What is ‘Registration’ of Marriage?

In India, the society, or the priest, actually gets a couple married but is not allowed to issue a certificate (or ‘declare’ you married). One needs to apply to a good agency who in thru would actually issue a certificate. The process of applying and obtaining a marriage certificate is “Registration” of marriage. This is done by the register of marriage in big cities / and by panchayat in small villages.

One can understand this process better by comparing it with the birth of a child. A baby is born in hospital. The hospital certifies and informs appropriate Government agencies about the birth of a child and relevant information about the parents. Based on this information, the Government issues a birth certificate for the child.

Many Hospitals may (do) to issue a birth certificate to parents. But it is purely a ceremonial gesture. It has no validity in the eyes of law. Similarly, a marriage certificate issued by a priest / temple is totally useless and invalid as per Indian law.

Anyone promising in India that he can issue you a marriage certificate is like someone promising a passport to you. It is downright illegal.