Court Marriage Documents

1 Identity & Age Proof

• Aadhaar Card — original + 2 self-attested copies, each partnerCurrent Delhi address must match the district
• PAN Card — original + 2 copies (backup ID)
• Birth Certificate OR 10th board mark-sheet (age proof)Groom 21+, Bride 18+ on application date
• Passport (acceptable as combined ID + age + photo proof)
• Voter ID / Driving Licence (additional support)

2 Residence Proof (30-day rule)

• One partner must show 30-day residence in the district where notice is filed
• Aadhaar with current district address (preferred)
• Electricity / water / gas / internet bill — last 3 months
• Registered rental agreement (with landlord's PAN)
• Bank statement / passbook with full address
• If shifted recently — affidavit by landlord + utility bill

3 Photographs

• 6 passport-size photos per partner — white backgroundRecent (last 3 months), 35mm × 45mm, matte finish
• 2 joint photos (couple together) — optional but recommended
• 2 photos of each of the 3 witnesses

See full photo specifications ›

4 Forms & Affidavits

• Form III — Notice of Intended Marriage (signed by both)Free at Marriage Officer's office or Delhi District Courts portal
• Joint affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper — marital status, age, willingness, no prohibited relationship
• Notary attestation on the affidavit
• Witness undertaking (signed on day of solemnisation)

See standard affidavit format ›

5 Witnesses (3 mandatory)

• All three witnesses must be 21+, personally know the couple
• Original Aadhaar / Voter ID of each witness
• 2 passport-size photographs per witness
• All three must be physically present on solemnisation day

Full witness rules ›

6 Fees

• Notice filing fee — ₹150
• Registration fee — ₹100
• Certificate fee — ₹100 (per copy)
• Stamp paper (affidavit) — ₹100-200
• Notary charges — ₹250-400

See full pricing ›

1 Identity & Age Proof

• Aadhaar Card — both partners (original + 2 copies)
• PAN Card — both partners
• Birth certificate / 10th mark-sheet / passport (age proof)
• Self-attested photo ID for each partner

2 Address Proof

• Aadhaar with current address (mandatory)
• One additional proof: utility bill, voter ID, rental agreement, or driving licence
• Address must fall under the SDM's sub-divisional jurisdiction

3 Marriage Ceremony Proof (most important)

• Wedding photographs — 8 to 12 prints showing key ritualsSaptapadi / pheras, jaimala, sindoor daan, anand karaj
• Priest / Pandit / Granthi letter on temple / gurudwara letterhead with date and venue
• Wedding invitation card (printed)
• Venue receipt — banquet hall / temple booking / hotel bill
• Wedding video clips (USB / phone)

4 Photographs

• 4-6 passport-size photos per partner (white bg)
• 2 joint photos
• 2 photos per witness

5 Affidavit

• Joint affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper
• States: both are Hindu/Sikh/Jain/Buddhist, ceremony was performed willingly, date and venue of ceremony
• Notarised by a licensed notary

Affidavit service ›

6 Witnesses & Fees

• 3 witnesses — original Aadhaar each, 2 photos each
• Ideally include people who attended the actual ceremony
• HMA registration fee — ₹100
• Certificate fee — ₹100
• No notice period — no notice fee

1 Eligibility

• Both parties must be Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, or convertible to Vedic Dharma
• Groom 21+, Bride 18+ on marriage date
• Neither party currently married (single / divorced / widowed)
• Not within prohibited degrees of relationship

2 Identity & Age

• Aadhaar Card — both parties
• Birth certificate or 10th mark-sheet
• 2 photo IDs each (passport / PAN / voter ID)

3 Address Proof

• Aadhaar with current address
• One additional utility bill or rental agreement

4 Photographs

• 4 passport-size photos per party (white bg)
• 2 joint photos
• 2 photos per witness

5 Affidavit & Declarations

• Joint affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper
• Declares: voluntary marriage, no current marriage, age, addresses
• If converting to Vedic Dharma — separate Shuddhi certificate from Arya Samaj

6 Witnesses & Mandir Fees

• 2-3 witnesses, original Aadhaar each
• Arya Samaj Mandir charges — ₹2,500-6,000 (varies by mandir)
• Issued: Arya Samaj marriage certificate (same day)

1 Application Form

• Marriage Registration Form (HMA) — available free at the SDM office
• Both partners must sign before the SDM
• Application can be in English or Hindi

2 Identity Documents

• Aadhaar — both partners (mandatory)
• PAN Card (additional ID)
• Passport / Voter ID / Driving Licence (backup)

3 Address Proof (sub-divisional)

• Must match the SDM's specific sub-division
• Aadhaar with current sub-division address
• Utility bill / rental agreement / voter ID

4 Ceremony Evidence

• Wedding photographs (8-10 prints showing rituals)
• Priest / Pandit / Granthi certificate
• Venue receipt / wedding invitation
• Arya Samaj certificate (if Arya Samaj marriage)

5 Affidavit

• Joint affidavit (₹100 stamp paper)
• States: faith, age, marital history, ceremony details
• Notarised

6 Witnesses & Fees

• 2-3 witnesses (most SDMs require 3)
• Aadhaar + 2 photos per witness
• SDM fee: ₹100 + ₹100 per certificate copy

1 Eligibility Rules

• All witnesses must be 21 years or older
• Must personally know the couple (any relationship is fine)
• Must be of sound mind and able to sign
• Family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours — all allowed

2 Documents Each Witness Brings

• Original Aadhaar Card (preferred)
• Voter ID or Driving Licence (acceptable alternatives)
• 2 passport-size photographs (white background)
• 1 self-attested photocopy of the ID

3 On the Day

• All three witnesses must be physically present
• Will be asked basic verification questions by the Marriage Officer
• Sign the marriage register in person
• Cannot be replaced by an affidavit only

4 If a Witness Cancels

• Substitute another adult who personally knows you
• Substitute must carry original ID + 2 photos
• If no replacement available — reschedule the appointment

1 Passport & Visa

• Valid passport (Indian / foreign)
• Current visa stamp (if foreign national)
• OCI / PIO Card (if applicable)
• Stamped entry page (last entry to India)

2 Embassy NOC

• No Impediment Certificate (NIC) from the embassy of the foreign country in New Delhi
• Processing time: 7-14 working days
• Affidavit before the Consul (in some embassies)

3 Foreign Documents (apostilled)

• Birth certificate (apostilled / attested)
• Divorce decree (if previously married, apostilled)
• Death certificate of previous spouse (if widowed, apostilled)
• All foreign-issued documents need apostille or embassy attestation

4 Residence Proof in India

• 30-day residence proof in the Indian district of registration
• Indian relative's residence + affidavit of host
• Guest house / serviced apartment receipts
• Hotel residency proof (long-stay)

5 Translations

• All non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator
• Translations must be notarised
• Both original + translation submitted together

6 After Marriage

• Apostille the marriage certificate at MEA's CPV Division for international use
• Apostille processing: 3-7 working days
• Get certified translations in the destination country's language

1 Divorcee Documents

• Final divorce decree / decree absolute from a Family Court
• Certified copy of the divorce decree
• Appeal period must be over (no pending appeal)
• Mutual consent or contested — both acceptable, but decree must be final

2 Widow / Widower Documents

• Death certificate of the deceased spouse (original + certified copy)
• Marriage certificate of the previous marriage (if available)
• Affidavit declaring widowhood

3 Standard Documents (same as fresh marriage)

• All standard ID + address + age proofs
• 3 witnesses with original ID
• Affidavit (mention previous marriage status)
• Photographs as per type (SMA or HMA)

4 Children from Previous Marriage

• Not required to be declared during marriage registration
• For property / succession purposes, separate declaration recommended
• Adoption / guardianship documents (if applicable, kept separately)

1 Nikah Documents

• Nikahnama (Nikah contract) signed by both parties, Qazi, and witnesses
• Mehr amount stated and agreed
• Qazi's signature and seal
• 2 male witnesses (or 1 male + 2 female as per Shariat)

2 Identity & Age

• Aadhaar Card — both parties
• Birth certificate or 10th mark-sheet
• Passport / PAN (additional ID)

3 Address Proof

• Aadhaar with current address
• One supporting proof (utility bill / rental)

4 Photographs

• 4-6 passport-size photos per party
• 2 joint photos
• 2 photos per witness

5 For Civil Registration

• Nikahnama itself is legal proof of marriage
• For govt records, register under SMA at the Marriage Officer's court
• Joint affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper
• 3 witnesses with original ID

6 Inter-faith Muslim Marriage

• Use Special Marriage Act — do not require religious conversion
• Standard SMA documents apply
• Mehr separately recorded in personal Nikahnama

1 Baptism / Faith Proof

• Baptism certificate from the church (both parties)
• Confirmation certificate (if applicable)
• Letter of recommendation from the parish priest

2 Identity & Age

• Aadhaar Card — both parties
• Birth certificate
• Passport / PAN (additional ID)

3 Banns of Marriage

• Marriage banns published at the church for 3 consecutive Sundays
• Public notice period — allows objections
• Replaces the 30-day SMA notice

4 Photographs & Witnesses

• 4-6 photos per party (white bg)
• 2 witnesses minimum (both Christian or as church requires)
• Witness original ID + 2 photos

5 Solemnisation

• Licensed church (Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox)
• OR a Marriage Registrar appointed under the Act
• Marriage certificate issued by the church / registrar

6 Inter-faith Christian Marriage

• Either convert (with Baptism) or use Special Marriage Act
• SMA route: standard SMA documents apply
• Apostille if needed for abroad use

1 Sikh — Anand Karaj

• Anand Karaj certificate from the Gurudwara
• Granthi's signed declaration
• Wedding photos showing 4 lavan ceremony
• Gurudwara booking receipt

2 Jain Marriage

• Priest / Granthi certificate from the Jain temple
• Wedding photos showing key Jain rituals
• Temple booking receipt
• Registered under Hindu Marriage Act at SDM

3 Buddhist Marriage

• Monk / Lama / Bhikkhu certificate
• Vihar / monastery booking receipt
• Wedding photos
• Registered under Hindu Marriage Act

4 Standard Documents (all three)

• Aadhaar — both parties
• Birth certificate / 10th mark-sheet
• Address proof
• 4-6 photos per party
• 3 witnesses with original Aadhaar
• Joint affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper

1 Header

• Title: “Joint Affidavit”
• Court reference: “Before the Marriage Officer, Court Name, Delhi”
• Stamp paper of ₹100 (any state, valid in Delhi)

2 Identification (each party)

• Full name as in Aadhaar
• Father's / mother's name
• Date of birth + age in completed years
• Religion / nationality
• Occupation
• Permanent and current addresses

3 Legal Declarations

• “I am unmarried / divorced / widowed”
• “I am not within prohibited degrees of relationship”
• “I am of sound mind and capable of consent”
• “I am marrying out of free will, without coercion”
• “All statements herein are true to my knowledge”

4 Closing

• Place and date
• Signatures of both parties (deponents)
• Notary attestation with notary's seal, signature, register number
• Photo affidavit thumbnail (some notaries require)

1 Size & Print

• Standard passport size: 35mm × 45mm
• Matte finish (glossy may reflect under verification scanner)
• Printed on photo paper (not regular paper)
• 8 prints minimum per partner (6 for forms + 2 spare)

2 Background & Lighting

• Plain white background (no shadows, no patterns)
• Even lighting from front (no harsh shadows)
• No filter, no editing
• No glare on glasses if worn

3 Subject Pose

• Full face, looking straight at camera
• Neutral expression (slight smile OK)
• Both ears visible (where culturally appropriate)
• Head covers allowed only on religious grounds

4 Recency & Cost

• Photos must be taken in last 3 months
• Couple's appearance should match current
• Studio cost: ₹100-200 for 8 prints
• Available at every court-area photo studio