Now this is a BIG job! For me, it was bigger than planning the wedding itself! Half information, rude govt officers on phone---sigh! I really had to go through a lot to get the right information, so thought of making it easier for those who are going to be in my position :)
Delhi Government has made it slightly easy for us---we can now apply online and block a date in the following week for submitting the documents. To apply online, visit-http://districts.delhigovt.nic.in/choosedistrict.asp
Incase you apply by hand, then the bride and groom has to personally go to submit the form, and when you go to submit the final documents.
Here are a few tips:
- Both, the Bride and Groom need to be present during the time of submitting the documents.
-You may choose the district of either the groom or bride's residence provided the marriage has not crossed the 6-month mark. Post 6 months of your marriage, you can ONLY apply from the Groom's district.
- All your documents SHOULD be attested by a Gazetted Officer
- Website is a bit confusing on information--- you just need to have 1 witness (relative, friend or anyone else) who should carry an attested photocopy of his/her voter i-card & PAN card along with the original.
- In case you are registering post your marriage, you get the certificate on the same day.
- Each district have appointed designated days each week for this process. Timings: 9.30am-1pm. Though nobody turns up at 9.30 but you should in case you want to beat the long line and want to get it done in half a day!
- Yes, you need to be patient as it takes painstakingly long!
- You need to pay Rs.100/- for the registration and Rs. 50/- for 2 original marriage registration certificate.
You need to carry the following documents (attested photocopy+original)
-Print of the online application (fill the form only when you have the provision of taking a print out of the form immediately as you CANNOT save a copy as PDF, etc and in case you open the link on the next day, the page expires. So ONLY fill the form if you can immediately take print outs!)
- Residence proof (Election I Card)
- Date of Birth Proofs of Groom and Bride (10th Class Certificate / Date of Birth certificate).
- Separate affidavit from Husband & Wife-- this you can get from many affidavit shops outside the District Commissioner office, they already have a draft and simply personalise it! But get this done before you begin the process of submitting the documents as you have to submit this as well. The affidavit needs to include the following information:
- Separate affidavit from Husband & Wife-- this you can get from many affidavit shops outside the District Commissioner office, they already have a draft and simply personalise it! But get this done before you begin the process of submitting the documents as you have to submit this as well. The affidavit needs to include the following information:
1. Date & Place of Marriage.
2. Date of birth.
3. Marital Status at the time of marriage.
4. Affirmation that parties are not related to each other within the prohibited degree of relationship as per Hindu Marriage Act.
5. Citizenship.
6. Present (for brides--you may include the husband's address here) and Permanent (according to the address in voter I card) address
7. You may change the surname here (I'm not too sure and you may check by calling the department)
- Three Passport Size Photograph of Husband & Wife-- all attested and signed by Gazetted Officer (half on the picture and half on the A4 size sheet). Stick 3 photos of groom on 1 A4 sheet and follow the same for the Bride.
- One wedding picture attested and signed by Gazetted Officer (half on the picture and half on the A4 size sheet).
- Marriage Invitation Card
-If marriage was solemnized in a religious place, a certificate from the priest is required who solemnized the marriage.
- For more info: http://delhigovt.nic.in/dept/pubserv/MarriageCert.asp
What happens when you enter the den??
- Stand in the que on the counter to get your number (they give you a slip and you have to go according to the number, similar to waiting for your order in Nirula's :))
- You submit all the documents with originals for verification
- The officer then asks the witness to furnish the copy of his/her documents along with the originals and makes them sign the certificate copy
- You wait for the officer to show you the text of the certificate for information verification. During this time, if the girl intends to change her surname, she can.
- You wait for your turn to visit the Addl. Commissioner who re-checks the documents and meets you personally with the witness. If he/she is satisfied, they sign the certificate.
-You follow up a bit with the clerk to get the file which has your your certificate.
-You go back to the front desk officer, sign the original certificates, pay the amount and hurrah! its done...you are officially married :)
Finding the contact details of the District Commissioner office was a challenge as you have to dig out the information from website! For East Delhi, where we got our marriage registered, you need to go to the Geeta Colony office.
So making your lives easier :)
- East Delhi- http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_dceastupdated/DC+of+East+Delhi+Updated/Home/Contact+Us
- North-East Delhi- http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_dcnortheast_new/Deputy+Commissioner%28North-East%29/Home/Contact+Us
- South-West- http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_southwest/South+West+District/Home/Contact+Us
Enjoy! and remember its even more difficult to get a divorce--so stick to it and stay happy! :)
