What is the procedure for a marriage by a person licensed to grant marriage certificates?

Last updated on May 12, 2022

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

  1. Section 60, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[]
  2. Section 65, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[]
  3. Section 60 (1), Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[]
  4. Section 60 (2), Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[]
  5. Section 60 (3), Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[]
  6. Section 61, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.[]

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Please share your feedback about this post!

Sharing feedback will help us improve our content. Tell us how!

If you want to keep your feedback confidential, please mention it in your feedback. If you have a question, please ask us in the comments or Ask Nyaaya sections.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Related Resources

What is the procedure for a marriage by a Marriage Registrar?

A marriage performed by a Marriage Registrar has multiple stages, including the issuing of notice, performance and registration of marriage.

How can minors marry under Christian Law?

Under Christian law, a minor is defined as someone below the age of 21 years, and is not a widow or widower.

What is the procedure for a marriage by a Licensed Minister of Religion?

A marriage performed by a Marriage Registrar has multiple stages, including the issuing of notice, performance and registration of marriage.

Who can get married under Christian Law?

Any two persons who are Christians can marry under Christian law. However, there are some minimum age requirements and prohibited marriages.

Who can perform a Christian Marriage?

The persons who can perform a Christian Marriage include priests, ministers, clergymen of the Church of Scotland, Marriage Registrar, etc.

When and where can a Christian Marriage be performed?

A Christian marriage can only be performed between 6 AM and 7 PM in a church, private dwelling or in the presence of a marriage registrar.