Do you have to be Indian to marry under the Indian Christian Marriage Act?

Question

My fiance and I are both Catholics. I am American and he is Indian. My family is not able to attend the wedding since they are not older and not so healthy, but his family are accepting and shall attend. Will my nationality as an American or my parent's absence effect our marriage being accepted to register in India?

Well my family is less supportive and he his family is and we want to live in India.

Answer 1

One issue & three to four questions including one sent to me directly. You guys are always in hurry for marriage & same when comes to dissolution of it. Must have some patience for me to give you reply, which I always do whenever you ask me. Now coming to your question, you American Catholic Christian & he Indian Catholic Christian want to marry in India. O.K., yes the Christian Marriage Act, 1872 provides for such marriage between any Christian from any where in the world with an Indian Christian. So you can marry under this Act either in Church after giving three bans/notice which as you know are required in Christian Marriages & each ban/notice is read on every three consecutive Sundays during the Sunday prayers in the Church where he is the member in India & a copy of which is also affixed on the notice board of the church by the pastor who is licensed to solemnize such a marriage. The second option in such case is by getting married under this Act before the Marriage officer appointed under this Act after fulfilling all the required conditions applicable including the one months notice etc. Even if you marry in the church you will have to get such marriage registered by this marriage officer/registrar to get a valid certificate which you can use for any purpose in India including your immigration for stay here on the basis of this marriage or later on for Indian citizenship in case you are so interested for it after your stay of seven years in India. The third way to get married is by the Marriage officer under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Such marriage can be solemnized after one month notice which is published & copy sent to your country of your permanent residence. The certificate issued by the Marriage officer is valid & applicable for all purposes & any where in the world. Now what all documents you require for such marriage in India is your age proof (at least 18 years for bride & 21 years for groom), residence proof (including at least one month stay of any of you at the place/district where you get married in India), your being unmarried (mentioned on your passport) or divorcee or widow or widower as the case may be (proof of any of these by way of decree of divorce issued by competent court or death certificate as the case may be), a no objection certificate issued by your country's state department or local Embassy for your such marriage with an Indian stating there is no impediment from your country's side for such marriage & such marriage is not in any way against any matrimonial law of your country. Here I want to inform you that USA has recognized any marriage between its citizen with an Indian under the Special Marriage Act as well which is registered by the registrar of marriages under any form of marriage which is valid otherwise in India, so this NOC won't be a big issue for you to get & place it on the record for your marriage & its registration by the Marriage officer/registrar as I stated above. In case of marriage under the Christian Marriage Act, 1872 you require two adult witnesses & under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 you require three adult witnesses with their proof of identification. Presence of parents of either side not necessary condition. The only objection to any marriage is on any of these reasons, that either party is not marriageable age, or not unmarried or having a living spouse or is of unfit mind or suffering from any mental illness or the parties to the marriage are related to each other under the degree of prohibition i.e. they are blood relative of each other. Other then these no other objection is entertained by any marriage officer/registrar. Now coming to your other night mare what happens after your tourist visa of six months expiries, no problem just approach the immigration department of India & give a copy of the marriage certificate you got from the Marriage officer/registrar fulfill other required formalities & get immigration to stay in India on the basis of your such marriage with an India man. What else? Best wishes for your marriage & long happy married life, welcome to India.

Answer 2

Get married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. you can do so even if you are an american.

Under the Christian Marriage Act, the only requirement is atleast one party has to be a christian.

Answer 3

well friend
you can also have a reception in america with your parents . and nothing will effect without there absence they are not with you only at the time of marraige because they are unable to but their blessing are always with you nothing will effect anything have faith and proceed to your marraige and later try to get your parents to india if you are the only child to them they will be very happy.


regards preety

Answer 4

any laws that dictate who you can love are UNJUST and spirtually INVALID. how about you have the ceremony in a place where BOTH families can attend and be welcomed???? how about a civil cermony where your family can attend as well? and congrats to you both! peace!:-) may it last.