Court Marriage Registration Online in Delhi (2026): e-District Step by Step

Quick answer: In Delhi, court marriage and marriage registration applications are made online on the government's e-District portal (edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in). You register as a new user with a mobile number and an identity document, choose the correct service (marriage under the Special Marriage Act, or registration of a Hindu marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act), fill in both partners' details, upload scanned documents, pay the fee online (about ₹15 under the Special Marriage Act, ₹100 under the Hindu Marriage Act, or ₹10,000 for Tatkal) and receive an application number and appointment. The filing, payment and status tracking are online, but the marriage itself is not: both partners must appear in person before the SDM, with witnesses, for verification and for solemnisation or registration. Under the Special Marriage Act, a 30-day public notice also runs between the two visits.

Last reviewed: 22 September 2026 · 40 min read

"Can we do court marriage online?" is one of the most searched questions about marriage in Delhi, and the honest answer is: partly. The Delhi government moved marriage applications onto its e-District portal years ago, so the paperwork side is online. The legal act of marrying, or of confirming an existing marriage before the SDM, still needs you in the room. This article walks through the online part screen by screen, explains what happens after you press submit, and covers the errors and scams that catch people out. For the full legal background, see our main article on court marriage in Delhi; for what happens at each office visit, see the step-by-step process.

Portal screens, menu names and upload limits change from time to time. The steps below describe the sequence and the information you will need; follow the exact labels you see on the portal on the day you apply.

What Is Online and What Is Not

So a fully online court marriage, where you never meet an officer, does not exist in Delhi. Any website or agent promising one should be treated with great suspicion, as we explain under scams.

Before You Open the Portal

A little preparation turns a frustrating hour on the portal into a calm fifteen minutes.

Decide which law applies

• Special Marriage Act: any two eligible adults of any religion; you are giving notice of a marriage that has not yet happened; a 30-day notice follows.
• Hindu Marriage Act: both partners Hindu, Sikh, Jain or Buddhist, and the marriage has already been performed by religious rites (for example, an Arya Samaj wedding); you are applying to register it.

If you are unsure, read Special Marriage Act versus Hindu Marriage Act or Arya Samaj marriage versus court marriage first. The service you choose online cannot simply be switched later.

Identify the right sub-division

Under the Special Marriage Act, you apply where at least one partner has lived for 30 days. For Hindu Marriage Act registration, you apply to the office with jurisdiction over the relevant address. Note the exact colony and pin code; the portal's district and sub-division selection decides where your file goes.

Get your scans ready

• Age proof of both partners (Class 10 certificate, birth certificate or passport).
• Identity proof (Aadhaar both sides, passport or voter ID).
• Address proof showing the Delhi address.
• Recent passport-size photographs as JPEGs.
• Notarised affidavits.
• For HMA registration: the religious marriage certificate and ceremony photographs, and invitation card if any.
• Divorce decree or late spouse's death certificate if applicable.

The full list, with affidavit specimens, is in our documents required article.

Technical basics

• A laptop or desktop is easier than a phone for long forms and uploads.
• Use an up-to-date browser and allow pop-ups for the portal if payment windows do not open.
• Keep the registered mobile phone with you for one-time passwords.
• Set aside uninterrupted time; long idle periods can log you out.

Creating Your e-District Account

1. Go to edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in. Type the address yourself; do not rely on search-engine advertisements.
2. Find the citizen section and choose the option to register as a new user.
3. Select an identity document type (commonly Aadhaar) and enter its number, then complete verification by one-time password where asked.
4. Fill in your basic details, create a login ID and password, and note them somewhere safe.
5. Log in with your new credentials.

Use the account of one partner, ideally the one whose address establishes jurisdiction. One account handles the whole application, so avoid creating several accounts or duplicate applications, which can confuse the office.

Choosing the Right Service

After logging in, open the list of services and look for marriage-related services. You will typically see separate entries for marriage under the Special Marriage Act and for registration of marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, sometimes grouped under "Registration of Marriages". Read the service names carefully:

• If you are giving notice of an intended civil marriage, choose the Special Marriage Act service.
• If you have already married by Hindu rites and want a government certificate, choose the Hindu Marriage Act registration service.
• If you need a priority registration appointment and are eligible, look for the Tatkal option within Hindu Marriage Act registration.

Choosing the wrong service is one of the most common and time-wasting mistakes, because the forms, fees and procedures differ, and the office cannot convert one into the other.

Filling the Form, Section by Section

The exact layout differs between the Special Marriage Act and Hindu Marriage Act forms, but they collect similar information. Work from a written "name-and-date sheet" so that every entry matches your documents letter for letter.

Section 1: Applicant and jurisdiction

• District and sub-division (SDM office) where you are applying.
• Whose residence establishes jurisdiction (for the Special Marriage Act).
• Contact mobile number and email.

Section 2: Groom's details

• Full name exactly as in the age proof.
• Father's name and mother's name.
• Date of birth (check the day-month-year format).
• Religion and nationality (the Special Marriage Act does not require any religion, but the form records it).
• Occupation.
• Marital status at the time of marriage: never married, divorced or widower.
• Present address, permanent address, and the period of residence at the present address.

Section 3: Bride's details

The same fields as for the groom. If the bride uses a surname that differs between documents, choose the version on her age proof and explain any difference in her affidavit.

Section 4: Marriage details (Hindu Marriage Act registration)

• Date of marriage.
• Place of marriage (for example, the name and address of the Arya Samaj mandir).
• Form of ceremony (Vedic, Arya Samaj, Anand Karaj or other customary rites).

For a Special Marriage Act notice, this section is replaced by the details of the intended marriage and, in some versions, a proposed period for solemnisation.

Section 5: Witnesses

Some forms collect witness details at the application stage; others at the appointment. Keep names, parentage, addresses and ID numbers of your witnesses ready: three for a Special Marriage Act marriage, usually two for Hindu Marriage Act registration. Witnesses must be people who genuinely know you, such as friends, colleagues or relatives; we do not provide witnesses. Rules for witnesses are explained in witness requirements.

Section 6: Declaration

Before submitting, you confirm that the information is true. Take this seriously: false statements in a marriage application or declaration can have legal consequences.

Five checks before you continue

1. Every name is spelt exactly as on the age proof.
2. Dates of birth match the documents and are in the right format.
3. The "residing since" date matches your rent agreement or other proof.
4. Marital status is correct for both partners.
5. The selected sub-division covers the address on the uploaded proof.

Uploading Documents

Getting files under the size limit

• Scan at a moderate resolution; very high resolutions create huge files without making text clearer.
• Use a PDF compression tool, then zoom in to check small print is still readable.
• For photographs, resize the image rather than lowering quality so far that the face blurs.
• Do not merge unrelated documents into one file unless the portal asks for it.

Naming files

Clear names make it easy to find the right file and reduce upload mistakes: "groom-age-class10.pdf", "bride-aadhaar.pdf", "bride-rent-agreement.pdf", "joint-affidavit.pdf".

Paying the Fee Online

Payment is made through the portal's gateway by net banking, card or UPI, depending on what is offered. After payment, save or print the receipt with the transaction reference. If the payment fails but money is deducted, do not pay again straight away; see portal errors below. The complete cost picture, including notary and stamp charges, is in court marriage fees in Delhi.

After You Submit

1. Acknowledgement: the portal shows an application number and usually lets you download an acknowledgement. Download it and print two copies.
2. Appointment: an appointment date for appearance at the SDM office is shown, or is given later through the portal or by message.
3. Record keeping: save the application number, payment reference, login ID and the date of submission in one note on your phone.
4. Do not reapply: if you are unsure whether the application went through, check the status first. Duplicate applications cause confusion at the office.

Tracking Status and What Each Stage Means

Status labels vary, but most applications move through similar stages.

Check status every few days, especially around your appointment and during the notice period.

Answering Queries from the Office

A query is not a rejection. It usually means one document is unclear or one detail does not match. The fastest way through is to:

• read the query exactly and supply only what is asked;
• upload a clear new scan, or carry the document to your appointment if the portal says so;
• if the query is about a name or date difference, add or correct the explanatory affidavit;
• keep your reply polite and specific;
• take a screenshot of your reply for your records.

If a query asks for something the law does not require and you cannot provide it, ask for the request in writing at the office and seek advice.

The Office Visit or Visits

Online filing gets you to the counter; it does not replace it.

Special Marriage Act: two visits

1. Verification: both partners bring originals and a set of self-attested copies. The notice is signed and entered in the Marriage Notice Book, and the 30-day notice begins.
2. Solemnisation: after the notice period and within three months of the notice, both partners and three witnesses attend, sign the declaration and make the marriage declaration before the officer.

Hindu Marriage Act registration: usually one visit

Both partners and the witnesses attend with originals, the religious marriage certificate and photographs. If everything matches, the marriage is registered and the certificate issued or made available.

What to carry to every visit

• Printed acknowledgement and payment receipt.
• Original documents of both partners, and of witnesses on the solemnisation or registration day.
• One set of self-attested photocopies in the same order as your upload.
• Spare passport photographs.
• Your phone with the application number and login details.

The step-by-step process article describes what happens in the room and what officers typically ask.

Getting and Verifying the Certificate

Collecting or downloading

Depending on the service and the office, the certificate may be handed over, printed at the office, or made available for download from your account once the status shows it is ready. Download and save the certificate as soon as it is available, and keep a printed copy.

Check every detail

Compare names, parents' names, dates of birth, addresses, the date and place of marriage and witnesses' names with your documents. Report any error immediately; correcting it later requires a separate application.

Verifying a certificate

Where the portal offers a verification facility, a certificate can be checked using its number or a code printed on it. Banks, employers and embassies may use this. It is also a good way to confirm that a certificate you received from anyone other than the office is genuine.

Using the certificate abroad

For use in another country, the certificate is usually authenticated and then apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs, or attested by the relevant embassy for countries outside the Apostille Convention. See marriage certificate apostille for visa.

Lost certificate

If you lose the certificate, you can usually download it again from your account where the service allows, or apply to the issuing office for a certified copy. Our marriage certificate service handles duplicates, corrections and apostille.

Common Portal Errors and How to Fix Them

Fake Websites and Online Scams

Because "court marriage online" is such a common search, fraudsters target it. Protect yourself with a few simple rules.

• Type the official address yourself: edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in. Government websites in India usually end in gov.in or nic.in.
• Beware of look-alike sites that copy government colours and logos and charge a "processing fee" to fill the government form. The government portal does not charge anything beyond the official fee.
• No certificate without appearance: anyone offering a marriage certificate "online, without visiting the office" is offering something that cannot be genuine.
• Never share one-time passwords, card PINs or banking passwords with anyone helping you.
• Verify certificates through the official portal if you have any doubt about a document you were given.
• Use legitimate help: if you want assistance, choose a service that files on the official portal with you, shares the official acknowledgement and fee receipt in your name, and accompanies you to the SDM office.

Filing with Help: CSC, Cyber Café or a Service

Applying from Abroad

NRIs and couples living outside Delhi often ask whether they can file from abroad. The online form can technically be filled from anywhere, but:

• Under the Special Marriage Act, one partner must have lived at a Delhi address for 30 days before the notice. Filing from abroad before that period is complete will not work.
• Both partners must appear in person for verification and for solemnisation or registration.
• Foreign partners need a valid passport and visa and usually a single-status certificate, which should be ready before filing.

A practical plan is for the partner living in Delhi to complete the account and form, with the NRI partner arriving for the office visits. For couples who are both Hindu and short of time, an Arya Samaj wedding followed by Hindu Marriage Act registration, possibly with Tatkal, fits into a short trip. See NRI marriage in India and our NRI marriage service.

What Happens to Your Online Application Inside the Office

Knowing what happens after you press submit helps you understand delays and queries.

1. Allocation: the application reaches the SDM office for the sub-division you selected. If the address does not belong there, it may be returned.
2. Scrutiny: a dealing assistant reviews the form and uploads for completeness and consistency: names, dates, addresses, marital status and required documents.
3. Appointment: a date is fixed for the couple to appear, or confirmed if the portal assigned one.
4. Verification: at the appointment, originals are compared with uploads. Under the Special Marriage Act, the notice is signed and entered in the Marriage Notice Book and published; under the Hindu Marriage Act, the registration can be completed if the witnesses are present.
5. Notice period (SMA only): the notice is displayed for 30 days; objections, if any, are recorded and decided.
6. Solemnisation or registration: the marriage is solemnised or registered and the certificate is entered in the relevant register.
7. Issue: the certificate is handed over or made available in your account.

Most online "delays" happen at step 2, when a scan is unreadable or a detail does not match. A clean application moves quickly.

Registering an Older Marriage Online

Couples who married months or years ago by Hindu rites can also apply online under the Hindu Marriage Act. The process is the same as for a recent wedding, with a few differences:

• Proof of the ceremony: upload whatever you have: the mandir or temple certificate, wedding photographs, the invitation card, or affidavits from people who attended.
• Explanation of delay: the office may ask why registration was not done earlier; a short explanatory affidavit helps.
• Late fee: an additional amount may apply for late registration; check at the time of application.
• Children: if you have children, their birth certificates are not required for registration, but keeping names consistent across documents avoids later problems.

Couples married in another form who want the civil status of the Special Marriage Act can apply under Sections 15 and 16 of that Act. Both partners must be at least 21, and a 30-day notice applies. Our Special Marriage Act versus Hindu Marriage Act article explains this route.

Extra Uploads for Special Situations

Online Filing Compared with the Old Paper Process

Keeping Your Online File Safe

• Use a strong, unique password for your e-District account and do not share it.
• Log out after each session, especially on shared or public computers.
• Never share one-time passwords with anyone, including people helping you.
• Store your acknowledgement, receipt and certificate in secure cloud storage as well as on your phone.
• If you used a cyber café, delete your scans and downloads from their computer before leaving.
• If your family opposes the marriage, make sure your email and phone notifications from the portal cannot be seen by others.

Portal Terms, Explained

• e-District: the Delhi government's online platform for citizen services, including marriage applications.
• Application number: the reference number for your application; you need it for tracking and at the office.
• Acknowledgement: the confirmation slip generated after submission.
• Service: the specific government service you apply for, such as Special Marriage Act marriage or Hindu Marriage Act registration.
• Sub-division / SDM office: the local office that handles your application, chosen by address.
• Query / return: a request from the office for clarification or a document.
• Notice (SMA): the notice of intended marriage that is published for 30 days after verification.
• Tatkal: the priority appointment option for Hindu Marriage Act registration, with a ₹10,000 official fee.
• Digitally available certificate: a certificate you can download from your account where the service allows.
• Verification facility: an option for checking a certificate's authenticity using its number or code, where provided.

One-Minute Summary

• Apply on edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in; type the address yourself.
• Create an account, choose the correct service (SMA or HMA), fill both partners' details exactly as in age proofs.
• Upload clear scans within size limits; pay about ₹15 (SMA), ₹100 (HMA) or ₹10,000 (Tatkal).
• Download the acknowledgement, track status, answer queries quickly.
• Appear in person: twice for SMA (verification, then solemnisation after 30 days), usually once for HMA registration.
• Download or collect the certificate, check every detail and store copies safely.
• Avoid look-alike sites and anyone promising a certificate without an office visit.

Choosing the Right Sub-Division Online: Worked Examples

Selecting the office is the single most important choice on the form. These composite examples show how to think about it.

• Both partners live in the same colony: choose the sub-division covering that colony. Simple.
• Bride in East Delhi, groom in Gurgaon: only the bride has a Delhi address, so for a Special Marriage Act notice in Delhi, apply in the sub-division covering her address, using her address proof.
• Both in Delhi, different districts: either can establish jurisdiction. Choose the partner whose address proof is strongest and most recent, or whose office is more convenient and discreet.
• Recently moved within Delhi: if you moved less than 30 days ago, your new address does not yet qualify for the Special Marriage Act; use your partner's address or wait.
• Living in a PG near a district border: check the portal's locality list carefully; PG addresses near borders are often mapped to a different sub-division than people expect.
• Hindu Marriage Act registration after an Arya Samaj wedding: apply to the office with jurisdiction for the relevant address as shown on the portal, and carry the mandir certificate and photographs.

Privacy Tips for Couples Facing Opposition

• Use a mobile number and email that only you control for the e-District account; portal messages and one-time passwords go there.
• Do not leave printed acknowledgements or receipts where family members might find them.
• Clear browser history and saved passwords on shared computers.
• If both of you are Hindu, Sikh, Jain or Buddhist, remember that Hindu Marriage Act registration after an Arya Samaj wedding has no 30-day public notice.
• Under the Special Marriage Act, prepare a written protection request to the police before filing, and keep copies of your age proofs with it.
• Keep digital copies of everything in secure cloud storage in case your phone is taken or lost.

Our love marriage service and the article on love marriage legal rights explain your protections in more detail.

Applying for Tatkal Registration Online

1. Complete the Arya Samaj or other Hindu wedding first; Tatkal is for registration, not for the ceremony.
2. Keep the mandir certificate, ceremony photographs, age, identity and address proofs, joint affidavit and witnesses' details ready before you log in.
3. Choose Hindu Marriage Act registration and select the Tatkal option where shown.
4. Fill in both partners' and the marriage details, upload documents and pay the ₹10,000 official fee online.
5. Download the acknowledgement and note the appointment, which is usually within one to two working days.
6. Attend with both partners, the witnesses and all originals.

Because the appointment comes so quickly, there is little time to fix mistakes. Tatkal works best when documents are already checked. See our Tatkal marriage certificate article for when it is worth the fee.

What the Published Notice Shows (Special Marriage Act)

Couples often worry about what others can see once the notice is published. The notice of intended marriage, in the form set out in the Act, typically records each partner's name, condition (unmarried, widow or widower, divorced), occupation, age, dwelling place, permanent address where different, and the length of residence. It is displayed at the Marriage Officer's office and entered in the Marriage Notice Book, which is open for inspection. Filing online does not make the notice itself an online publication for the general public, but you should assume that anyone who visits the office could see it during the 30 days.

Online Services You Will Use After Marriage

• Passport: the Passport Seva portal handles reissue for a spouse's name or surname change, with the marriage certificate as supporting proof.
• Aadhaar: name or address updates can be requested online or at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, supported by the marriage certificate.
• Apostille: for use abroad, the certificate is authenticated and then apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs; see marriage certificate apostille.
• Bank and insurance: many banks and insurers now accept nomination and name changes online with a scanned marriage certificate.

Eight Questions to Ask Before Paying Anyone to File Online

1. Will you file on the official e-District portal, and will the account and receipts be in our names?
2. Will you show us the acknowledgement and official fee receipt as soon as the application is submitted?
3. Which law are you filing under, and why is it right for us?
4. Which SDM office will the application go to, and on the basis of whose address?
5. Do you check documents and draft affidavits, or only type the form?
6. Will someone accompany us to the office visits?
7. Do you expect us to bring our own witnesses? (A genuine service will always say yes.)
8. What is your total fee in writing, separate from government fees?

If any answer is vague, or if someone offers a certificate without an office visit or offers to supply witnesses, walk away.

Extra Care for Divorced and Widowed Applicants

The online form asks for marital status, and this is where remarriage applications most often go wrong. Select "divorced" or "widowed" exactly as applicable, never "unmarried". Upload the complete certified divorce decree, including the page showing the date, or the late spouse's death certificate. Make sure the affidavit states the decree's court, case number and date, and that no appeal is pending, or the date of the spouse's death. If the decree was passed abroad, have it apostilled or attested before filing. A clean remarriage file is processed just like any other; an incomplete one is almost always queried.

Online Application Timeline

A Worked Example: One Couple's Online Application

This composite example follows a typical Hindu couple registering an Arya Samaj marriage.

1. Saturday morning: the couple married at an Arya Samaj mandir and received the mandir certificate and photographs.
2. Saturday evening: the bride, whose Delhi address is used, created an e-District account with her Aadhaar and mobile number.
3. Sunday: they scanned both Class 10 certificates, Aadhaar cards, the bride's rent agreement and electricity bill, the joint affidavit, the mandir certificate and three ceremony photos, and compressed them to fit the limits.
4. Monday: they chose Hindu Marriage Act registration, filled in both partners' details from their name-and-date sheet, uploaded files, paid ₹100 and downloaded the acknowledgement with an appointment the following week.
5. Appointment day: they appeared with two witnesses and originals. The officer checked the documents and registered the marriage.
6. Afterwards: they downloaded the certificate, checked every detail and saved copies in cloud storage.

Their only hiccup was a payment page that did not open; allowing pop-ups solved it.

Online Application Checklist

• ☐ Correct law decided (SMA or HMA)
• ☐ Correct sub-division identified from the address proof
• ☐ Name-and-date sheet prepared and checked against all documents
• ☐ All documents scanned, compressed and clearly named
• ☐ Affidavits notarised and scanned with every page
• ☐ e-District account created; login saved safely
• ☐ Correct service selected
• ☐ Form filled carefully; preview checked line by line
• ☐ Fee paid; receipt saved
• ☐ Acknowledgement downloaded and printed
• ☐ Appointment noted; witnesses informed
• ☐ Status checked regularly; queries answered promptly
• ☐ Certificate downloaded and checked; copies stored safely

If You Cannot Apply Online

Some couples do not have reliable internet or are not comfortable with online forms. Options include asking a trusted friend to help, visiting a Common Service Centre, or using a professional service. District offices also have help desks for citizens who need assistance with e-District services. The application still ends up on the same portal; what changes is who does the typing.

Seven Online Mistakes That Cost Couples Weeks

1. Selecting the Special Marriage Act when the couple wanted to register an Arya Samaj marriage, or the reverse.
2. Choosing the sub-division nearest to home rather than the one that covers the address on the proof.
3. Typing names from memory instead of copying them exactly from the age proof.
4. Uploading only the front of Aadhaar or the first page of a rent agreement.
5. Paying twice after a gateway failure, then waiting for a refund.
6. Creating a second application instead of checking the status of the first.
7. Ignoring a query on the portal until the appointment day.

A Final Word on "Online Court Marriage"

The phrase "online court marriage" will keep appearing in adverts and search results, because it is what people type. The reality in Delhi is straightforward: the paperwork is online, the marriage is in person. That is a protection, not an inconvenience. The personal appearance before the SDM, with witnesses who genuinely know you, is what makes your certificate trustworthy to passport offices, embassies, courts and banks for the rest of your life. Use the portal to save time on forms and fees, and use the office visit to make sure everything on your certificate is exactly right.

How We Handle the Online Part for You

Many couples prefer to hand the portal work to someone who does it every day. When we file for you, we check eligibility and the correct law, prepare and check documents and affidavits, file on the official e-District portal under your account with you present or on the phone, share the official acknowledgement and fee receipt in your name, track the status and respond to any query, and accompany you on every office visit. Government fees are paid only on the official portal. See our marriage registration and court marriage service pages, the documents page and our fees.

Questions and Answers: Court Marriage Registration Online 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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