Can I do a Court Marriage before the traditional marriage..?

Question

Hi Iam planning to get married in April 2008,Mumbai.Currently I am staying in UAE.I would like to know whether I can do court marriage before I go for the traditional marriage.If its possible then what are procedures for the same.

Rgds./Sachin

Answer 1

Yes you can do so, but once you do this form of marriage it will be applicable for all purposes whether you do a traditional marriage with the same person after this will have no value legally. Court marriage as you call it is solemnized under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 all such marriages can take place between any two Indian citizens as well one Indian citizen with a foreigner irrespective of their religion, caste or creed, and you can say this is the secular form of marriage available in our country. Such a marriage is solemnized before the marriage officer/registrar usually D.C. deputy commissioner of the area (Sub registrar/SDM is the marriage officer/registrar only in case the already solemnized marriage under any other Act has to be registered) where both or any of the parties to such a marriage reside permanently or for at least one month. Cost of such a marriage as the rate prevalent in your area. Now how you proceed? Both the parties to the marriage file a joint application before the marriage officer along with individual affidavit attested by notary public specifying the age(boy 21yrs &girl 18yrs), place of residence, marital status(unmarried or divorcee as the case maybe), mental status(not idiot or not with unfit mind), not related to each other. Along with this you have to give proof of age (School certificate, Passport, Pan card), proof of residence (Passport, ration card, voters ID card, rent agreement), & the application of such a marriage should be witnessed by 3 independent adult persons, affix one photograph of each of the parties & all the 3 witnesses. You have made such an application/notice to the marriage officer in person along with all the 3 witnesses. On receiving such an application the marriage officer issues a month notice regarding the intended marriage & get such a notice affixed on the notice board out side his office, a copy of such notice is sent to the marriage officer under whose jurisdiction the other party lives, also a copy is to the individual parties address. After expiry of the period of notice a date is fixed on which all the persons parties to the marriage & 3 witnesses appear again before the marriage officer who declare them married & issue a certificate to this regard. Incase of any objections raised the marriage officer will settle these objections. Now what can be objections that can be raised? These can ONLY BE REGARDING THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SUCH MARIAGE & NOTHING ELSE. What are the conditions? As I stated above i.e. Age, martial status, mental status, prohibited relationship (related to each other by blood). This is the brief procedure I have told you here, incase you want any clarification you can ask.

Answer 2

yeah, u can do a court marriage before a traditional wedding. just don't tell the clergy. THey'll perform the wedding. Don't tell the courts either. Everyone knows things, but if u say stuff, it'll just make it hectic because then ur supposed to do the right thing. I think u go to the courts and apply for registration, then a month later, if u and ur spouse are both single, then the court marriage will go through. U save that for whatever purpose u wanted. Then u go through with ur normal traditional ceremony as you normally would.

Answer 3

Be careful. Many contries of that region do not accept anything other than a religious ceremony. I think the court marriage is a great idea, as it takes the pressure off of the bride and groom allowing them to enjoy the traditional ceremony with family and friends.

Answer 4

In India there are so many marriage register available.It may be available in your city also.So, now onwards you both apply for registration,to avoid delay.You need not go to the Cout also.But proper witness is required.Thank u.

Answer 5

sure you can do it. First you have to go marrige registerar and issue a public notice after 1 month court will issue a marrige certificate with 2 witness.

Answer 6

I think you have to apply in advance to the Indian embassy and release a press note in the local news papers

Answer 7

well your invited to a untraditional avatar marriage come with

Answer 8

yes. check with your minister