indian marrige law

8/14/2019 Indian marrige law

1/39

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

LAW

COMMISSION

OF

INDIA

Laws on Registration of Marriage and Divorce

A !ro"osa# for Conso#idation and Refor$

Report No. 211

OCTOBER 2008


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LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA (REPORT NO. 211)

Laws on Registration of Marriage and Divorce

A !ro"osa# for Conso#idation and Refor$

Forwarded to Dr% &% R% '(ardwa)* +nion Minister for

Law and ,-stice* Ministr. of Law and ,-stice*

Govern$ent of India /. Dr% ,-stice AR% La0s($anan*

Char!a"# Law Co$$ission of India* on 12t( da. ofOcto/er* 3445%

2


3/39

T(e 15t(Law Co$$ission was constit-ted for a "eriod of

t(ree .ears fro$ 1st Se"te$/er* 3446 /. Order No%

A%784139193446:Ad$n%III ;LA< dated t(e 16t( Octo/er*

3446* iss-ed /. t(e Govern$ent of India* Ministr. of Lawand ,-stice* De"art$ent of Lega# Affairs* New De#(i%

T(e Law Co$$ission consists of t(e C(air$an* t(e

Me$/er:Secretar.* one f-##:ti$e Me$/er and seven

"art:ti$e Me$/ers%

C(air$an

&on=/#e Dr% ,-stice AR% La0s($anan

Me$/er:Secretar.

Dr% 'ra($ A% Agrawa#

F-##:ti$e Me$/er

!rof% Dr% Ta(ir Ma($ood

!art:ti$e Me$/ers

Dr% ;Mrs%< Devinder >-$ari Ra(e)a

Dr% >% N% C(andrase0(aran !i##ai

!rof% ;Mrs%< La0s($i ,a$/(o#0ar

S$t% >irti Sing(S(ri ,-stice I% Ven0atanara.ana

S(ri O%!% S(ar$a

Dr% ;Mrs%< S(.a$#(a !a""-

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3ndF#oor* '(agwan Das Road*

New De#(i:114 441

Law Co$$ission Staff

Me$/er:Secretar.

Dr% 'ra($ A% Agrawa#

Researc( Staff

S(ri S-s(i# >-$ar ? ,oint Secretar. @ Law Officer

Ms% !awan S(ar$a ? Additiona# Law Officer

S(ri ,% T% S-#aan Rao ? Additiona# Law Officer

S(ri A% >% +"ad(.a. ? De"-t. Law Officer

Dr% V% >% Sing( ? Assistant Lega# Adviser

Ad$inistrative Staff

S(ri S-s(i# >-$ar ? ,oint Secretar. @ Law Officer

S(ri D% C(o-d(-r. ? +nder Secretar.

S(ri S% >% 'as- ? Section Officer

S$t% Ra)ni S(ar$a ? Assistant Li/rar. @

Infor$ation Officer

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T(e tet of t(is Re"ort is avai#a/#e on t(e Internet at

(tt"?99www%#awco$$issionofindia%nic%in

B Govern$ent of India

Law Co$$ission of India

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DO No. 6(3)133/2007-LC(LS) 17 October, 2008

Dear Dr. Bhar!a" #$,

S%b& La!' o e*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e a D$orce

roo'a +or Co'o$at$o a e+or

a +or!ar$* here!$th the 211theort o+ the La! Co$''$o o+ $a o the

aboe '%b"ect.

he '%b"ect ha' bee tae % suo motu $ the $*ht o+ the $rect$o' o+ theS%ree Co%rt ate 14.2.2006 $ Seema v. Ashwani Kumar2006 (2) SCC 578 that aarr$a*e' 'ha be co%'or$9 re*$'tere a that the State :oeret' 'ha $$t$ate

act$o +or r%e-a$* $ th$' re*ar. here $' a *reat $er'$t9 $ re'ect o+ a!' +or

re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e'.

tho%*h !e hae a 122 9ear o Cetra ct, $;., the B$rth', Death' a

arr$a*e' e*$'trat$o ct, 1886 !h$ch 'tate' that er the ct, e*$'trar-:eera o+ B$rth', Death' a arr$a*e'

$' o9 to ee roer e?e' o+ the cert$+$e co$e' o+ arr$a*e e*$'ter' rece$e b9h$ %er the ro$'$o' o+ the Sec$a arr$a*e ct, 1@54, $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e

ct, 1872 a ar'$ arr$a*e a D$orce ct, 1@36.

he !e hae +e! other State a!' o arr$a*e e*$'trat$o $ Boba9, hra

rae'h, Ae't Be*a b%t o!here +a$%re to re*$'ter a arr$a*e !h$ch $' other!$'e

co%'or9, a++ect' the a$$t9 o+ arr$a*e $ a9 !a9. he a$$'trat$e ach$er9

+or re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' $' ot re*%ate eer9!here b9 oe a the 'ae a!. $++eret art' o+ the co%tr9 $t $' re*%ate e$ther b9 oe o+ the three cetra a!' the

B$rth', Death' a arr$a*e' e*$'trat$o ct, 1886, the e*$'trat$o ct, 1@08 a

e*$'trat$o o+ B$rth' a Death' ct, 1@6@ or b9 a oca a!, or a cob$at$o o+ both.

h$' create' a ot o+ co+%'$o !$th re*$'trat$o o++$c$a' a' !e a' eoe !at$* orre%$re to re*$'ter the$r arr$a*e'. here !a' a treeo%' $er'$t9 o+ a!' reat$* to

re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' a$* $t co$cate a co+%'$*.

S$$ar9 +or re*$'trat$o o+ $orce', the a!' !h$ch ro$e +or a9 $ o+

re*$'trat$o o+ $orce $' that o+ %'$' a ar'$' b%t ro$'$o' o+ the State a!' areorat a har9 $ ract$ce a th%' eae ab%at roo +or $'%'e o+ a! a ca%'e

*reat har'h$ to !oe.

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$e! o+ the aboe, the La! Co$''$o recoe' eactet o+ a


8/39

CONTENTS

Chater a*eNo.

Chater

Introd-ction 10

Chater

Registration of Civi# Marriages

. O Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1872 11

B. Ne! Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54 12

C. ore$* arr$a*e ct 1@6@ 13

Chater

Registration of &ind-* '-dd(ist* ,ain and Si0( Marriages

. F$% arr$a*e ct 1@55 14

B. F$% arr$a*e e*$'trat$o %e' 15

C. Sec$a a Loca La!' 16

Chater G

Registration of M-s#i$ Marriages

. Cert$+$cat$o b9 the Ha;$' 18

B. he Ha;$' ct 1880 18

C. Loca %'$ arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o ct' 1@

Chater G

Registration of C(ristian* !arsi* ,ewis( and 'a(ai Marriages

A. $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e ct 1872 22

B. ar'$ arr$a*e a D$orce ct 1@36 23

C. Baha$ a #e!$'h arr$a*e' 24

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Chater G

'irt(s* Deat(s and Marriages Registration Act 1556

. L$$te Scoe o+ the ct 25

B. ra'$''$o o+ arr$a*e ecor' 25

Chater G

Genera# State Laws on Marriage Registration

. Boba9 e*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' ct 1@54 27

B. La!' o+ Other State' 2@

Chater G

Registration of Divorces

A. D$orce' Obta$e O%t'$e the Co%rt 30

B. D$orce' Obta$e $ Co%rt' 31

Chater I

Findings and Reco$$endations

. $$*' 32

B. ecoeat$o' 34

@


10/39

C&A!TER I

Introd-ction

S$ce ebr%ar9 2006 the S%ree Co%rt ha' $ Seema v. Ashwani Kumar$rectethe State *oeret' thr$ce to +rae %e' +or co%'or9 re*$'trat$o o+ a

arr$a*e' $rre'ect$e o+ the re$*$o a er'oa a! o+ the art$e'. he State'

are o! $ the roce'' o+ $eet$* the'e $rect$e' $ ar$o%' !a9'.

ech$ca9, r%e' ha$* the e++ect o+ a! ca be +rae b9 a9

*oeret o9 %er a a%thor$t9 ee*ate to $t b9 roer e*$'at$o. Ae hae,

there+ore, to e?a$e +or th$' %ro'e ro$'$o' reat$* to arr$a*e re*$'trat$o

%er ar$o%' cetra a oca a!' $ +orce $ the co%tr9.

' $' !e o!, o%r co%tr9 ha' a %a '9'te o+ atr$o$a a!'.

Gar$o%' co%$t$e' or *ro%' o+ co%$t$e' are or$ar$9 *oere b9 the$r

er'oa a!', co$+$e or %co$+$e, !h$e at the 'ae t$e $$$%a' ca ot

o%t o+ the co%$t9-'ec$+$c +a$9-a! re*$e a o%tar$9 '%b"ect

the'ee' to the at$oa a!' o c$$ arr$a*e'. ro$'$o' +or re*$'trat$o o+

arr$a*e', ot$oa or aator9, are +o% %er o't o+ the'e a!'.

ro$'$o' are +o% $ 'oe b%t ot a atr$o$a a!' +or re*$'trat$o

o+ $orce' !$th State-ao$te o++$c$a'. here $' ore e*a $er'$t9 $ th$'

re'ect tha $ re*ar to re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e'.

t $' h$*h t$e !e too a 'eco oo at the et$re *a%t o+ Cetra a

State a!' o re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' a $orce' to a''e'' $+ a %$+or re*$e

o+ arr$a*e a $orce re*$'trat$o a!' $' +ea'$be $ the co%tr9 at th$' 'ta*e o+

'oc$a eeoet a, $+ ot, !hat ece''ar9 e*a re+or' a9 be $tro%ce

+or 'trea$$* a $ro$* %o the re'et '9'te.

10


11/39

C&A!TER II

Registration of Civi# Marriages

. Old Special Marriage Act 1872

he +$r't a! o+ c$$ arr$a*e' o+ $a !a' the Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1872. t !a'

eacte o the recoeat$o o+ the $r't La! Co$''$o 'et % %r$* the

Br$t$'h r%e. a$9 eat to +ac$$tate $ter-re$*$o%' arr$a*e', $$t$a9 $t co%

be aa$e o9 b9 tho'e !ho $ ot ca$ to ro+e'' a9 o+ the e'tab$'he

re$*$o'. Later, b9 a aeet e++ecte $ 1@23 $t !a' ae aa$abe a' a

aterat$e to er'oa a! a'o to arr$a*e' both art$e' to !h$ch beo*e to

the F$%, B%h$'t, #a$ or S$h re$*$o%' +a$th'.

>er th$' ct the roce''e' o+ 'oe$;at$o a re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e

!ere cob$e $to the 'ae tra'act$o. arr$a*e e*$'trar', $eeet or ex

officio, !ere to be ao$te %er $t' ro$'$o' b9 the Loca :oeret +or

ar$o%' terr$tor$e' %er $t' a$$'trat$o (Sect$o 3)J a the9 !o% a9 the

e9 roe $ the 'oe$;at$o o+ arr$a*e' %er the ct. he roce'' !o% be*$

!$th a ot$ce o+ the $tee arr$a*e to be *$e to the arr$a*e e*$'trar $ the

re'cr$be +or, a e !$th $t' 'oe$;at$o $ h$' re'ece (Sect$o' 4, 12).

+ter 'oe$;at$o o+ a arr$a*e, the arr$a*e e*$'trar !o%


12/39

'tateet' there$ cota$e= a $t' co$e' !o% be ro$e to the a$cat'

(Sect$o 14).

he Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1872 rea$e $ +orce %t$ a+ter $eeecea !a' eet%a9 reeae b9 a reace !$th the e! Sec$a arr$a*e ct

1@54. t' ro$'$o' o 'oe$;at$o-c%-re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' !ere,

ho!eer, ore or e'' reta$e %er the e! ct.

B. ew Special Marriage Act 1!"#

he e! Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54 a'o cob$e' 'oe$;at$o a re*$'trat$o

o+ c$$ arr$a*e' $to the 'ae tra'act$o. t eabe' the State *oeret' to

ao$t oe or ore arr$a*e O++$cer' +or $t' %ro'e' +or ar$o%' a$$'trat$e

%$t'. he ct oe' ot a9 $ the State o+ #a% a Ha'h$r b%t ro$e' +or

the ao$tet o+ arr$a*e O++$cer' there +or the eoe o$c$e o%t'$e b%t

$$* !$th$ the State (Sect$o 3).

he roce%re +or c$$ arr$a*e' %er th$' ct $' ore or e'' the 'ae a'

%er the +$r't Sec$a arr$a*e ct o+ 1872 be*$$* !$th a ot$ce o+ a

$tee arr$a*e to be *$e $ the re'cr$be +or to the arr$a*e O++$cer o+ the

$'tr$ct $ !h$ch at ea't oe art9 ha' $e +or at ea't 30 a9' (Sect$o 5) a

e$* !$th $t' 'oe$;at$o $ h$' re'ece (Sect$o' 11-12). he ro$'$o o+

the o ct o+ 1872 +or a arr$a*e Cert$+$cate Boo to be a$ta$e b9 the

arr$a*e O++$cer' $' reta$e $ the e! ct !h$ch a'o ro$e' that the arr$a*e

cert$+$cate


13/39

e! Sec$a arr$a*e ct o+ 1@54 ro$e' the +ac$$t9 o+ coert$* a e?$'t$*

re$*$o%' arr$a*e $to a c$$ arr$a*e b9 $t' re*$'trat$o %er $t' ro$'$o'

(Sect$o 15). he roce%re +or th$' $' the 'ae a' +or arr$a*e' to be or$*$a9

'oe$;e %er the ct, $c%$* the $''%ace o+ a arr$a*e cert$+$cate.

he ro$'$o +or er$o$ca tra'$''$o o+ arr$a*e recor' b9 a

arr$a*e O++$cer' to the e*$'trar-:eera o+ B$rth', Death' a arr$a*e' $'

reta$e $ the e! ct, er$o$c$t9 a +or' +or !h$ch are to be re'cr$be b9

the State *oeret' %er the %e' to be +rae +or carr9$* o%t %ro'e' o+

the ct (Sect$o' 48-50).

C. $oreign Marriage Act 1!%!

he ore$* arr$a*e ct !a' eacte to +ac$$tate 'oe$;at$o o+ c$$

arr$a*e' b9 $a c$t$;e' $ +ore$* co%tr$e'. arr$a*e O++$cer' are to be

ao$te b9 the Cetra :oeret +or th$' %ro'e $ $t' D$oat$c $''$o'

abroa (Sect$o 3). >er th$' ct a $a c$t$;e a9 arr9 aother $a or a

+ore$*er (Sect$o 4).

L$e $ the Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54, %er th$' ct too 'oe$;at$o

a re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' are art' o+ the 'ae tra'act$o. he roce%re +or

'oe$;at$o a re*$'trat$o o+ '%ch arr$a*e' $' ore or e'' the 'ae a' %er

the Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54 (Sect$o' 5-13). arr$a*e Cert$+$cate Boo' are to

be a$ta$e $ a D$oat$c $''$o'. here $' o ro$'$o $ th$' ct +or

tra'$''$o o+ recor' to a9 *eera re*$'tr9 o+ the co%tr9.

Be'$e' 'oe$;at$o o+ e! arr$a*e', th$' ct a'o ae' a ro$'$o

+or re*$'trat$o o+ re-e?$'t$* arr$a*e' 'oe$;e $ +ore$* co%tr$e' %er the

a!' o+ tho'e co%tr$e' (Sect$o 17).

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14/39

C&A!TER III

Registration of &ind-* '-dd(ist* ,ain and Si0( Marriages

. &indu Marriage Act 1!""

F$% a! !a' +$r't co$+$e $ the r$ce9 'tate o+ Baroa %er the t$te $o $ 1@54).

he State o+ #a% a Ha'h$r ha' *ot $t' o! F$% arr$a*e ct

eacte o the atter o+ the cetra ct.


15/39

e*$'ter et +or the %ro'e. S%ch e*$'ter'


16/39


17/39


18/39

C&A!TER IV

Registration of M-s#i$ Marriages

. -ertification + the Ka/is

'9'te o+ r$ate re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' !$th the a;$' ha' a!a9' rea$e

ao* the $a %'$'.

ho%*h $ r$c$e 'a$c a! oe' ot re%$re a r$t%a 'oe$;at$o o+

arr$a*e, ao* the %'$' o+ $a arr$a*e' are $ar$ab9 'oe$;e b9

re$*$o%' o++$c$a' o! a' the r% a F$$ are 'toce b9 a

a;$' !ho +$ $ $t the eta$' o+ the arr$a*e' the9 'oe$;e, $''%e co$e' to both

art$e', a a!a9' re'ere a co9 $ the$r recor'.

>er the a! o+ $a the ni)ah0namas$''%e b9 the a;$' are a$''$be

$ e$ece.

B. heKa/is Act 188

here $' a o cetra a! cae the Ha;$' ct 1880 eo!er$* State

*oeret' to ao$t a;$' +or the %ro'e o+ he$* e'$r$* oca %'$'

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19/39

!$th 'oe$;at$o o+ arr$a*e', etc. he :oeret $ Br$t$'h $a ha

$her$te the o!er to ao$t a;$' +ro the %*ha r%er' b%t ha ab$cate $t $

1864. O the ea o+ %'$ eaer'h$ e b9 the *reat S$r S9e ha

Hha, the o!er !a' re'%e b9 eact$* the Ha;$' ct 1880.

>er th$' ct a;$' a9 be ao$te b9 a State :oeret +or ar$o%'

area' %er $t' cotro. a;$ ca a'o be reoe b9 the ao$t$* a%thor$t9 o

the *ro%' o+ $'co%ct, o* ab'ece, $'oec9 or $caab$$t9 (Sect$o 2).

he ct, o! $ +orce $ o't State', ae' $t cear that re'ece o+ a State-

ao$te a;$ !$ ot be aator9 +or a9 arr$a*e (Sect$o 4).

he cetra Ha;$' ct oe' ot t$ o! a9 to r$ate a;$' a cota$'

o ro$'$o reat$* to a;$' +%ct$o o+ rear$* a re'er$* recor' o+

arr$a*e'.

ahara'htra, ho!eer, the ct !a' aee $ 1@80 to ae $t

a$cabe a'o to r$ate a;$' a re%$re a a;$' r$ate a State-ao$te

to a$ta$ roer recor' o+ arr$a*e' !h$ch the9 a9 be $$te to 'oe$;e.

C. (ocal Muslim Marriage and 3ivorce 'egistration Acts

here are %'$ arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o ct' $ +orce $ '$? State'

ro$$* +or o%tar9 re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' a $orce' ao* the oca

%'$'. he'e State' are a' +oo!'&

($) Ae't Be*a

($$) B$har

($$$) #harha

($) ''a

1@


20/39

() Or$''a

($) e*haa9a

he aret a! ao* the'e $' the o Be*a ohaea arr$a*e aD$orce e*$'trat$o ct 1876 !h$ch $' o! $ +orce $ the +$r't three o+ the

aboe-ae State'.

he Or$''a e*$'at%re re-eacte $ 1@4@, !$th 'oe cha*e', the o

Be*a a! o+ 1876 re+erre to aboe. $te Or$''a ohaea arr$a*e a

D$orce e*$'trat$o ct 1@4@, $t e?te' to the !hoe State.

he ''a e*$'at%re ha eacte a '$$ar a! $ 1@35 the ''a

o'e arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o ct. he e!9 create State o+

e*haa9a oca9 re-eacte th$' a! $ 1@74 !$th o '%b'tat$e cha*e.

the'e ct' eo!er the oca *oeret' to $ce'e '%$tabe er'o' $

ar$o%' area' a%thor$;$* the to re*$'ter arr$a*e' a $orce' ao* the oca

%'$'. he'e er'o', to be o! a'


21/39

a!. e*$'trat$o %er the'e ct' $' th%' a ere +ac$$t9 ro$e b9 a!.

the ohaea e*$'trar' $ce'e %er the'e ct' hae to +%ct$o

%er the *eera '%er$teece o+ D$'tr$ct e*$'trar' +%ct$o$* %er thee*$'trat$o ct 1@08 a are re%$re to tra'$t to the the$r re*$'trat$o

recor' eer9 oth. he 'ector-:eera o+ e*$'trat$o +%ct$o$* $ the

State %er that ct ha' to e?erc$'e cotro o a ohaea arr$a*e

e*$'trar' a $''%e re*%at$o' +or the$r *%$ace.

the'e ct' eo!er the State :oeret to ae %e' +or carr9$*

o%t the$r %ro'e', a '%ch %e' hae bee ae a aee +ro t$e to

t$e.

>er the %e' +rae %er the Be*a a! o+ 1876 a eraet

Co$ttee heae b9 the 'ector-:eera o+ e*$'trar oer'ee' ao$tet',

'%'e'$o a reoa o+ ohaea e*$'trar'. A$th the aroa o+ the

:oeret the Co$ttee ca a'o e?a$e +ro t$e to t$e the$r o!e*e

o+ %'$ a!.

'oe o+ the State' !here '%ch ct' are $ +orce the %e' ae

there%er hae bee ae a$cabe a'o to the a;$' +%ct$o$* %er the

cetra Ha;$' ct 1880 (eta$e aboe). he'e %e' are, ho!eer, ot be$*

+oo!e $ ract$ce +or +ear o+ re'etet b9 the cer$c' !ho o hae a 'tro*

ho %o the 'oc$et9.

the State o+ #a% a Ha'h$r a %'$ arr$a*e e*$'trat$o ct

!a' eacte $ 1@81, ro$$* +or co%'or9 re*$'trat$o, b%t ha to be 'oo

!$thra! %e to 't$++ oo'$t$o b9 co%$t9 eaer'.

C&A!TER V

21


22/39

Registration of C(ristian* !arsi* ,ewis( and 'a(ai Marriages

. 5ndian -hristian Marriage Act 1872

he $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e ct 1872 ro$e' that eer9 arr$a*e both art$e'

to !h$ch are, or e$ther art9 to !h$ch $', Chr$'t$a 'ha be 'oe$;e $

accorace !$th $t' ro$'$o' (Sect$o 4). h$' ro$'$o co+$ct' !$th the

Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54 !h$ch $' aa$abe, $e eer9oe e'e, a'o to

Chr$'t$a' +or arr9$* !$th$ or o%t'$e the$r co%$t9. t ha', ho!eer, ot

bee aee or reeae.

he $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e ct 1872 $' ob'oete $ 'o +ar a' $t ae' a

$'t$ct$o bet!ee


23/39

() er'o' $ce'e %er the ct to *rat cert$+$cate' o+ arr$a*e

bet!ee


24/39

ar'$ arr$a*e' are to be 'oe$;e %er the ct b9 the ar'$ r$e't' !ho

are re%$re to cert$+9 the $ a re'cr$be +or to be '$*e b9 the r$e't, the

cotract$* art$e' a t!o !$te''e' (Sect$o 6).

he o++$c$at$* r$e't' are re%$re b9 the ct to er$o$ca9 tra'$t the$r

recor' to arr$a*e e*$'trar' ao$te %er the ct. r$e't !ho e*ect'

e$ther to 'o cert$+9 a arr$a*e or to tra'$t $t' co9 to the arr$a*e e*$'trar !$

be *%$t9 o+ a o++ece %$'habe !$th '$e $r$'oet % to three oth',

or !$th +$e % to a h%re r%ee', or !$th both (Sect$o 12).

he arr$a*e e*$'trar' are to be ao$te b9 the State :oeret +or

ar$o%' area' e?cet !$th$ the oca $$t' o+ the or$ar9 or$*$a c$$

"%r$'$ct$o o+ a F$*h Co%rt +or !h$ch the9 are to be ao$te b9 the Ch$e+

#%'t$ce or a 'e$or #%*e o+ the Co%rt (Sect$o 7).

he arr$a*e e*$'trar' e?cet tho'e ao$te b9 the F$*h Co%rt are

re%$re to er$o$ca9 tra'$t co$e' o+ the$r recor' to the e*$'trar-:eera o+

B$rth', Death' a arr$a*e' (Sect$o @).

-. ,ahai and ewish Marriages

Baha$ arr$a*e' are 'oe$;e b9 re$*$o%' o++$c$a' o+ the co%$t9 !h$ch ha'

a '9'te o+ cert$+$cat$o o+ arr$a*e' er9 '$$ar to the ni)ah0namas $''%e b9

the a;$' $ %'$ arr$a*e' ('ee aboe).

he #e!$'h '9'te o+ 'oe$;at$o $' a'o '$$ar to that o+ the %'$'.

#e!$'h r$e't' o! a' abb$' 'oe$;e arr$a*e' a $''%e cert$+$cate'. here

$' o '9'te ao* e$ther the Baha$' or the #e!' o+ tra'$''$o o+ arr$a*e

recor' to a9 a%thor$t9 %er cotro o+ the State.

here $' o e*a re%$reet, or ract$ce, o+ re*$'ter$* the Baha$ or the

#e!$'h arr$a*e' !$th the State re*$'tr9.

24


25/39

C&A!TER VI

'irt(s* Deat(s and Marriages Registration Act 1556

. (imited Scope of the Act

B$rth', Death' a arr$a*e' e*$'trat$o ct !a' eacte b9 the Cetra

Le*$'at%re $ 1886. t rea$' $ +orce t$ th$' a9.

e! e*$'trat$o o+ B$rth' a Death' ct !a' a''e b9 ar$aet $

1@6@. t ha o ro$'$o reat$* to re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' a car$+$e that $t'

ro$'$o' are ot


26/39

o+ arr$a*e e*$'ter' rece$e b9 h$ +ro the o++$c$a' !or$* %er the

ro$'$o' o+ three o a!', $;.&

($) ar'$ arr$a*e a D$orce ct 1865 (o! ar'$ arr$a*e aD$orce ct 1@36J

($$) $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e ct 1872 ('t$ $ +orce)J a

($$$) Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1872 (o! Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54).

he ct a' that the'e $e?e' $e tho'e o+ re*$'ter' o+ b$rth' a eath',

a$ta$e b9 the e*$'trar-:eera, hae


27/39

C&A!TER VII

Genera# State Laws on Marriage Registration

.,oma+ 'egistration of Marriages Act 1!"#

Be+ore the reor*a$;at$o o+ State', the e*$'at%re o+ the +orer State o+ Boba9

ha eacte a a! +or co%'or9 re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e'. $te a' Boba9

e*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' ct 1@54, $t !a' ae a$cabe to a arr$a*e' other

tha tho'e 'oe$;e %er the +oo!$* a!' a o+ !h$ch ha the$r o!

ro$'$o' +or arr$a*e re*$'trat$o&

($) ar'$ arr$a*e a D$orce ct 1@36,

($$) $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e ct 1872, a

($$$) Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1872 (o! Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54).

+ter the re-or*a$;at$o o+ 'tate' $ 1@56 the Boba9 ct o+ 1@54 !a'

reta$e $ +orce, !$th ece''ar9 aatat$o, $ the re'et State' o+ ahara'htra

a :%"arat. both State' $t !a' ater aee $ certa$ re'ect'.

>er th$' ct the State :oeret a9 ao$t, b9 ae or exofficio9 'o

a9 er'o' to act a' e*$'trar' o+ arr$a*e' +or '%ch oca area' a' $t a9 th$

ece''ar9 a re'cr$be the$r %t$e' a o!er' %er the %e' to be ae

there%er. he ct, rea !$th the %e' ae %er $t, a9' o! a eaborate

roce%re +or re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e'.

Ker9 arr$a*e cotracte $ the State ha' to be co%'or$9 re*$'tere a'

ro$e b9 th$' a!. he re%$reet a$e' ot o9 to the +$r't b%t a'o to a

'%b'e%et arr$a*e' o+ a9 er'o. 'o, $t a$e' $ !hateer +or or aer a

arr$a*e a9 hae bee cotracte or 'oe$;e. h$' ob$*at$o a$e' +ro

27


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29/39

($$) !$+%9 o$tt$* or e*ect$* to e$er or 'e a eora% o+

arr$a*e !$th$ the re'cr$be t$e, a

($$$) a$* $ '%ch a eora% a9 'tateet !h$ch $' +a'e $ a9

ater$a art$c%ar a !h$ch the er'o a$* $t o!' or ha' rea'oto be$ee to be +a'e.

B. (aws of Other States

he Boba9 e*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' ct 1@54, o! a$cabe $ ahara'htra

a :%"arat, ha' bee aote mutatis mutandisb9 oca e*$'at$o $ 'oe other

State' $c%$* hra rae'h a Ae't Be*a.

No!here +a$%re to re*$'ter a arr$a*e, !h$ch $' other!$'e co%'or9,

a++ect' the a$$t9 o+ arr$a*e $ a9 !a9. t a'o oe' ot aer'e9 a++ect the

co"%*a or o't-$orce r$*ht' o+ e$ther art9 to arr$a*e or the aa$ab$$t9 o+

atr$o$a ree$e' %er the a! a$cabe.

the +orer 9'ore State a e*$'trar-:eera o+ B$rth', Death' aarr$a*e' ct !a' a''e $ 1@56.

he a"a'tha e*$'at%re a''e a e*$'trat$o o+ B$rth', Death' a

arr$a*e' ct $ 1@58. h$' ct ro$e' that the State :oeret a9 $ $t'

$'cret$o e'tab$'h a *eera re*$'tr9 o++$ce 'earate9 +or ee$* cert$+$e co$e'

o+ re*$'ter' o+ arr$a*e' a ao$t to the char*e o+ '%ch 'earate o++$ce a

o++$cer to be cae the e*$'trar-:eera o+ arr$a*e' +or the State Sect$o 4(b).

t ae' the cetra B$rth', Death' a arr$a*e' e*$'trat$o ct 1886

$a$cabe $ the er*e terr$tor$e' !here $t !a' ear$er $ +orce Sect$o 25 ($).

t a'o reea' the oca ct' o th$' '%b"ect ear$er e+orce $ 'oe '%ch

terr$tor$e' Sect$o 25 ($$) ($).

2@


30/39

C&A!TER VIII

Registration of Divorces

.3ivorcesOtained Outside the -ourt

he F$% arr$a*e ct 1@55 reco*$;e' a rotect' $orce' obta$e %er

c%'toar9 a! (Sect$o 2@), b%t ae' o ro$'$o +or re*$'trat$o o+ '%ch

$orce' e++ecte o%t'$e the co%rt.

he %'$ arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o ct' a$cabe $ Ae't

Be*a, B$har, #harha, Or$''a, ''a a e*haa9a re+erre to aboe

ro$e +or o%tar9 re*$'trat$o o+ o%t-o+-co%rt $orce' !$th the ohaea

arr$a*e e*$'trar' ao$te %er tho'e ct' b9 the State :oeret'. he

+oo!$* +or' o+ $orce ca be 'o re*$'tere $ a the State'&

($) tala4($orce b9 the h%'ba),

($$) )hula($orce at the $'tace o+ !$+e), a

($$$) muara:at($orce b9 %t%a co'et).

Searate +or' are re'cr$be b9 the'e ct' +or the re*$'trat$o o+ each o+

the'e cate*or$e' o+ $orce.

he Or$''a ohaea arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o ct 1@4@

ro$e' a'o +or re*$'trat$o o+ tala40tafwi/ ($orce b9 !$+e $ ter' o+ a

't$%at$o +or th$' %ro'e $ the arr$a*e cotract). t re'cr$be' 'ec$a +or'

+or the re*$'trat$o o+ '%ch $orce'.

30


31/39

e*$'trat$o o+ a $orce' %er a the'e a!' $' to be ae o a

o%tar9 ba'$'J a o-re*$'trat$o o+ a9 $orce oe' ot $t$ate $t' e*a

a$$t9.

B.3ivorces Otained in -ourts

>er the ar'$ arr$a*e a D$orce ct 1@36 a $orce ca be obta$e o9

thro%*h the $teret$o o+ a co%rt.

he ct re%$re' the Co%rt' a''$* a ecree o+ $orce, %$t9 or

$''o%t$o to 'e a co9 o+ each '%ch ecree +or re*$'trat$o to the arr$a*e

e*$'trar !$th$ $t' "%r$'$ct$o (Sect$o 10).

here $' o '%ch ro$'$o +or re*$'trat$o o+ $orce' %er a9 o+ the

+oo!$* a!'&

(i) $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e ct 1872,

($$) Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54, a

($$$) F$% arr$a*e ct 1@55.

31


32/39

C&A!TER I

Findings and Reco$$endations

.$indings

Ae o! rocee to '%ar$;e o%r +$$*' ba'e o o%r '%re9 o+ the e?$'t$*

Cetra a State a!' reat$* to re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e'&

($) here ha' bee, a rea$', treeo%' $er'$t9 o+ a!'

reat$* to re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e'. he re'et 'tate o+ the a!

o the '%b"ect $' $ee co$cate a co+%'$*.

($$) he o9 a!' !h$ch ro$e +or a9 $ o+ re*$'trat$o o+

$orce' reate to %'$' a ar'$'. other arr$a*e

re*$'trat$o a!' o ot ro$e +or re*$'trat$o o+ $orce'

atho%*h $t $' a 'oc$a9 bee+$c$a roo'$t$o.

($$$) e*$'trat$o o+ o%t-o+-co%rt $orce' ao* the F$%',

B%h$'t', #a$' a S$h' !h$ch the F$% arr$a*e ct 1@55

reco*$;e' $' e?tree9 e'$rabe.

(iv) the %'$ 'oc$et9 there $' a '9'te o+ r$ate re*$'trat$o o+

arr$a*e' b9 the a;$', !h$ch ee' to be 'trea$e a $e

!$th re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e !$th State e*$'tr9.

(v) o* the %'$' $orce' are eer re*$'tere !$th a a;$.

tho'e ca'e' !here a $orce tae' ace !$th the $teret$o o+ a

a;$ o recor o+ the $orce $' a$ta$e b9 h$. he

ro$'$o' o+ the oca a!' $ the Ka'ter State' +or re*$'trat$o

o+ $orce' ao* the %'$' are orat a are har9 %'e

32


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34/39

a! o+ c$$ arr$a*e'. h$' $' a *reat $h$b$t$o a*a$'t arr$a*e

re*$'trat$o !h$ch ee' to be e++ect$e9 reoe.

(?$) ata*e' o+ re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e a $'aata*e' o+ o-re*$'trat$o are ot 'ec$+$e $ a9 a! or o$c9 oc%et a

there+ore there $' $tte car$t9 $ the $ o+ the eoe $ th$'

re'ect.

B.'ecommendations

>er the Co't$t%t$o o+ $a +a$9 atter' are $ the coc%rret

"%r$'$ct$o o+ the Cetre a State' L$'t , Ktr9 5. ar$aetar9

e*$'at$o o co%'or9 re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' $' there+ore ot o9

o''$be b%t a'o h$*h9 e'$rabe. h$' !$ br$* co%tr9-!$e %$+or$t9 $

the '%b'tat$e a! reat$* to arr$a*e re*$'trat$o a !$ be he+% $

e++ect$e9 ach$e$* the e'$re *oa. %e' %er the roo'e ct a9 o+

co%r'e be ae b9 the State :oeret', a th$' !$ tae care o+ the oca

'oc$a ar$at$o'.

Ae there+ore recoe eactet o+ a cetra a! o the '%b"ect. Ae

+%rther recoe co'e%et$a cha*e' $ a the reeat cetra a oca

a!'.

O%r eta$e recoeat$o' are a' +oo!'&

($)


35/39

the$r re$*$o a er'oa a! a !$tho%t a9 e?cet$o' or

e?et$o'.

($$) he roo'e a! 'ho% ea o9 !$th re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e'

a $orce' a %'t ot to%ch a9 '%b'tat$e a'ect o!*oere b9 ar$o%' atr$o$a a!' *eera a co%$t9-

'ec$+$c.

(iii) roer a coo ach$er9 +or re*$'trat$o o+

arr$a*e' a $orce', $c%$* re*$'trat$o o++$ce' at the

$'tr$ct/'%b-$'tr$ct ee' 'ho% be ro$e +or %er the roo'e

a!. he State :oeret' a9 'et % '%ch o++$ce', ao$t

arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o O++$cer' b9 ae or ex officioat

ar$o%' ee', a re'cr$be r%e' to re*%ate the$r !or$*.

(iv) S$ce $ a co%$t$e' arr$a*e' are 'oe$;e !$th a

re$*$o%' cereo9, the re$*$o%' o++$c$a' 'oe$;$* the arr$a*e'

ca a9 a a"or roe $ re'ect o+ re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e. he

roo'e a! 'ho% ae $t aator9 +or the


36/39

) ar'$, #e!$'h a Baha$ re$*$o%' eaer' !ho o++$c$ate at a9

arr$a*e ao* the'e co%$t$e'J

e) cer$c' o+ a other re$*$o' er+or$* th$' +%ct$oJ a

+) a9 other er'o, !hether re$*$o%' o++$c$a or ot, !ho er+or'

re$*$o%' or c%'toar9 r$te' at a9 arr$a*e.

(v) t 'ho% be ae aator9 +or eer9


37/39

(ix) he Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54 'ho% be aee to

ro$e that arr$a*e O++$cer' !or$* %er $t' ro$'$o' 'ha

tra'$t the$r recor' at re'cr$be $tera' to the arr$a*e aD$orce e*$'trat$o O++$cer o+ the cocere $'tr$ct.

(x) he ore$* arr$a*e ct 1@6@ 'ho% be aee to

ro$e that $a D$oat$c $''$o' $ a co%tr$e' 'ha 'e at

re'cr$be $tera' the$r recor' to the $$'tr9 o+ ore$* ++a$r'

$ Deh$ +or o!ar tra'$''$o to the State e*$'tr9 o+ the State

cocere.

(xi) he Ha;$' ct 1880 'ho% be +%rther aee to ro$e

that eer9 $orce ao* the %'$', $ !hateer +or $t tae'

ace, %'t be co%$cate $ !r$t$* to the a;$ o+ the area

!$th$ a re'cr$be t$e. he a;$' 'ho% be re%$re to a$ta$

roer recor' o+ a '%ch $orce' a er$o$ca9 tra'$t the$r

recor' o+ $orce' to the arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o O++$cer

o+ the area ao* !$th arr$a*e recor'.

(xii) Sect$o 2@ o+ the F$% arr$a*e ct 1@55 'ho% be

aee to ro$e that a c%'toar9 $orce' ao* the F$%',

B%h$'t', #a$' a S$h' 'ho% be %9 re*$'tere !$th the

arr$a*e a D$orce e*$'trat$o O++$cer' !or$* %er the

roo'e a!.

(xiii) he +oo!$* ct' 'ho% be aee, o the atter o+

the ro$'$o to th$' e++ect +o% $ the ar'$ arr$a*e a D$orce

ct 1@36, to re%$re the re*$'tr$e' o+ co%rt' *rat$* ecree' o+

37


38/39

$orce or %$t9 o+ arr$a*e to er$o$ca9 'e $+orat$o abo%t

the 'ae $ a re'cr$be +or to the oca arr$a*e e*$'trat$o

O++$ce&

(a) $a Chr$'t$a arr$a*e ct 1872J

(b) ar'$ arr$a*e a D$orce ct 1@36J

(c) Sec$a arr$a*e ct 1@54J a

(d) F$% arr$a*e ct 1@55.

(xiv) he roo'e a! 'ho% ecare +a$%re to re*$'ter a

arr$a*e or $orce a' re%$re b9 $t' ro$'$o' to be a o++ece

%$'habe !$th hea9 +$e' a, $ e+a%t o+ a9et o+ +$e, !$th

$r$'oet +or a re'cr$be er$o.

(xv) he roo'e a! 'ho% a'o ro$e that o "%$c$a

re$e+ !$ be *rate $ a $'%te atter $+ the cocere arr$a*e

or $orce $' ot %9 re*$'tere %er $t' ro$'$o'.

(xvi) he roo'e a! 'ho% be *$e a oerr$$* e++ect o

a other a!' thro%*h a non ostanteca%'e %9 $'erte $ $t.

(xvii) he +oo!$* a!' 'ho% be reeae !$th ece''ar9

'a$* ro$'$o'&

a) B$rth', Death' a arr$a*e' e*$'trat$o ct 1886J

b) State a!' ea$* !$th re*$'trat$o o+ arr$a*e' $ *eeraJ

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indian marrige law

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