I recently registered my marriage and got my marriage certificate after a few day's effort in Kerala. I am sharing my learning through this post.
As per Kerala Government order in 2008, all marriages happening after 2008 should be mandatory registered under the respective local body (Panchayath, Municipality or Corporation) where the marriage was held. For example if your marriage occurred in a temple under Aluva Municipality you should register your marriage under Aluva Municipality. Registration will happen only between 11 AM and 3 PM. So, if you go there some other time you may have to go again.
Procedure varies according to the time period you are registering after the marriage.
With in 45 days- As per rules you should ideally register your marriage with in 45 days. If you are registering your marriage with in 45 days you need the following documents.
- Filled up application form with one duplicate copy. You need to affix two photos each of bride and bridegroom.
- A certificate from the religious institution where marriage was held.
- Copy of Marriage Invitation (Good to have.)
- 2 copies of certificate (SSLC book, Passport or Voters ID) to prove age of bride and bridegroom attested by a gazetted officer.
Once you have all the documents, both bride and bridegroom need to go to the respective local body office with two witnesses. Witnesses should have identity proof. Fees for the registration is 10 rupees.
It may not take much time to complete the proceedings and will get your marriage certificate, but all depends on the official you are dealing with :-). If you are lucky you will get it with in one day. As per rules you should get it with in 5 days after submitting the application.
With in 45 days and 1 year - The more delay you make proceedings become tougher. If you are registering your marriage with in 45 days and 1 year you need the following documents.
- Filled up application form with one duplicate copy. You need to affix two photos each of bride and bridegroom. In addition you need to get both forms attested by a gazetted officer , MLA, MP or member of the local body. The same person should attest both forms.
- A certificate from the religious institution where marriage was held.
- Copy of Marriage Invitation (Good to have.)
- 2 copies of certificate (SSLC book, Passport or Voters ID) to prove age of bride and bridegroom attested by a gazetted officer.
- One application in white paper with 5 rupees stamp mentioning the reason for delay.
Once you have all the documents, both bride and bridegroom need to go to the respective local body office with two witnesses. Witnesses should have identity proof. Fees for the registration is 100 rupees. My situation was this. It took me 3-4 days to get it because I was not clear about the procedures and the officials were not helping much.
After 1 year - After 1 year proceedings become more tougher. You need the approval from the registrar general at the district level and it may take more time. If you are registering your marriage after 1 year you need the following documents.
- Filled up application form with two duplicate copies. You need to affix three photos each of bride and bridegroom. In addition you need to get all the three forms attested by a gazetted officer, MLA, MP or member of the local body. The same officer should attest all the forms.
- A certificate from the religious institution where marriage was held.
- Copy of Marriage Invitation (Good to have.)
- 2 copies of certificate (SSLC book, Passport or Voters ID) to prove age of bride and bridegroom attested by a gazetted officer.
- One application in white paper with 5 rupees stamp mentioning the reason for delay.
Once you have all the documents, both bride and bridegroom need to go to the respective local body office with two witnesses. Witnesses should have identity proof. Fees for the registration is 250 rupees. It may take more time because one copy needs to be sent to the district registrar general and needs his approval.
The detailed government order you can see here:
http://www.go.lsgkerala.gov.in/files/gz2008229_6397.pdf
Kerala government says you can apply online but detailed procedures are not listed any where.
