Getting married in India (Foreigner + Indian)

edwardseco · Jun 19th, 2008, 02:30

Quote:

You don't have to register a marriage in India to be legally married.

For immigration purposes many countries will want that funny looking paper though

..

FinnishGirl · Jun 19th, 2008, 02:36

We are having a Hindu wedding but the Hindu Marriage Act, states that both have to be Hindus, which I am not, am not within any religion. So I guess the ceremony itself can only be of ceremonial value, not of legal. Which means we really would go under the Special Marriage Act, which means that registering the marriage is kind of the wedding itself. Yes, the Act says you have to be resident, for last 30days, and you have to prove it with something, like receipt of rent. And as I have understood, after giving the notice it also takes 30 days. Impossible for us. In Finland it just takes 7 days.

"5. Notices of intended marriage.- When a marriage is intended to be solemnized under this Act, the parties of the marriage shall give notice thereof in writing in the Form specified in the Second Schedule to the Marriage Officer of the district in which at least one of the parties to the marriage has resided for a period of not less than thirty days immediately preceding the date on which such notice is given."

I have read about the documents I have to take from Finland to marry in a foreign country. Its no problem, nor there is any visa issue.

If we just have the ceremony in India, because we don't go under Hindu Marriage Act, if there is no registration/ civil wedding, we will come back here unmarried. And therefore have to go here for civil wedding. Straightly registering the marriage here is not possible without registering it in India. Oh, why do they make it so complicated? :P

Valini · Jun 19th, 2008, 02:39

If you're not religious and really want to register it in India, you could always go for the Hindu Marriage Act. all you would need to do is to sign an affidavit stating that you have renownced your current faith (if they consider you as christian or something) and that you are now a Hindu. then you will legally be able to get married under the Hindu Act. Can anyone else shed some light on this idea?

FinnishGirl · Jun 19th, 2008, 02:59

Hey
Yes, We were thinking of getting married and get it registered in India as it seemed the 'right' thing to do but now we decided that it is better that we have a religious cermoney in India and then do the 'paper marriage' in Finland's magistrate office. We think it is the simpler way rather than staying in India for months and then getting the marriage certificate and getting it authorized by the Finnish embassy in New Delhi. Too much of hassle.
Thank you guys for the advice. The way my fiance's parents were reacting to having a european daughter-in-law, I was thinking am going to be the first one jumping into the enigma called India.

Kiitos kaikkille.

Nick-H · Jun 19th, 2008, 03:58

That's great!

I'm sure that, as far as the family is concerned, it is going to be walking around that fire that makes you really and truly married and makes them really and truly happy

It also, should you wish, means that you can two for the price of one! You can have another, civil, ceremony and celebration for your friends in Finland

Congratulations, and I hope it's all wonderful for you

edwardseco · Jun 19th, 2008, 07:07

Quote:

We are having a Hindu wedding but the Hindu Marriage Act, states that both have to be Hindus, which I am not, am not within any religion. So I guess the ceremony itself can only be of ceremonial value

I think you have it worked out just right as long its aggreeable to both parties. My best wishes and congratulations..

vanderlaan · Sep 18th, 2008, 01:38

hoiii blackeagle... ik las dat je een nederlander bent die met een Indiasa gaat trouwen... binnenkort ga ik naar India verhuizen en wil volgend jaar ook gaan trouwen met mijn indiase vriend...

zou je mij kunnen mailen en adviseren welke documenten ik allemaal nodig zal hebben om te gaan trouwen?
(geboorteacte, bewijs van ongetrouwd zijn, enz)

ik hoop dat je dit bericht zult lezen!

Gr.

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fairydust · Oct 11th, 2008, 02:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

You don't have to register a marriage in India to be legally married. It is not actually a requirement! Many people here will regard the religious ceremony as being the real wedding. I've known Indian-Origin people in UK who regarded registration as a sort of engagement, and did not consider themselves married until the religious ceremony.

If I recall correctly (you can find the entire wording of the Act on the internet with a quick google) one of you must be resident in the area of jurisdiction of the register office. That wasn't a problem for me; my wife had lived in the same place for several years, but we did have some difficulty finding out which register office we had to go to.

The thirty-day thing is the same as in Europe: Your names are posted on the board, and it gives the opportunity to the public to raise any objection.

Under what religion will your ceremony be?

Do take a moment to review the Indian marriage acts: your rights are different according to which act you marry under --- at least in India!

I'mn sure it would, most countries recognise each other's marriages.

however, if I did ever want to take my Indian-citizen wife to live in UK, I'd much rather be applying with a UK Marriage registration certificate than with the scrap of hand-typed green paper we got here. Even Indian authorities have looked at it with suspicion; but, at the time, the registrar told us, sorry, we don't do many Special Act marriages, and don't have a printed certificate for it.

It's not a problem, so long as we continue to live in India, which we intend to do for the forseeable future, but I strongly advise an international couple, especially if they intend to settle outside India, not to do Indian registration.

As you are having a ceremony, the nature of the registration in India is less of a concern: bit like registering a birth. it's the birth that matters, the registration is just a bit of business to be done!

Please note that you may be required to show that you are free to marry. A certificate that you are not married, an notarised declaration to that effect if your country (like UK) has no such certificate, or divorce papers if appropriate. It's a possible stumbling point!

this sound so complex, i would guess having a religious ceremony will be easier than going to Registry of Marriage in india, i suppose they don't have a proper registrar office? In singapore we have to book a date, we can easily do that at the ROM website and when the date arrives couples will turn up to exchange vows with their witness usually their parents. I think if i am to marry in india the best way is to go for a ceremony, I will be there for 2 weeks, i won't have time to go through the hassle. But without a certification it will also mean that I am not married legally, in future if there is any divorce i will be on the losing end to legally ask for any compensation for myself and my children/if any, because legally i am not married. Means any man will be able to declare freely that he is not married and marry someone else again. LOL do they practice that in india without the certification?

Nick-H · Oct 11th, 2008, 02:46

You should register your marriage, especially if you want it to be considered legal outside of India, for the basis of your visas to visit or live in India, or those for your husband to enter your, or another, country.

Yes, we have 'proper' register offices, and, probably the paperwork is no worse than in many other countries, especially where foreigners are involved.

You'll find a number of posts about the experience on this site. The Register Office experience is not romantic.

curtdfw · Oct 15th, 2008, 01:39

Registering your marriage in India will be highly useful if you ever intend to apply for a PIO card. See separate threads on this.

My Indian wife (a nominal Muslim) and I were married in Delhi under the Special Marriage Act. We hired attorneys to do the legwork, and I think it was only about Rs. 10K or so. Much less stressful than doing all that running around Delhi ourselves. We were living in Gurgaon at the time and went to the Saket registry office for the ceremony.

Btw, we got a very nice printed certificate with not only my wife's and my signatures, but also the witnesses.

Curt

Nick-H · Oct 15th, 2008, 01:49

Quote:

We hired attorneys to do the legwork, and I think it was only about Rs. 10K or so.

Once again: my wife and I didn't hire anyone and it cost us a couple of hundred.

We didn't get a nice printed certificate, though!

curtdfw · Oct 15th, 2008, 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Once again: my wife and I didn't hire anyone and it cost us a couple of hundred.

We didn't get a nice printed certificate, though!

So that's what I got for the additional Rs. 9800. Ha!

moziaa · Oct 22nd, 2008, 02:05

Guyssss...ny help here?????? Indian marrying a Pakistani...will be great if any advise is provided..v r losing hope..cuz of Visa issues..both r muslims though!! HOPE !!

Nick-H · Oct 22nd, 2008, 02:56

Moziaa... Can't answer your question, I'm afraid: it is tough when international issues get in the way of personal lives, very tough.

On a moderator note, please do not use SMS abbreviations in your posts: v r cuz ny u ur etc are not acceptable, and may lead to posts being deleted. We want all our members to be easily able to read and understand all the posts on the site.

Wishing you well with you visa issues.

sera-anon · Jul 17th, 2009, 06:27

Hi Nick,

From what I can see, you seem to be very knowledgeable concerning weddings in India. I've read your numerous posts and thanks to you I am a little bit clearer now, though still a little confused

My story is that I'm an British woman, engaged to an Indian citizen who is living in India now. I have read the Special Marriage act several times over, and I'm still unsure of where to start.

I am going to see my fiance next month, and we would like to register our marriage in a different state to where he is from (knowing that it will also be shown at the registry office in the area where he resides with his parents). Should I just take a "never been married certificate" to be on the safe side? And do we get the notice form from the registry office or elsewhere? Also, is there a way of finding out exactly where the registry office is that we should go to? Does the registry office send anything in post to his home address from what you know of? Only his parents would never agree to our intentions, and he is really worried about them finding out.

Anyway, after the registration, I would come back to England and then I plan to go back to India for the "solomnisation" around October time, in the same office as we registered the marriage. Is this the only time that we would need the three witnesses? Also, who counts as a witness? Must they be friends of his? Or do you know if there is another way of getting them? I am asking too much, sorry, but I don't know where else to turn for reliable advice.

The final note: After we are married, we wish to apply for the Marriage Visa for him to live with me in England. After reading some other comments, I can't work out if the marriage certificate would be valid or not? If it's not valid, then what on earth could we do to make sure that everything is thorough and legitimate in the first place?

You seem to be a very lucky man who finally has what he wanted in life, and I am so happy for you. Now I am hoping that one day, the same can be true for me.

Sorry to try and contact you, but I thought it was worth a try because I can't seem to find any better sources than you.

Thank you,

Sarah

Sep 18th, 2008, 01:38	#37
vanderlaan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: gurgaon Posts: 1	message to Blackeagle hoiii blackeagle... ik las dat je een nederlander bent die met een Indiasa gaat trouwen... binnenkort ga ik naar India verhuizen en wil volgend jaar ook gaan trouwen met mijn indiase vriend... zou je mij kunnen mailen en adviseren welke documenten ik allemaal nodig zal hebben om te gaan trouwen? (geboorteacte, bewijs van ongetrouwd zijn, enz) ik hoop dat je dit bericht zult lezen! Gr. Moderator Note: Please post in English; posts in other languages are not accepted. Sorry, sometimes it may feel right to communicate with a member in another shared language, but the board is for all, and moderators are unable to moderate if we do not understand the post.

Jul 17th, 2009, 06:27	#45
sera-anon Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: England Posts: 6	Trying to Contact Expert Nick Hi Nick, From what I can see, you seem to be very knowledgeable concerning weddings in India. I've read your numerous posts and thanks to you I am a little bit clearer now, though still a little confused My story is that I'm an British woman, engaged to an Indian citizen who is living in India now. I have read the Special Marriage act several times over, and I'm still unsure of where to start. I am going to see my fiance next month, and we would like to register our marriage in a different state to where he is from (knowing that it will also be shown at the registry office in the area where he resides with his parents). Should I just take a "never been married certificate" to be on the safe side? And do we get the notice form from the registry office or elsewhere? Also, is there a way of finding out exactly where the registry office is that we should go to? Does the registry office send anything in post to his home address from what you know of? Only his parents would never agree to our intentions, and he is really worried about them finding out. Anyway, after the registration, I would come back to England and then I plan to go back to India for the "solomnisation" around October time, in the same office as we registered the marriage. Is this the only time that we would need the three witnesses? Also, who counts as a witness? Must they be friends of his? Or do you know if there is another way of getting them? I am asking too much, sorry, but I don't know where else to turn for reliable advice. The final note: After we are married, we wish to apply for the Marriage Visa for him to live with me in England. After reading some other comments, I can't work out if the marriage certificate would be valid or not? If it's not valid, then what on earth could we do to make sure that everything is thorough and legitimate in the first place? You seem to be a very lucky man who finally has what he wanted in life, and I am so happy for you. Now I am hoping that one day, the same can be true for me. Sorry to try and contact you, but I thought it was worth a try because I can't seem to find any better sources than you. Thank you, Sarah

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Jun 19th, 2008, 02:36	#32
FinnishGirl Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 5	We are having a Hindu wedding but the Hindu Marriage Act, states that both have to be Hindus, which I am not, am not within any religion. So I guess the ceremony itself can only be of ceremonial value, not of legal. Which means we really would go under the Special Marriage Act, which means that registering the marriage is kind of the wedding itself. Yes, the Act says you have to be resident, for last 30days, and you have to prove it with something, like receipt of rent. And as I have understood, after giving the notice it also takes 30 days. Impossible for us. In Finland it just takes 7 days. "5. Notices of intended marriage.- When a marriage is intended to be solemnized under this Act, the parties of the marriage shall give notice thereof in writing in the Form specified in the Second Schedule to the Marriage Officer of the district in which at least one of the parties to the marriage has resided for a period of not less than thirty days immediately preceding the date on which such notice is given." I have read about the documents I have to take from Finland to marry in a foreign country. Its no problem, nor there is any visa issue. If we just have the ceremony in India, because we don't go under Hindu Marriage Act, if there is no registration/ civil wedding, we will come back here unmarried. And therefore have to go here for civil wedding. Straightly registering the marriage here is not possible without registering it in India. Oh, why do they make it so complicated? :P

Jun 19th, 2008, 02:39	#33
Valini Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bdx,FR--Kanpur Posts: 391	If you're not religious and really want to register it in India, you could always go for the Hindu Marriage Act. all you would need to do is to sign an affidavit stating that you have renownced your current faith (if they consider you as christian or something) and that you are now a Hindu. then you will legally be able to get married under the Hindu Act. Can anyone else shed some light on this idea?

Jun 19th, 2008, 02:59	#34
FinnishGirl Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 5	Hey Yes, We were thinking of getting married and get it registered in India as it seemed the 'right' thing to do but now we decided that it is better that we have a religious cermoney in India and then do the 'paper marriage' in Finland's magistrate office. We think it is the simpler way rather than staying in India for months and then getting the marriage certificate and getting it authorized by the Finnish embassy in New Delhi. Too much of hassle. Thank you guys for the advice. The way my fiance's parents were reacting to having a european daughter-in-law, I was thinking am going to be the first one jumping into the enigma called India. Kiitos kaikkille.

Jun 19th, 2008, 03:58	#35
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,237	That's great! I'm sure that, as far as the family is concerned, it is going to be walking around that fire that makes you really and truly married and makes them really and truly happy It also, should you wish, means that you can two for the price of one! You can have another, civil, ceremony and celebration for your friends in Finland Congratulations, and I hope it's all wonderful for you

Oct 11th, 2008, 02:46	#39
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,237	You should register your marriage, especially if you want it to be considered legal outside of India, for the basis of your visas to visit or live in India, or those for your husband to enter your, or another, country. Yes, we have 'proper' register offices, and, probably the paperwork is no worse than in many other countries, especially where foreigners are involved. You'll find a number of posts about the experience on this site. The Register Office experience is not romantic.

Oct 15th, 2008, 01:39	#40
curtdfw PIO Club Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 463	Registering your marriage in India will be highly useful if you ever intend to apply for a PIO card. See separate threads on this. My Indian wife (a nominal Muslim) and I were married in Delhi under the Special Marriage Act. We hired attorneys to do the legwork, and I think it was only about Rs. 10K or so. Much less stressful than doing all that running around Delhi ourselves. We were living in Gurgaon at the time and went to the Saket registry office for the ceremony. Btw, we got a very nice printed certificate with not only my wife's and my signatures, but also the witnesses. Curt

Oct 22nd, 2008, 02:05	#43
moziaa Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 10	Guyssss...ny help here?????? Indian marrying a Pakistani...will be great if any advise is provided..v r losing hope..cuz of Visa issues..both r muslims though!! HOPE !!

Oct 22nd, 2008, 02:56	#44
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,237	Moziaa... Can't answer your question, I'm afraid: it is tough when international issues get in the way of personal lives, very tough. On a moderator note, please do not use SMS abbreviations in your posts: v r cuz ny u ur etc are not acceptable, and may lead to posts being deleted. We want all our members to be easily able to read and understand all the posts on the site. Wishing you well with you visa issues.