Court Marriage Fees in Delhi (2026): Government Fee, Real Cost and Packages

Quick answer: The government fee for court marriage in Delhi is small: about ₹15 for a marriage under the Special Marriage Act and about ₹100 for registration under the Hindu Marriage Act, with ₹10,000 for a Tatkal (priority) registration appointment. Stamp paper, notary charges, photographs and copies usually add a few hundred rupees more. If you do everything yourself, a normal court marriage costs roughly ₹500 to ₹1,500 in total. With professional help, our published fees are ₹5,100 for an Arya Samaj marriage, ₹6,000 for SDM registration under the Hindu Marriage Act, ₹6,100 for an advocate-assisted court marriage, ₹7,100 for the Arya Samaj ceremony plus SDM registration, and ₹15,000 for the full Special Marriage Act process. Government fees are always separate and shown in writing.

Last reviewed: 22 September 2026 · 42 min read

Money is usually the second question couples ask us, right after "how long will it take?". The confusion is understandable. Search online and you will find court marriage "fees" anywhere from a hundred rupees to fifty thousand. Both numbers can be honest, because they measure completely different things: one is what the government charges, the other is what a full-service package with photographs, witnesses, apostille and embassy work might cost. This article separates every rupee so you can see exactly what you are paying for, what is optional and where people get overcharged.

If you are new to the subject, our main article on court marriage in Delhi explains the law and the two routes, and the step-by-step process explains each visit. Here we focus only on cost.

Total Cost of Court Marriage in Delhi at a Glance

Government fees are revised from time to time, and the payment screen on the e-District portal always shows the current amount. The "do it yourself" column assumes you already have all your documents and only pay for stamp paper, notary, photos and copies.

Government Fees Explained

Government fees are the only part of the cost that is fixed by the state. They are paid online on the Delhi e-District portal when you file, and you receive an official receipt. Nobody, including us, keeps any part of them.

Special Marriage Act fee

For a marriage solemnised by the SDM under the Special Marriage Act, the official fee is modest, in the region of ₹15 when paid online. It covers the notice of intended marriage, the solemnisation and the certificate entry. If you ask for the marriage to be solemnised at a place other than the Marriage Officer's office, which Section 12 of the Act allows, additional prescribed fees and conditions apply; in Delhi, almost every couple marries at the office.

Hindu Marriage Act registration fee

For registering a marriage already performed by Hindu rites, such as an Arya Samaj wedding, the Delhi Revenue Department lists a fee of ₹100 for a normal appointment.

Tatkal registration fee

Delhi offers a Tatkal (priority) appointment for Hindu Marriage Act registration for an official fee of ₹10,000. It buys speed, usually an appointment within one to two working days. It does not change the certificate itself, which is identical to a normal registration. Tatkal is not available for Special Marriage Act notices, because the 30-day notice cannot be shortened.

Payment gateway charges

Paying online adds a small charge, usually ₹10 to ₹20, depending on your payment method.

Late registration

Couples who married years ago and register late may be asked to explain the delay, and a late fee may apply. Our fees page lists the late-registration charge we budget for. If you married recently, register promptly to avoid this.

Every Other Cost, Item by Item

Beyond the government fee, a court marriage involves a handful of small costs. None of them is large, but together they are what most couples actually spend.

Costs that are not really costs

Two expenses are easy to overlook because they are not paid in cash: leave from work and time. Under the Special Marriage Act, both partners need two mornings at the SDM office, and the witnesses need one. If documents are wrong, add another morning each time. For working couples, getting it right the first time is often worth more than the service fee itself.

Doing It Yourself: A Realistic Budget

You can absolutely do a court marriage in Delhi without any agent or lawyer. The law is designed for that. Here is what a careful couple usually spends when they do everything themselves.

Special Marriage Act, self-filed

Hindu Marriage Act registration, self-filed

The registration fee is about ₹100, and the affidavit, photo and copy costs are similar, so expect roughly ₹600 to ₹1,000 plus whatever the mandir charges for the ceremony if you have not yet married. Arya Samaj mandirs set their own charges for the ceremony, priest, havan materials and certificate.

When doing it yourself makes sense

• Both of you have consistent documents with matching names and dates.
• One of you has clear, recent Delhi address proof in your own name.
• You are comfortable with online forms and can take two mornings off.
• Neither family is likely to object, and there are no safety concerns.
• Neither of you is a foreign national, and there is no previous marriage.

When professional help usually pays for itself

• A name or date mismatch between documents.
• A divorce decree, a foreign partner or a conversion in the picture.
• A hard deadline, such as a visa appointment.
• Family opposition, where discretion and speed matter.
• Couples who simply do not want to deal with offices and portals.

Our Packages: Prices and What Each Includes

These are the same prices published on our fees page. Every quote is given in writing, with government charges listed separately.

Why the Special Marriage Act package costs more

The full Special Marriage Act process takes five to eight weeks instead of a day or two. It includes filing, a verification visit, tracking the 30-day notice, handling any objection, booking and attending solemnisation with witnesses, and watching the three-month deadline. The extra fee reflects the extra weeks of work and the two accompanied office visits.

Add-Ons and Certificate Services

You only pay for add-ons you ask for. If a photographer or pickup is not needed, it does not appear in your quote. Witnesses are always people you bring yourselves; we do not provide them.

Cost by Type of Couple

The route you are eligible for, more than anything else, decides your cost. Here is how it works out for the couples we meet most often.

Two Hindu partners, no complications

The most economical way to a government certificate is an Arya Samaj wedding followed by Hindu Marriage Act registration. With us, that is the combined package at ₹7,100, plus about ₹100 in government registration fees and small notary costs. If you only need the ceremony, ₹5,100 covers it; if you are already married and only need registration, ₹6,000.

Inter-caste couples

Cost is the same as for any Hindu couple, because caste makes no legal difference to the procedure. Our love and inter-caste package is ₹5,100 for the ceremony, and registration can be added. If one partner belongs to a Scheduled Caste, a registered marriage may qualify for the central government's ₹2.5 lakh incentive; see government money for couples. Details of the legal process are in inter-caste marriage in Delhi.

Inter-religion couples

If neither partner will convert, the Special Marriage Act is the only route. Government fees stay small, but the process runs for five to eight weeks. Our inter-religion package is ₹10,000, and the full Special Marriage Act package is ₹15,000 where we manage every step. Read inter-religion marriage in India before deciding.

Divorced or widowed partners

There is no extra government fee for remarriage. The additional cost is usually a certified copy of the divorce decree (from the court's copying section) and slightly more careful affidavit drafting. Our standard package prices apply.

NRI and foreign-national couples

The marriage itself costs the same as for any couple: ₹5,100 for an NRI Arya Samaj wedding or ₹6,100 for an NRI court marriage. The extra money goes on what happens afterwards. An MEA apostille is ₹4,500 with our service plus a small government fee per page. Some countries need embassy attestation instead or as well. Our complete visa-ready package with apostille and embassy work is ₹30,000. Foreign partners may also pay their own embassy for a single-status certificate. See NRI marriage in India and marriage certificate apostille for visa.

Couples facing family opposition

The marriage itself costs the same. Where there are serious threats, some couples also need a protection petition in the Delhi High Court or a formal police complaint; legal fees for that work depend on the case and are quoted separately. Choosing a route without a public notice, where you qualify, can avoid that cost altogether. Our love marriage service is designed for these situations.

Is Tatkal Worth ₹10,000?

Tatkal is the one government fee that is not small, so it deserves an honest answer.

Tatkal is worth it when

• You have a visa, embassy or immigration appointment within days and need a government certificate.
• One partner is flying out and cannot return for weeks.
• An employer or official process has a firm deadline.
• Every extra day of waiting causes real risk or cost, for example repeated travel from another city.

Tatkal is not worth it when

• You have two weeks or more; a normal appointment is usually available in that time.
• You want the certificate "just to have it"; a normal registration gives exactly the same certificate.
• You are marrying under the Special Marriage Act; Tatkal does not apply and cannot shorten the 30-day notice.

Our Tatkal marriage certificate article and the note on same-day marriage registration go deeper into timing.

The Hidden Cost of Mistakes

The cheapest court marriage is the one that goes right the first time. Every mistake costs money even when no fee is charged, through extra days off work, travel, new affidavits and, in the worst case, a fresh 30-day wait.

Overcharging Red Flags

Most people in this line of work are honest, but the field attracts touts, especially around government offices. Be careful if you hear any of the following.

• "The government fee is ₹5,000." The official fee for a normal Special Marriage Act application or Hindu Marriage Act registration is small. Only Tatkal is ₹10,000.
• "We can finish your Special Marriage Act marriage in three days." The 30-day notice is fixed by law. Anyone promising otherwise is either switching you to a different route without explaining, or not telling the truth.
• "Pay everything in cash, no receipt." Always ask for a receipt for your payment and an official receipt for government fees.
• "You don't need to come to the office." Both partners must appear personally before the SDM. A "certificate" obtained without your presence is worthless and may be fake.
• "Extra for the officer." Requests for unofficial payments should be refused. Complete applications do not need them.
• Websites that charge for filling the government form. The e-District portal is free to use apart from the official fee.

How to Compare Quotes Properly

When you speak to two or three services, ask each the same questions. A good provider will answer every one clearly.

1. Which Act will my marriage be under, and why?
2. What exactly is your fee, and what does it include?
3. What are the government fees, and will I get the official receipt?
4. Are affidavit drafting, notary and photographs included or extra?
5. Will someone accompany us to the SDM office on each visit?
6. Do you expect us to bring our own witnesses? (A genuine service will say yes; paid or provided witnesses should be refused.)
7. What happens, and what does it cost, if there is an objection or a document problem?
8. What is your refund policy if we cancel?
9. Will I receive a written quote?
10. Can I speak to the person who will actually handle my case?

Compare total cost, not headline prices. A ₹3,000 quote that excludes affidavits, notary, witnesses and office visits can end up costing more than a ₹6,100 package that includes them.

Payment, Advance and Refunds

• Payment methods: UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm), cash at the mandir office, credit or debit card, and NEFT or RTGS bank transfer.
• Advance: ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 once your date is confirmed; the balance is paid on the day of service.
• Quote validity: 30 days, and locked once the advance is paid.
• EMI: available for premium packages of ₹15,000 and above, over three to six months.
• Refunds: full refund if you cancel 48 hours before the date; 50 per cent if you cancel within 24 hours.
• Government fees: paid to the government through the official portal, with an official receipt in your name.

When You Pay What: A Money Timeline

Couples often ask not only how much, but when. Here is the sequence for a typical Special Marriage Act marriage and for the faster Arya Samaj plus registration route.

Special Marriage Act

Arya Samaj wedding plus Hindu Marriage Act registration

At no stage should you be asked to pay anyone at the SDM office itself. Official fees are paid online and nothing further is due at the counter.

What Your Money Buys: Inside the ₹6,100 Court Marriage Package

Price means little without scope, so here is exactly what happens for the fee in our most common court marriage package.

1. Consultation: we confirm eligibility, the correct Act and the correct SDM office for your address.
2. Document review: we check every document against every other one for names, dates and addresses.
3. Affidavit drafting: we draft affidavits specific to your situation, including any name-variation or marital-status paragraphs.
4. Online filing: we file on the e-District portal with you, and share the acknowledgement and official fee receipt.
5. Office visits: a team member accompanies you to the SDM office and helps with the counter process.
6. Follow-up: we track the application and respond to any query from the office.
7. Certificate check: we check every detail on the certificate with you before you leave.

The combined ₹7,100 package adds the full Vedic ceremony at the mandir, with pandit, havan and saptapadi, before the registration.

Fees Across Delhi NCR

Couples living in Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad or Faridabad often ask whether marrying there costs more or less than in Delhi. Two things are worth knowing.

• Government fees differ by state. Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have their own registration rules and fee schedules, which are different from Delhi's. Check the relevant state portal or ask us for the current figure.
• Our package prices are the same across NCR. An Arya Samaj marriage is ₹5,100 whether you live in Delhi or in a neighbouring city. See our pages for Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Faridabad.

Which office you use depends on where one of you lives, not on where fees are lower, so choose based on eligibility and convenience.

Why Prices Vary So Much Between Providers

If you compare a few services, you will see very different numbers. The reasons are usually simple:

• Scope: some prices cover only the ceremony, others cover ceremony, registration, witnesses and office visits.
• Who does the work: an advocate's time costs more than a typist's, but also covers legal problems if they arise.
• Route: Special Marriage Act work runs for weeks; Hindu Marriage Act registration is quick.
• Extras bundled in: photography, video, sweets, decoration, pickup or apostille can double a quote.
• Honesty about government fees: some quotes include government fees, some hide them, some inflate them.

The fair comparison is always the total amount for the same outcome, with a written break-up.

Costs After the Marriage

Budget a little for the paperwork most couples do in the months after marriage.

• Passport update: adding a spouse's name or changing a surname usually requires a passport reissue, for which Passport Seva charges its standard reissue fee.
• Aadhaar update: a name or address change is done for a small UIDAI fee at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or online.
• Certified copies: a small official fee per copy; order several together if you will need them.
• Apostille or attestation: only if you will use the certificate abroad.
• Bank and insurance changes: usually free.

A Common Story: What a Tout Can Cost

This composite example reflects conversations we have with couples every month. A couple approached an agent outside a government office who promised a "same-day court marriage" for ₹20,000, cash only. He took the money and their document copies and gave them a printed paper a few days later. When they tried to use it for a passport update, the office could not verify it. They had to start again properly: a Special Marriage Act notice, 30 days of waiting and the correct fees. The real cost was not just ₹20,000; it was six extra weeks and the stress of wondering whether their marriage was legally recorded.

The lesson is simple. A real government marriage certificate always involves both partners appearing personally before the SDM, and the government fee is paid through the official portal with a receipt. If either of those is missing, walk away.

Money Checklist Before Your Office Visit

• ☐ Written quote received, with government fees on a separate line
• ☐ Official fee paid on e-District and receipt printed
• ☐ Stamp paper and notary done for all affidavits
• ☐ Photographs for both partners and all witnesses
• ☐ Travel planned for both partners and witnesses
• ☐ Payment receipts for any service fee paid
• ☐ No cash promised to anyone at the office

Is Paying for Help Worth It? Honest Answers to Six Value Questions

"We can do it for ₹1,000. Why pay ₹6,100?"

If your documents are consistent, your address proof is strong, there is no previous marriage or foreign partner, and you can take two mornings off, you probably do not need to pay anyone. The law is designed so couples can apply directly. What a service sells is certainty and time: fewer visits, no returned applications and someone who has done this thousands of times standing next to you. Whether that is worth ₹5,000 more depends on how much your time and peace of mind are worth in your situation.

"Is the combined ₹7,100 package better than paying ₹5,100 and ₹6,000 separately?"

Yes, if you need both the ceremony and the government certificate. Buying them separately would cost ₹11,100, while the combined package is ₹7,100, because the documents, affidavits and witnesses are prepared once for both steps.

"Why does an advocate-assisted marriage cost more than a typing shop?"

A typing shop fills forms. An advocate checks whether the marriage is legally sound for your situation: whether a divorce is final, whether a conversion is valid, whether the relationship is within prohibited degrees, whether a foreign decree is recognised. If none of those questions applies to you, a typing shop may be enough; if any does, the legal check is what you are paying for.

"Will paying more make the SDM office faster?"

No. The Special Marriage Act notice is 30 days whatever you pay. What speeds things up is a complete, correct file and, for Hindu Marriage Act registration, the official ₹10,000 Tatkal appointment. Anyone offering to make the office faster for an extra payment is offering something you should refuse.

"Are photographs and video necessary?"

For Hindu Marriage Act registration, a few clear ceremony photographs are needed as proof, and a phone camera is fine. Professional photography and video are for memories, not for the law, so treat them as optional.

"Is the ₹30,000 NRI package expensive?"

It bundles the marriage registration with MEA apostille and embassy attestation, which involve several offices and couriers and usually two to three weeks of follow-up. If your destination country accepts an apostille alone, you may only need the marriage package plus the ₹4,500 apostille service. We will tell you which applies before you book.

Paying Safely

• Pay government fees only on the official e-District portal and keep the receipt.
• Pay service fees only after you receive a written quote, and ask for a receipt for every payment.
• Check that UPI payments go to the business name you expect.
• Never share an OTP, card PIN or banking password with anyone helping you with the marriage. No genuine service needs them.
• Be cautious of people who contact you first, especially near government offices, offering to "handle everything" for cash.
• Save all receipts and quotes together with your marriage documents.

Fee Terms, Explained Simply

• Government fee: the official fee paid to the Delhi government for your marriage or registration, through the e-District portal.
• Service fee: what a lawyer or service charges for their work; agreed in advance and separate from government fees.
• Stamp paper / e-stamp: the paper on which affidavits are executed, carrying the stamp duty required by law.
• Notarial fee: what a notary charges to attest your affidavit.
• Gateway charge: a small charge for paying online.
• Tatkal fee: the ₹10,000 official fee for a priority Hindu Marriage Act registration appointment.
• Apostille: an MEA certificate that makes an Indian document acceptable in Hague Convention countries; has a small government fee per page.
• Embassy attestation: legalisation by a country's embassy, for countries that do not accept an apostille.
• Certified copy: an officially attested copy of your marriage certificate.
• Advance: a part payment that confirms your booking; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 with us.

What It Costs If Your Plans Change

Plans change: a witness falls ill, a partner's leave is cancelled, or a family situation shifts. Here is what that means financially.

• Rescheduling a ceremony with us: tell us as early as possible. A date moved with reasonable notice is simply rebooked; your advance carries forward within the quote's validity.
• Cancelling: a full refund of the advance if you cancel 48 hours or more before the date, and 50 per cent if you cancel within 24 hours.
• Missing a solemnisation date under the Special Marriage Act: you can usually take a new date without new government fees, provided it is still within three calendar months of the notice.
• Missing the three-month window: the notice lapses. A fresh notice needs a new government fee and another 30 days.
• Switching route: if you move from the Special Marriage Act to an Arya Samaj wedding plus registration, or the other way round, the new route's fees apply. We credit work already done where it can be reused.

Fees for Corrections and Follow-Up Work

Not every cost happens on the wedding day. These are the follow-up services couples most often need, with our fees where we provide them.

Four Sample Budgets

These composite examples show what real couples typically spend. Government-side figures are approximate and should be confirmed on the portal.

Budget 1: Hindu couple, ceremony plus registration, no extras

Budget 2: Inter-religion couple, Special Marriage Act, fully managed

Budget 3: Couple with a visa deadline, Tatkal registration and apostille

Budget 4: Couple doing everything themselves under the Special Marriage Act

Which Package Should You Choose?

A simple way to decide:

• Both Hindu, Sikh, Jain or Buddhist, want a ceremony and a government certificate: combined package, ₹7,100.
• Already married by Hindu rites, only need the certificate: HMA SDM registration, ₹6,000.
• Want a government certificate with a lawyer handling the file: advocate-assisted court marriage, ₹6,100.
• Different religions, no conversion, want every step handled: Special Marriage Act package, ₹15,000, or inter-religion package, ₹10,000.
• Only want the Vedic ceremony today: Arya Samaj marriage, ₹5,100.
• Moving abroad soon: NRI registration with apostille and embassy work, ₹30,000, or the relevant marriage package plus apostille.

Still unsure? Our Arya Samaj versus court marriage comparison and the Special Marriage Act versus Hindu Marriage Act article explain the trade-offs.

Ways to Save Money on Court Marriage

1. Choose the right route first. The wrong route is the most expensive mistake, because it can mean starting again.
2. Fix document mismatches before filing. One clarifying affidavit costs far less than a second visit.
3. Skip Tatkal unless you truly need it. A normal appointment gives the same certificate.
4. Bring your own witnesses. Friends or colleagues cost nothing but a morning.
5. Combine the ceremony and registration. The combined package costs less than buying both separately.
6. Order certified copies once. If you will need several for visas and banks, order them together.
7. Book outside the peak season. November to February is busiest; faster appointments save leave and travel.
8. Keep a digital folder. Good scans avoid paying for repeated photocopies and prints.

Court marriage versus a traditional wedding

Many couples choose court marriage partly because it is affordable. A traditional wedding with venue, catering, decoration and outfits can easily run into lakhs of rupees, while a court marriage or Arya Samaj wedding with registration usually costs a few thousand. Some couples marry legally first and hold a reception later, which spreads the cost and still gives them a government certificate from day one.

Government Money for Couples

Some couples can receive money after marriage rather than only spending it.

• Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages: a central government incentive of ₹2.5 lakh where one spouse belongs to a Scheduled Caste and the marriage is legally registered, subject to the scheme's conditions and available funds.
• State schemes: several states run their own inter-caste marriage incentives with separate eligibility rules. Check the scheme of the state where you are eligible.

Every such scheme needs a government marriage certificate, which is one more reason to register your marriage rather than relying only on a religious certificate.

Court Marriage Fees in Delhi: One-Minute Summary

• Special Marriage Act government fee: about ₹15, paid online on e-District.
• Hindu Marriage Act registration government fee: about ₹100; Tatkal ₹10,000.
• Other small costs: stamp paper, notary (₹100–200 per affidavit), photographs and copies.
• Do-it-yourself total: about ₹800–1,300 for the Special Marriage Act, excluding travel.
• Arya Samaj marriage (with us): ₹5,100, same-day mandir certificate.
• HMA SDM registration (with us): ₹6,000.
• Advocate-assisted court marriage (with us): ₹6,100.
• Arya Samaj + court marriage combined (with us): ₹7,100.
• Inter-religion marriage (with us): ₹10,000; full Special Marriage Act process ₹15,000.
• NRI visa-ready registration with apostille and embassy work: ₹30,000.
• Apostille service: ₹4,500 plus a small government fee per page.
• Witnesses: bring your own; we do not provide witnesses.
• Government fees: always separate, always with an official receipt in your name.

If a quote you receive is far outside these ranges for the same scope, ask for a written break-up before paying anything. You can also compare it against the full price list on our fees page and the service details on the court marriage and Arya Samaj marriage pages.

How We Keep Costs Clear

Since 1998, our pricing rule has been simple: the fee we quote is the fee you pay. You get a written quote that lists our service fee, the government fees and any optional extras on separate lines. Government fees are paid through the official portal with a receipt in your name. If an unexpected legal issue comes up, we explain it and quote for it before doing any extra work. Call or WhatsApp +91 8376863962 for a free quote for your exact case.

Questions and Answers About Court Marriage Fees in Delhi

Sources and Official References

Facts in this article were checked against the following primary sources. Government fees and procedures change, so confirm current details on the official portal before applying.

• The Special Marriage Act, 1954 – full text on India Code (Government of India)
• The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – full text on India Code (Government of India)
• Marriage Registration – Revenue Department, Government of NCT of Delhi
• e-District Delhi – official online application portal

This article is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Call +91 8376863962 for advice on your situation.

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