees are set by each state and are shown on the portal or at the office. Some states charge more for late registration.

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.

Questions people ask

Is Aadhaar compulsory for marriage registration?

Several state portals use Aadhaar for OTP or e-KYC verification, but the accepted documents differ by state. Check your state portal for whether another identity proof is allowed.

How many witnesses do we need to register a marriage?

It depends on the law and the state. The Special Marriage Act needs three; many state rules for already solemnised marriages ask for two or three.

Do we need the priest who performed the wedding to come?

Usually not in person, though some states ask for a certificate or details of the priest or place of worship. The Bombay High Court has quashed a circular that made the priest attend in Maharashtra.

Do witnesses need to bring documents?

Yes. Witnesses are generally asked to bring identity and address proof and, in some states, photographs.

Are the documents the same for court marriage and Hindu marriage registration?

They overlap heavily, but a court marriage also needs the notice of intended marriage and proof of 30 days residence in the district.

Sources

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

• Karnataka Stamps and Registration: documents for marriage
• Uttar Pradesh IGRS: marriage registration
• Delhi Revenue Department: marriage registration
• Telangana Registration Department: Hindu marriage registration procedure

More registration guides

By state

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