Marriage registration · Tamil Nadu

Marriage Registration in Tamil Nadu: 2009 Act, TNREGINET

Tamil Nadu requires every marriage in the state to be registered under the Tamil Nadu Registration of Marriages Act, 2009, whatever the religion of the couple. Registration is handled by Sub-Registrars of the Registration Department.

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

Official portal: TNREGINET

The Tamil Nadu Registration of Marriages Act, 2009

The Tamil Nadu Registration of Marriages Act, 2009 provides for the compulsory registration of all marriages in the state. The state announced its commencement in November 2009. It applies to every marriage solemnised in Tamil Nadu after that date, irrespective of the religion, personal law, custom or usage of the parties, and it applies even if the marriage has also been registered under another law. Rules were made in the same year, the Tamil Nadu Registration of Marriages Rules, 2009, and their forms were last amended by a government order in June 2024.

Who registers

Registration is handled by the Registration Department (under the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department), through Sub-Registrar offices acting as Registrars. The department's portal, TNREGINET, carries marriage registration services and a Hindu marriage extract dashboard, and a separate state service lets you search registered marriages and apply online for a certificate.

Sub-Registrar offices also register marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and act as Marriage Officers under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

The memorandum and the 90-day window

Under the 2009 Act, the parties prepare a memorandum of marriage in the prescribed form, in duplicate, and deliver or send it to the Registrar:

within 90 days of the marriage; and
if that is missed, within a further 60 days on payment of an additional fee.

Originally the memorandum went to the Registrar of the area where the marriage was performed. A 2020 amendment (Tamil Nadu Act 33 of 2020) added the option of filing with the Sub-Registrar in whose jurisdiction either or both parties have their permanent place of residence, which helps couples who married in a different town.

If both windows have passed, ask the Sub-Registrar about the current procedure, or consider registration under the Hindu Marriage Act or section 15 of the Special Marriage Act. See registering a marriage after the wedding.

Signatures and documents

The memorandum is signed by both parties, by the person who solemnised the marriage, and by two witnesses. It must be accompanied by:

proof of the marriage, such as the invitation and photographs;
proof of age of both parties;
proof of address.

The forms are supplied by the Registrar free of cost, and forms and procedures are published on the department's portal. Our documents checklist covers the typical papers.

Choosing the right route in Tamil Nadu

Married by religious or customary ceremony in Tamil Nadu: file the memorandum under the 2009 Act. Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist couples can also register under the Hindu Marriage Act. See Hindu Marriage Act registration.
Planning a civil or inter-religion marriage: give notice under the Special Marriage Act at the Sub-Registrar office. See court marriage under the Special Marriage Act.

Fees

Registration fees and the additional fee for late filing are shown on TNREGINET or at the Sub-Registrar office.

Tips for Tamil Nadu applicants

Make sure the priest or person who solemnised the marriage signs the memorandum; it is part of the prescribed form.
If you live in a different district from where you married, use the 2020 option to file at the Sub-Registrar office near your permanent residence.

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.

Planning the wedding itself?

Find an auspicious date, match kundlis and send invitations with RSVP — free, and nothing you enter is stored.

Wedding muhurat Free invitation cards

Questions people ask

Is marriage registration compulsory in Tamil Nadu?

Yes. The Tamil Nadu Registration of Marriages Act, 2009 makes registration compulsory for all marriages solemnised in the state after it came into force.

What is the time limit to register a marriage in Tamil Nadu?

The memorandum is due within 90 days of the marriage, with a further 60 days allowed on payment of an additional fee.

Can we register near our home instead of where we married in Tamil Nadu?

Yes. A 2020 amendment allows filing with the Sub-Registrar where either or both parties have their permanent residence.

Who signs the memorandum of marriage in Tamil Nadu?

Both parties, the person who solemnised the marriage and two witnesses.

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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