I want to register my marriage under the Special Marriage Act in Haridwar, what is the procedure?

Detailed Legal Analysis

To register your marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 in Haridwar, you need to follow a specific procedure that involves several steps and documentation.

The Special Marriage Act allows for the registration of marriages irrespective of the religion of the parties involved, making it a suitable choice for inter-religious marriages. Here’s a detailed procedure to register your marriage under this Act:

• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Both parties must be of marriageable age (at least 21 years for males and 18 years for females).
  • Neither party should have a living spouse at the time of registration.
  • Both parties should not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship as defined under the Act.
• Notice of Intended Marriage:
  • Visit the office of the Marriage Registrar in Haridwar.
  • Submit a notice of intended marriage in the prescribed format (Form A). This notice should include details such as names, addresses, and ages of both parties.
  • The notice will be displayed on the notice board of the Registrar's office for a minimum of 30 days.
• Documents Required:
  • Proof of residence (Aadhar card, voter ID, etc.) for both parties.
  • Age proof (birth certificate, school leaving certificate, etc.).
  • Affidavit stating the marital status of both parties.
  • Two passport-sized photographs of both parties.
  • If applicable, a divorce decree or death certificate of the previous spouse has to be submitted.
• Marriage Registration:
  • After the notice period of 30 days, both parties must appear before the Marriage Registrar along with three witnesses.
  • Fill in the marriage registration form (Form C) and submit it to the Registrar.
  • The marriage will be registered upon verification of documents and completion of formalities.
• Marriage Certificate:
  • Once registered, a marriage certificate will be issued, which serves as legal proof of marriage.

It is advisable to check with the local Marriage Registrar's office in Haridwar for any specific requirements or changes in procedures. The relevant provisions of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 can be referred to for detailed legal stipulations.