A marriage certificate serves as proof of marriage and is essential for several legal matters such as property rights, visa applications, and passport applications.
I am Supriya Gill, a lawyer and in this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of how to get a marriage certificate (Online and Offline) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, including the required documents and the procedures to follow.
The Maharashtra Regulation of Marriage Bureaus and Registration of Marriages Act, 1998 governs marriage registration in Mumbai. Other acts pertain to specific religions, such as The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1972, etc.
The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is available for those seeking inter-faith or inter-caste marriage or standard court marriages without any emphasis on personal beliefs.
To obtain a marriage certificate in Mumbai, the couple must visit the BMC office of their respective ward. While the online process involves filing an application and scheduling an appointment. The registration procedure requires the presence of the husband, wife, and 3 witnesses at the Marriage registrar’s office.
The process for court marriage or registering marriage in Mumbai differs from regular marriage registration. The documentation required for a marriage certificate in Mumbai also varies in these cases. Additionally, marriage registration in Mumbai falls under the Maharashtra Regulation of Marriage Bureaus and Registration of Marriages Act, 1998.
To know more in detail, read the full article.
Uses of Marriage Certificate?
- A marriage certificate serves as an official record of the marriage.
- It ensures compliance with minimum marriage age laws, preventing child marriages.
- Widows can use it to claim inheritance.
- It can help identify instances of polygamy or bigamy.
- It encourages husbands to remain committed to their wives.
- Women can use it to assert their rights and claim custody of their children.
- Additionally, a marriage certificate is commonly searched for to apply for passport and visa services, which can provide immigration benefits.
- It is also beneficial in availing Life Insurance benefits, family pensions, bank deposits, etc. if their spouse dies without nomination and otherwise too.
- Courts may require a marriage certificate in cases of Divorce/ Legal Separation/ Child Custody Alimony, etc.
Documents required to get a marriage certificate
- Personal basic documents of bride and groom, such as:
- Proof of age such as School/College leaving certificate, Birth certificate/ passport, etc.
- Proof of residence such as a Ration card/ Election card/ Adhaar card/ Passport, etc.
- Signature of the priest and the ID proof and the 3 witnesses’ proof
- Wedding cards and Photographs
- Memorandum of Marriage Form D details should be correctly entered
- Address Proof of witnesses such as Ration card/ Election card/ Adhaar card, etc.
- If Husband/Wife is of a different religion then as per the act either Husband or Wife have to convert his/her religion to match the religion of another to the said marriage before the date of marriage.
In this case, if one of the parties is converting himself/herself from his/her religion (by birth) and adopting the religion of the second party then they should produce the following documents (if applicable)
How to Apply for a Marriage Certificate in Mumbai? (Offline)
Step 1: To obtain a marriage certificate in Mumbai, you will need to first locate the appropriate registration office. This information can be found on the website of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).
Step 2: Once you have the office’s address and phone number, you can visit in person and request an application form for the marriage certificate.
Step 3: You will be required to provide identification such as a passport or driver’s license. If you are appearing on behalf of someone else, you can sign a declaration to that effect.
Step 4: The application form will require you to provide personal information such as your full name, date of birth, marital status, and the address where the marriage ceremony took place. A fee will also be required.
Step 5: After completing the application form and paying the fee, the registration officer will provide you with a receipt and instruct you to bring the completed forms and passport-sized photographs to a registry.
Step 6: At the registry, both parties will be required to sign a declaration form, along with witnesses if present. If applicable, you can present your passport and visa as well.
Step 7: Once the declaration form has been signed, the registrar will ask you to sign a document certifying that you are married under Indian law. Witnesses to your marriage ceremony at the registry may also be required to sign forms.
Step 8: Upon completion of all required processes, you will receive your marriage certificate.
How to Apply for a Marriage Certificate in Mumbai? (Online)
Step 1: First, you need to create an account with the Maharashtra State Registration Office (MSRO), you can either visit their office in person or use their website.
Step 2: On the left-hand side of the screen, select ‘Marriage’ and then choose ‘Online Form Submission’ from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Provide your name, address, and phone number on the next page, along with a copy of your ID card or a passport photo.
Step 4: Enter your marriage date and select your marital status (either ‘married’ or ‘unmarried’).
Step 5: Click on ‘Submit’ at the bottom of the page.
Step 6: A receipt will be sent to the email address you provided.
Step 7: Once you receive the receipt, visit the MSRO office in person or by post.
Step 8: Submit a copy of your marriage certificate along with a self-addressed envelope to receive your marriage certificate.
Registrar offices in Mumbai
To obtain a marriage certificate in Mumbai, applicants can visit any of the following offices:
- Joint District Registrar, Mumbai Suburban located in the Family Court Building, ground floor, Bandra Kurla Complex. It is open from 9.45 am to 5.30 pm and closed on Sunday, the second and fourth Saturday.
- Joint Sub Registrar, Andheri 1, MTNL Building, 2nd floor, Lulubhai Park, Station Road, Andheri, Mumbai 58. It operates from 7 am to 2 pm and is closed on Sunday, the second and fourth Saturday.
- Joint Sub Registrar, Borivali 1, MTNL Building, ground floor, Goregaon, Mumbai 22. It is open from 7 am to 2 pm but closed on Sunday and the second and fourth Saturday.
- Sub Registrar’s Office (Chembur), Kurla Taluka, R.C.V Marg, Administrative Buildings, Ground floor, Chembur, Mumbai-400071. It is located near the Rationing Office.
- Dy. Inspector General Of Registration, Mumbai located on the Ground floor, Old Custom House, Fort, Mumbai. It is open from 9.45 am to 5.30 pm and closed on Sunday, the second and fourth Saturday.
- Joint District Registrar, Mumbai City located in Old Custom House, Fort, Mumbai. The exact timing is as above.
- Joint Sub Registrar Mumbai City 2 located in Adarsh Nagar, MTNL Building, 1st Floor, Hatiskar Marg, Varali, Mumbai 25. It operates between 7 am and 2 pm and is closed on Sunday, the second and fourth Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions | FAQS
The Hindu Marriage Act requires a fee of Rs 100 for a marriage certificate, whereas the Special Marriage Act necessitates a fee of Rs 150.
For marriage registration in Mumbai under the Hindu Marriage Act, a response should be received within 15 days, while under the Special Marriage Act, the response time is 60 days. The issuance of a marriage certificate in Mumbai typically takes 7 days.
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