Court Marriage Delhi
Saket · Rohini · Dwarka · Since 2015
An honest, practical guide to getting your marriage registered in Delhi — which Act applies to you, the exact documents, the real fees, and how to get your certificate fast. Written by the advocate-led team that handles Delhi SDM registrations every week.
Wedding registration in Delhi is the legal recording of your marriage with the Government of NCT of Delhi. You apply online on the Delhi e-District portal (edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in), upload your documents, book an appointment, and visit the SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) office with two witnesses. The government fee is ₹100 under the Hindu Marriage Act and ₹150 under the Special Marriage Act. A normal certificate takes about 15–21 days, while Tatkal (urgent) registration can be completed in a single working day. Once verified, you receive an official Delhi marriage certificate that is valid across India and abroad.
If you have recently got married in Delhi, the very next legal step is to get your marriage registered. Many couples in Delhi and NCR delay this because they are not sure about the process, the documents, or which law applies to them. This page removes that confusion completely. We are a team of marriage registration lawyers and certificate consultants who help couples across Delhi every single day, and we have put everything in one place — the eligibility, the documents, the fees, the step-by-step process, and the difference between Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act registration.
A registered marriage is no longer optional in real life. Whether you want to apply for a spouse visa, open a joint bank account, change your name on official records, claim insurance or pension, sponsor your partner abroad, or simply have legal proof of your relationship, the marriage certificate is the one document everyone asks for. Banks ask for it, embassies ask for it, passport offices ask for it, and even employers ask for it during background checks.
Wherever you live — Rohini, Pitampura, Dwarka, Janakpuri, Saket, Karol Bagh, Laxmi Nagar, or anywhere in North, South, East, West or Central Delhi — the process below applies to you. And if you would rather not stand in queues or worry about a single missing paper, our team can handle the entire registration for you from start to finish.
Want your Delhi marriage certificate without the stress? We pre-verify documents, book your SDM slot and manage the whole day for you — same-day Tatkal option available.
Wedding registration in Delhi means officially recording your marriage in the government register maintained by the Office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) under the Department of Revenue, Government of NCT of Delhi. Once recorded, the government issues a marriage certificate — a single-page legal document that confirms two people are lawfully married, along with the date of marriage and their personal details.
People use the terms "wedding registration", "marriage registration" and "marriage certificate" to mean the same thing, and so do we on this page. In simple words, the wedding is the ceremony, and the registration is the legal paperwork that turns that ceremony into a recognised marriage in the eyes of the law.
There are two separate laws under which a marriage can be registered in Delhi:
Choosing the correct Act is the single most important decision in the whole process, because it changes your documents, your timeline and your fee. This is exactly where most couples make mistakes, and where a marriage registration lawyer in Delhi saves you weeks of back-and-forth.
You can apply for wedding registration in Delhi if you meet any one of the following conditions:
In short: if your marriage happened in Delhi, or if at least one of you lives in Delhi, you can register here.
Before applying, both partners must satisfy the basic legal conditions for a valid marriage in India:
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age of groom | Minimum 21 years |
| Age of bride | Minimum 18 years |
| Mental capacity | Both of sound mind and able to give valid consent |
| Existing marriage | Neither partner should have a living spouse (no bigamy) |
| Prohibited relationship | Couple must not fall within prohibited degrees (unless custom permits) |
| Free consent | The marriage must be by free will, without force or fraud |
If you were previously married, you will also need proof of how that marriage ended — a divorce decree if divorced, or a death certificate of the former spouse if widowed.
Keeping your papers ready is half the battle. Below is the complete documents checklist for wedding registration in Delhi. Carry one self-attested photocopy of each, and bring the originals for verification at the SDM office.
| # | Document | Who / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application form (signed) | Both husband and wife |
| 2 | Proof of date of birth | Aadhaar, PAN, passport, 10th certificate, or birth certificate |
| 3 | Address proof | Aadhaar (preferred), voter ID, passport, electricity bill or rent agreement |
| 4 | Passport-size photographs | 2 each of husband and wife |
| 5 | Marriage/wedding photograph | A photo of the couple from the wedding (HMA) |
| 6 | Wedding invitation card | Usually required under the Hindu Marriage Act |
| 7 | Affidavit | Joint affidavit on stamp paper — date of marriage, marital status, nationality |
| 8 | Two witnesses | With PAN/Aadhaar and address proof — witnesses must have attended the wedding |
| 9 | Proof of solemnisation | Certificate from the temple/priest, if applicable (HMA) |
| 10 | Divorce decree / death certificate | Only if either partner was previously married |
| 11 | Passport & visa copies | For NRI or foreign national applicants |
Tip: names must match exactly across all documents. Even a small spelling difference between your Aadhaar and PAN can delay verification. Our team checks every document before submission to avoid rejection.
Not sure which documents apply to you? Send us a quick message and get a personalised checklist for your exact case — Hindu, Special Marriage, NRI or inter-caste.
One of the most searched questions is "how much is marriage registration in Delhi?" The official government fee is very small. The total amount you pay depends on whether you opt for the normal process or Tatkal, and whether you take professional assistance.
| Type of Registration | Government Fee | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 | ₹100 | ~15–21 days |
| Special Marriage Act, 1954 | ₹150 | ~30–45 days (includes 30-day notice) |
| Tatkal / Urgent registration | Government fee + Tatkal charges | As fast as 1 working day |
| Professional / lawyer-assisted | Service fee on top of govt fee | Fastest, fully managed |
The ₹100 / ₹150 figures are the statutory government fees. Affidavit/stamp paper, notary, photographs and professional assistance are charged separately. Tatkal charges are revised by the government from time to time — see our Pricing & Packages page or call us for the current Tatkal fee.
Here is the complete marriage registration process in Delhi, explained in simple steps. This is the same flow followed at every SDM office, whether in Tis Hazari, Patiala House, Karkardooma or your local sub-division.
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose the Act | Decide between Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act based on your situation. |
| 2. Online application | Register and fill the form on the Delhi e-District portal (edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in). |
| 3. Upload documents | Upload scanned copies of ID, address proof, photos and affidavit. |
| 4. Pay the fee | Pay the government fee online and choose your preferred SDM office. |
| 5. Book appointment | Select an available appointment date with the SDM / Marriage Officer. |
| 6. Visit the SDM office | Both partners and two witnesses appear in person with original documents. |
| 7. Verification | The SDM verifies identities, documents and witness statements. |
| 8. Certificate issued | On approval, the official Delhi marriage certificate is issued (and can be downloaded online). |
Under the Hindu Marriage Act, the appointment is usually given within about 15 days, and the certificate follows soon after the verification visit. Under the Special Marriage Act, a 30-day public notice is published first; if no valid objection is received, the marriage is solemnised and registered after that period.
Delhi has made the first half of the process fully online, which is a big relief for working couples. You no longer have to take repeated trips just to submit forms. Here is how online marriage registration in Delhi works:
Important: "online registration" does not mean you never visit the office. Indian law requires the couple and witnesses to appear in person for verification. What is online is the application, payment and appointment booking — which already saves you a lot of time.
If you need your certificate urgently — for a visa interview, a job posting abroad, a passport application or any time-sensitive requirement — Tatkal marriage registration in Delhi is the answer. Under the Tatkal scheme, the registration is fast-tracked and the certificate can be issued within one working day, against payment of an additional Tatkal fee over the normal government charge.
Tatkal is ideal when:
Because Tatkal moves fast, there is no room for document errors — one wrong paper and the urgent slot is lost. This is the most common reason couples choose professional help for Tatkal registration. We pre-verify everything so your same-day appointment goes through smoothly. See our dedicated same-day court marriage Delhi page for the full one-day plan.
Need your marriage certificate in 24 hours? Ask about our Tatkal same-day wedding registration service in Delhi. We handle documents, affidavits and the SDM appointment for you.
If both partners are Hindu, Sikh, Jain or Buddhist and you have already performed your wedding ceremony — a temple wedding, a saat phere ceremony, or any traditional rite — you register under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. This is the most common type of registration in Delhi.
Key points for Hindu marriage registration:
Couples who have not yet performed a ceremony often combine an Arya Samaj marriage with same-day SDM registration — a faster route that gives both religious and legal validity.
The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is a secular law that lets any two Indian citizens marry, regardless of their religion. It is the law used for court marriage in Delhi, inter-faith marriages, and couples who do not wish to perform a religious ceremony.
How Special Marriage Act registration works:
The government fee is ₹150. Because of the mandatory 30-day notice, this route takes longer than Hindu registration — usually 30 to 45 days. If you are planning an inter-caste or inter-religion marriage, this is the Act for you, and it gives full legal protection to both partners. Read more in our Special Marriage Act 1954 guide.
Non-Resident Indians and foreign nationals can also register their marriage in Delhi, and this is one of the most common reasons couples approach us, because NRI cases have extra documentation and a strict embassy-acceptable format. Whether you married in India and now live abroad, or you are an Indian marrying a foreign national, registration is possible.
Additional documents usually required for NRI marriage registration:
For spouse visas, immigration and overseas use, the certificate often needs apostille or MEA attestation. We guide NRI clients on the complete chain — registration, attestation and apostille — so the certificate is accepted abroad without rejection.
Inter-caste and inter-faith couples have full legal right to marry and register in Delhi. Depending on your situation, you can register either under the Hindu Marriage Act (if both belong to faiths covered by it and a ceremony has taken place) or under the Special Marriage Act (for inter-religion couples, or where no religious ceremony is performed).
Inter-caste marriages are fully protected under Indian law, and a registered certificate is your strongest legal safeguard. It also helps you access several government schemes and incentives offered to inter-caste couples. We handle such cases with complete confidentiality and care — see our inter-caste marriage Delhi page for the full process and protection options.
At the end of the process you receive your Delhi marriage certificate, issued by the Government of NCT of Delhi. This single document is your lifetime legal proof of marriage. It contains:
The certificate can be downloaded from the Delhi e-District portal once issued, and you can request additional certified copies if needed. If you ever lose it, a duplicate can be obtained — we can help with that too.
A registered marriage is far more than a piece of paper. Here is why every couple in Delhi should register without delay:
From handling thousands of cases, these are the errors that cause delays and rejections most often:
Each of these looks small but can push your certificate back by weeks. A quick expert review before submission removes almost all of this risk.
| Registration Type | Notice Period | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hindu Marriage Act | None | ~15–21 days |
| Special Marriage Act | 30 days (mandatory) | ~30–45 days |
| Tatkal / Urgent | None | 1 working day |
| NRI / Foreign national | Depends on Act | Varies (plus attestation / apostille time) |
Timelines depend on document readiness, the SDM office workload, and whether everything is correct on the first attempt. With professional assistance, most normal cases are completed at the earliest available appointment.
You can do the registration yourself — but most couples come to us after one failed attempt, a rejected document, or a lost appointment. Professional help is not about doing what you cannot; it is about saving your time and removing risk. Here is what we take care of:
Couples across Delhi choose us because we make a confusing legal process feel simple. We explain everything in plain language, we are upfront about fees, and we treat every case — Hindu, Special Marriage, NRI or inter-caste — with the same care and confidentiality.
Book your FREE wedding registration consultation. Tell us your situation and we will tell you exactly what to do — which Act, which documents, how long it takes, and the total cost. No obligation.
Apply online on the Delhi e-District portal, upload your documents, pay the fee, book an SDM appointment, and visit with two witnesses for verification. The certificate is issued after approval.
ID and address proof of both partners, date-of-birth proof, passport photos, a wedding photo and invitation card (HMA), a joint affidavit, and two witnesses with their ID.
The government fee is ₹100 under the Hindu Marriage Act and ₹150 under the Special Marriage Act. Tatkal and professional services cost extra.
About 15–21 days under the Hindu Marriage Act and 30–45 days under the Special Marriage Act. Tatkal registration can be done in one working day.
Yes. The application, payment and appointment are online via the e-District portal, but the couple and witnesses must appear in person for verification.
Yes. Registration is required to obtain a legal marriage certificate, which is needed for visas, banks, passports and most official purposes.
Neither is "better"; they apply to different situations. HMA is for already-solemnised Hindu/Sikh/Jain/Buddhist marriages; SMA is for inter-faith, civil and court marriages.
You generally register where the marriage took place or where a partner resides. If at least one partner lives in Delhi, you can usually register here.
There is no strict deadline under the Hindu Marriage Act, but it is best to register as soon as possible to avoid extra affidavits and delays.
Yes. Both the husband and wife, along with two witnesses, must appear in person at the SDM office for verification.
Two witnesses are required for Hindu Marriage Act registration. Three witnesses are required for solemnisation under the Special Marriage Act.
It is the urgent option where the certificate is issued within one working day against an additional Tatkal fee.
Yes, through the Tatkal scheme, provided all documents are correct and complete.
₹100 under the Hindu Marriage Act and ₹150 under the Special Marriage Act, plus any Tatkal or professional charges.
Yes. NRIs and foreign nationals can register, with additional documents like passport, visa and an embassy single-status certificate.
It is generally required under the Hindu Marriage Act as proof that the ceremony took place, but requirements can vary by office.
Name mismatches cause rejections. They should be corrected, or supported by an affidavit, before applying.
Yes, with proof — a divorce decree if divorced, or the death certificate of the former spouse if widowed.
Court marriage (under the Special Marriage Act) both solemnises and registers the marriage. Registration of a religious wedding (under HMA) only records an existing marriage.
It is not legally compulsory, but a lawyer or consultant prevents document errors, saves time, and is very helpful for Tatkal and NRI cases.
Every district and sub-division has one — for example near Tis Hazari, Patiala House and Karkardooma, plus offices serving Rohini, Dwarka, Saket and other areas.
Yes. Inter-caste marriages register normally, and inter-faith couples register under the Special Marriage Act.
It is a public notice period to invite objections. If none are valid, the marriage is solemnised after 30 days.
Yes. Once issued, the certificate can be downloaded from the Delhi e-District portal.
You can apply for a certified duplicate copy from the issuing office. We can assist with this.
Yes, but for many countries it must be apostilled or attested by the MEA for overseas use.
Under current Indian law, marriage registration is available to heterosexual couples. We update this page as the law evolves.
Use the SDM office of your sub-division. We can tell you exactly which office to visit based on your address.
Yes. We manage documents, affidavits, appointment booking and follow-up end to end — including Tatkal and NRI cases.
Just call or WhatsApp us at 9891343962 with your basic details. We will tell you the Act, documents, timeline and cost, and begin right away.
For verification, you can refer to these official sources:
This guide is prepared and reviewed by the Court Marriage Delhi team — advocate-led marriage registration consultants practising since 2015, led by Deepu Yadav. We assist couples — including Hindu, Special Marriage Act, inter-caste and NRI cases — across all districts of Delhi NCR, and we update this page regularly as government rules change.
Disclaimer: This page is for general information and does not replace personalised legal advice. Government fees, forms and timelines may change. We are a private consulting firm; final issuance is subject to applicable government norms and the Marriage Registrar's discretion.
100% genuine reviews from couples who registered their marriage with our team across Delhi.