As per the law, a person licensed to grant Marriage certificates can only certify marriage between two Indian Christians,1 neither of them coming from the Roman Catholic faith.2 Under these provisions, any two Indian Christians can marry, without preliminary notices, if they fulfil the following conditions:
- The bridegroom is over 21 years and the bride is over 18 years of age.3
- Neither of them has a wife or husband still living.4
- If they take the oath prescribed by the law, in front of the person licensed to grant certificates, and two other credible witnesses.5
Upon receiving an application in person from any one of the parties, the licensed person will see whether the above criteria have been met, and shall issue a certificate for the marriage. The fee for obtaining such a certificate is four annas, that is, 25 paise. This certificate will act as conclusive proof for the validity of the marriage performed.6
- Section 60, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[↩]
- Section 65, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[↩]
- Section 60 (1), Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[↩]
- Section 60 (2), Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[↩]
- Section 60 (3), Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[↩]
- Section 61, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[↩]