Marriage Registration in Jammu and Kashmir after 2019

Since the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was formed on 31 October 2019, the central Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act apply there. Marriage certificates are issued by Registrars of Marriages under the Revenue Department, with applications on the Jansugam portal.

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

Official portal: Jansugam Jammu and Kashmir

What changed in 2019

Before 2019, Jammu and Kashmir had its own state laws on many subjects, including marriage, and several central Acts did not extend there. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 changed this from 31 October 2019. Its Fifth Schedule lists central laws that apply to the new Union Territories, and the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is among them.

The change is visible in the text of the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Its extent clause used to leave out Jammu and Kashmir; India Code records that those words were omitted by the Reorganisation Act with effect from 31 October 2019. The Act now extends to the whole of India, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Ladakh became a separate Union Territory on the same day. If you live there, see marriage registration in Ladakh.

Who registers marriages

Marriage certificates in Jammu and Kashmir are issued by the Registrar of Marriages, a service of the Department of Revenue. Certificates issued through the online system carry a registration number and are digitally signed; a sample published on the portal was issued by the Registrar of Marriages at Suchetgarh.

Applying on Jansugam

The Union Territory's online services portal, Jansugam, lists two marriage services:

Application for Issuance of Marriage Certificate by Registrar of Marriages. This is the route for a marriage already solemnised, for example a Hindu or Sikh marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act. The document list includes the marriage card or other proof of marriage, and identity and address proof of a witness from the bridegroom's side and one from the bride's side.
Special Marriage Act Service. This covers civil and inter-religion marriages under the 1954 Act. Its document list includes the marriage card, marriage photographs and photo identity proof of the parties.

The services can be applied for in person, online or through a kiosk. Jansugam listings have shown different delivery times for the same service, so check the service page for the current figure. The e-UNNAT portal of the government also links to the marriage certificate service, and district websites, such as Budgam's, list it among revenue online services.

Which law applies to you

Both partners Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh: marry by religious ceremony and register under the Hindu Marriage Act. See Hindu Marriage Act registration.
Partners of different religions, or anyone wanting a civil marriage: the Special Marriage Act, with notice to the Marriage Officer of a district where one partner has lived for 30 days, a 30-day objection period and three witnesses. A marriage already performed by a religious ceremony can be registered under section 15. See court marriage under the Special Marriage Act.
Muslim couples: the nikah is governed by Muslim personal law. The statute book includes the Jammu and Kashmir Muslims Marriages Registration Act, 1981, but a Supreme Court judgment noted that it had not been brought into force, so ask the Registrar of Marriages how a nikah is registered today. Background: Muslim marriage law.

Documents to prepare

Proof of the marriage: invitation card, photographs, or a certificate from the place of worship or the person who solemnised it.
Age proof of both partners, such as a birth certificate or matriculation certificate.
Identity and address proof of both partners and of the witnesses.
Photographs as the service asks for.
A divorce decree or the former spouse's death certificate, where relevant.

Our documents checklist has the general list.

Ages and conditions

Under both central Acts the man must have completed 21 years and the woman 18. Neither may have a living spouse, and both must be able to give valid consent.

Fees

The fee, if any, is shown on the Jansugam service page when you apply.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures, forms and fees change, so confirm the current steps on the official portal or at the registering office before you apply. For your own situation, speak to a lawyer, or get free legal aid through your District Legal Services Authority or NALSA's toll-free legal aid helpline 15100. More state guides are on our marriage registration hub.

Planning the wedding itself?

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Questions people ask

Does the Special Marriage Act apply in Jammu and Kashmir now?

Yes. The words excluding Jammu and Kashmir were omitted from the Act by the Reorganisation Act, 2019, with effect from 31 October 2019.

Who issues marriage certificates in Jammu and Kashmir?

The Registrar of Marriages under the Department of Revenue. The certificates issued online carry a registration number and a digital signature.

Which portal is used for marriage registration in J&K?

Jansugam, which lists a marriage certificate service by the Registrar of Marriages and a separate Special Marriage Act service.

Is Ladakh covered by the Jammu and Kashmir marriage registration process?

No. Ladakh became a separate Union Territory on 31 October 2019 and has its own administration and services.

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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