Who can register a ‘Marriage’?

Our country, India, being is democratic and sovereign country has provided a clear cut structure in our constitution for every possible legal need. Marriage registration is very well covered here.

In India certain matters like citizenship (Passports), Adhar Card, Income Tax, budget are governed by ‘Central Government’ in Delhi. Various other matters like law and order, transport, land registration are handled by State Governments.

All matters related to individuals like birth, death, ration card are handled by the lowest governing body of government. In large cities, marriage related matters are handled by respective Municipal Corporation. In towns or talukas, it may be with tahsildar – in villages, it is with panchayats.

And here is the catch. There is No centrally or state defined charter or uniform set of regulations or a well defined procedure for obtaining a marriage certificate in different cities, Since, by constitution, it is deemed to be a “local” matter, it is expected to be dealt locally. There are NO standard rules or procedures.

Only one rule / restriction applies to all local bodies. They can issue certificates to only and only people living in their own area of jurisdiction. A tahsildar of a small town in Patiala can make certificates for people living in his town only, – he can not issue certificates for a resident who stays in Bangalore.

And here in the main bottleneck called – “Residence Certificate”.