Solemnizing an Inter-Religious Marriage

Home / Legal Explainers / Family & Marriage / Marriage / Inter-Religious Marriage / Solemnizing an Inter-Religious Marriage

There is no specific form or essential ceremony for a marriage under Special Marriage Act, but there are two possibilities:¹

When you and your spouse do not want religious ceremonies

The parties can choose not to perform any religious ceremony and merely register their marriage before the Marriage Officer. You can decide how to perform the marriage but you and your spouse have to say the following to each other: ‘I, [your name] take thee [your spouse’s name] to be my lawful wife/husband.’ This has to be done in front of the Marriage Officer and three witnesses.

When you and your spouse want religious ceremonies for your wedding

You can perform any religious ceremony (according to the personal law) and then register your marriage under the Special Marriage Act. There is one condition: you and your spouse should have been living as husband and wife from the date of the ceremony until the date of registration.

Section 12 and 15, The Special Marriage Act, 1954.[↩]

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Ask Nyaaya

Related Resources

Guide on Registration of Inter-religious Marriages

This guide summarizes the legal and procedural aspects of entering into an inter-religious (special) marriage, including giving notice of the marriage, performing the marriage, and obtaining the marriage certificate.