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Marriage Registration in Lakshadweep: Nikah and Collectorate

Most marriages in Lakshadweep are Muslim marriages solemnised by nikah. The island Qazi records the nikah, and the UT Collectorate issues government marriage certificates.

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

Marriage in Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep’s population is overwhelmingly Muslim, and most marriages are solemnised by nikah under Muslim personal law, applied in India through the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. A nikah is a contract: it needs the offer and acceptance of the bride and groom, free consent, witnesses and the mahr agreed between them. It is complete when solemnised. Registration does not create the marriage; it records it. Our page on Muslim marriage law explains the conditions in more detail.

The Qazi’s record

On each island the Qazi (often written Khazi) solemnises or records nikahs and keeps the nikahnama. Legal reference guides describe the Qazi as the authority that gives the certificate for ordinary Muslim marriages, with no fixed application form. The nikahnama is the first proof of the marriage, so keep the original safe and make copies.

We did not find a Lakshadweep law making registration of Muslim marriages with a government office compulsory, or a law licensing Qazis the way some states do.

The government certificate

For a certificate issued by the administration, the national government services directory records that marriage certificates are issued by the Collectorate to citizens of the UT. The Revenue Department lists the marriage certificate among the documents available through the national services portal, and the Collectorate is at Revenue Bhavan, Kavaratti. Expect to be asked for the Qazi’s certificate or nikahnama, identity and address proof for both spouses, age proof, photographs and witnesses.

A Collectorate certificate is often what a passport office, a foreign embassy or an employer on the mainland expects. If it will be used abroad, it may also need state-level authentication and an apostille; see NRI marriage registration.

Other routes

• Special Marriage Act, 1954: available to any couple, including a Muslim marrying a non-Muslim without conversion, or a Muslim couple who want a civil marriage. It needs 30 days of residence in the district before notice, a 30-day objection period and three witnesses. See court marriage under the Special Marriage Act.
• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: for couples who are both Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh.
• Anand Karaj: the administration has notified the Lakshadweep Anand Marriages Registration Rules, 2017 for Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909.

Practical points for island residents

• Ask the Collectorate or your island’s administrative office whether you can submit papers locally or must travel to Kavaratti.
• Make sure names on the nikahnama, Aadhaar and school certificates match before you apply.
• Couples where one partner lives on the mainland should check that the mainland office will accept the certificate before travelling.

See the documents checklist.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, forms and procedures change, so confirm the current steps with 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; NALSA’s legal aid helpline is 15100.

Questions people ask

Who registers a Muslim marriage in Lakshadweep?

The island Qazi solemnises or records the nikah and keeps the nikahnama. A government marriage certificate is issued by the UT Collectorate.

Where is the Lakshadweep Collectorate?

At Revenue Bhavan in Kavaratti. The Revenue Department lists the marriage certificate among documents available through the national services portal.

Can a Muslim and a non-Muslim marry in Lakshadweep without conversion?

Yes, under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, after notice to the Marriage Officer and the 30-day objection period.

Is the nikahnama proof of marriage?

It is the primary record of the nikah. Many offices outside the islands also ask for a government certificate, so getting one from the Collectorate is useful.

Sources

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

• NeGD services directory: marriage certificates in Lakshadweep
• Lakshadweep Administration: Department of Revenue
• Lakshadweep Anand Marriages Registration Rules, 2017 (Legislative Department)
• Special Marriage Act, 1954 (India Code)

The national guides

Other states

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