Documents Required for Court Marriage in Delhi (2026 Checklist)

Quick answer: For court marriage in Delhi, each partner needs (1) proof of date of birth, ideally a Class 10 certificate, birth certificate or passport; (2) photo identity proof such as Aadhaar, passport or voter ID; (3) proof of a Delhi address where at least one partner has lived for 30 days; (4) recent passport-size photographs; and (5) a notarised affidavit declaring age, marital status, nationality and that the partners are not within prohibited degrees of relationship. Divorcees add a certified copy of the final divorce decree, widowed partners add the late spouse's death certificate, and foreign nationals add a passport with visa and a single-status certificate. Under the Special Marriage Act, three witnesses each bring an original photo ID with address and photographs; Hindu Marriage Act registration usually needs two witnesses plus proof of the religious ceremony.

Last reviewed: 22 September 2026 · 44 min read

Almost every delay we see at Delhi's SDM offices comes down to paperwork, not law. The couple is eligible, the office is willing, but a date of birth does not match, a rent agreement is not registered, or an affidavit has the wrong wording. This article is a document-by-document reference so that your file is right the first time. If you want the overall picture first, read our main article on court marriage in Delhi, and for the order in which things happen, see the step-by-step court marriage process.

Master Checklist: Documents by Route

The documents you need depend on how you are marrying. Find your column and use it as your base list; the sections below explain each item.

Not sure which column is yours? If you are of different religions and neither wants to convert, it is the Special Marriage Act. If both of you are Hindu, Sikh, Jain or Buddhist, the Arya Samaj plus registration route is faster. The comparison is explained in Arya Samaj marriage versus court marriage.

Why Documents Get Rejected in Delhi

Before looking at each document, it helps to understand what the dealing assistant at the SDM office is checking. They are not looking for perfection; they are looking for consistency and proof of four facts: who you are, how old you are, where you live and whether you are free to marry. Most rejections fall into one of these patterns:

1. Inconsistent names. "Pooja Sharma" on one document and "Puja Sharma" on another. To you it is obviously the same person; to an office, it is two different names until an affidavit links them.
2. Inconsistent dates of birth. Aadhaar often carries only a year of birth or a date that was self-declared. When it differs from the Class 10 certificate, the certificate wins, and the difference must be explained.
3. Weak residence proof. An unregistered, notarised-only rent agreement signed last week does not prove 30 days of residence on its own.
4. Unfinished marital history. A divorce decree still within its appeal period, or a widow without the late spouse's death certificate.
5. Poor copies. Blurred scans, cropped edges, missing back sides of Aadhaar, or photocopies that are not self-attested.
6. Wrong affidavit content. Affidavits copied from an internet template that do not mention prohibited relationship or give the wrong Act.

Every section below is written to help you avoid one or more of these.

Age Proof: The Document That Matters Most

The Special Marriage Act and the Hindu Marriage Act both require the groom to be at least 21 and the bride at least 18 on the date of marriage. Because age is a hard legal condition, officers are strict about how it is proved. Think of age proof as a hierarchy.

If you never passed Class 10

Use your birth certificate or passport. If you have neither, you may need to obtain a birth certificate first. If your birth was never registered, delayed registration is possible under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, but it needs supporting evidence and an order from the designated authority, which takes time. Start early. In rare cases, offices accept a school leaving certificate from the last school attended, supported by an affidavit. Ask us before relying on this.

If your age proofs disagree

This is common: the Class 10 certificate says 12 March 2001 and Aadhaar says 1 January 2001. Use the Class 10 certificate as your primary proof and state that date everywhere, including the affidavit. Add a paragraph in the affidavit explaining that the other document carries a different date and that the Class 10 date is correct. If the difference would change eligibility, for example a groom who is 21 on one document and 20 on another, resolve it properly before filing, usually by getting the incorrect document corrected.

If the groom is close to 21

You can file the notice before the birthday, provided the solemnisation date falls on or after the 21st birthday and within three months of the notice. The age proof you submit will be checked against the solemnisation date. We explain the age rules in more depth in legal marriage age in India.

Identity Proof

Identity proof answers a simple question: is this person really who they say they are? Most couples use Aadhaar, but any government-issued photo ID works.

• Aadhaar card: the most commonly used. Upload both sides, and make sure the photograph is recognisable. Masked Aadhaar is fine for many purposes, but bring the full card to the office.
• Passport: the strongest single identity document; also proves age and nationality.
• Voter ID (EPIC): accepted, and useful as address proof too.
• PAN card: accepted as identity proof; carries no address.
• Driving licence: accepted in most offices.

The most important rule is that the name on the identity proof must match the name on the age proof. If one says "Mohd. Arif" and the other "Mohammad Arif", deal with it in the affidavit or use a document where the name matches exactly.

Address Proof and the 30-Day Residence Rule

Under Section 5 of the Special Marriage Act, notice is given in the district where at least one partner has lived for at least 30 days immediately before the notice. Your address proof must therefore show two things: that you live in that sub-division, and that you have lived there for at least 30 days. The Delhi Revenue Department's own guidance mentions evidence such as a ration card or a police report for the 30-day residence; in practice, a range of documents is accepted.

If you live with relatives or in someone else's house

Many couples live in a house owned by a relative or a friend. In that case, bring a short letter from the owner confirming that you have lived there since a particular date, with a copy of the owner's ID and a recent utility bill for the property. Some offices also accept your own Aadhaar at that address in combination with the owner's letter.

If you have recently moved

If you moved less than 30 days ago, your new address does not qualify yet. Either wait until 30 days have passed, or apply through your partner's address if theirs qualifies. Do not backdate a rent agreement; officers see this often and it can create serious trouble.

If your partner lives outside Delhi

That is fine as long as one of you qualifies in Delhi. A copy of the notice may be sent to the Marriage Officer of the district where the other partner permanently lives. Your partner still needs their own identity and age proof, and an address proof for their own address.

Photographs: Small Detail, Common Problem

• Size: standard Indian passport size, 35 mm by 45 mm, with the face clearly visible.
• Background: plain white or light.
• Recency: taken within the last few months; the officer must be able to recognise you.
• Quantity: keep six per partner and two per witness. Some offices want a joint photograph of the couple as well.
• Digital copies: keep JPEGs for the online upload, cropped to the portal's specifications.
• For Hindu Marriage Act registration: add two or three clear photographs of the wedding ceremony showing both partners, ideally at the havan or during the pheras.

Affidavits: What They Must Say, with Specimen Wording

The affidavit is where most home-made files go wrong, because people copy templates written for another state, another Act or another purpose. An affidavit is a sworn statement: if it is false, the person making it can be prosecuted. So it must be accurate, specific and signed by the right person.

The specimens below are illustrative drafts to show the structure and content. Your office may prefer its own format, so treat them as a checklist of what to cover rather than a form to copy blindly.

Specimen 1: Individual affidavit of a partner (Special Marriage Act)

Specimen 2: Joint affidavit for Hindu Marriage Act registration

For registration of a marriage already performed, offices usually want a joint affidavit from husband and wife covering:

1. Names, parentage, dates of birth and addresses of both.
2. That their marriage was solemnised on [date] at [Arya Samaj mandir / place] according to Hindu (Vedic) rites and ceremonies, including saptapadi.
3. That both are Hindus (or Sikh, Jain or Buddhist) by religion; where one partner converted, details of the Shuddhi.
4. That at the time of marriage the husband had completed 21 years and the wife 18 years.
5. That neither had a living spouse at the time of marriage.
6. That they are not within the degrees of prohibited relationship and not sapindas of each other, unless custom permits.
7. That they are living together as husband and wife since the marriage.
8. That the marriage has not been registered anywhere else.

Specimen 3: Name or date variation affidavit

Used when the same person's name or date of birth appears differently in two documents. It states the two variants, identifies the documents in which each appears, affirms that they refer to the same person, and states which one is correct. It is often combined into the main affidavit as an extra paragraph, which keeps the file shorter.

Common affidavit mistakes

• Using the wrong Act (for example, a Hindu Marriage Act format for a Special Marriage Act notice).
• Leaving out the prohibited relationship paragraph.
• Stating a date of birth that differs from the age proof.
• Describing a divorcee as "unmarried".
• Unsigned pages, missing verification clause or no notary stamp on each page.
• Using an affidavit signed months ago; many offices prefer recent affidavits.

Stamp Paper, Notary and Self-Attestation

Stamp paper

Affidavits in Delhi are normally executed on non-judicial stamp paper or e-stamp paper of the value required for an affidavit, which is a small amount. E-stamp certificates are issued through authorised collection centres. Ask the vendor for an affidavit stamp and make sure the first party's name is correct, because a stamp in the wrong name may have to be bought again.

Notary or oath commissioner

The affidavit is sworn before a notary public or an oath commissioner, who signs and stamps it. The deponent must appear personally and carry original ID. Notary fees are modest, usually a few hundred rupees at most per affidavit. Make sure the notary's stamp appears on each page, or at least that each page is signed and the last page carries the notarial endorsement.

Self-attestation of photocopies

Every photocopy you submit should be self-attested: sign across the copy, write "self-attested" and the date. Do not sign over the photograph or key details. Witnesses self-attest their own ID copies. Self-attestation replaced the older requirement of gazetted-officer attestation for most purposes, although some Delhi guidance for Hindu Marriage Act registration still refers to attestation, so carry originals in case the office wants to verify.

Scanning and Upload Rules for the e-District Portal

The portal will reject files that are too large or in the wrong format, and the office may return an application whose scans cannot be read. A few simple rules solve both problems.

• Format: PDF for documents, JPEG for photographs, unless the portal specifies otherwise.
• Size: check the maximum size shown next to each upload field; compress large PDFs, but keep text readable when zoomed.
• Completeness: scan both sides of Aadhaar and all pages of the affidavit and rent agreement.
• Colour and clarity: colour scans at a resolution where small print is legible; avoid phone photos taken at an angle or in shadow.
• Naming: name files clearly, for example "groom-age-class10.pdf" and "bride-address-rent-agreement.pdf".
• One document per file: do not merge unrelated documents into one PDF unless the portal asks for it.

If you are applying yourself, our article on court marriage registration online in Delhi covers common portal errors.

A Seven-Day Plan to Get Every Document Ready

Most couples can have a complete, clean file within a week if they work in the right order. Here is the sequence we give our clients.

If a document from another authority, such as a foreign embassy's single-status certificate, will take longer than a week, start it on day one and plan the filing date around it.

Worked Examples: Four Couples, Four Document Sets

These are composite examples that reflect the situations we see most. They show how the same base list changes with circumstances.

Example 1: First marriage, both living in Delhi, same religion, in a hurry

A Hindu couple, both working in Delhi, want a government certificate within a week. They choose an Arya Samaj ceremony followed by Hindu Marriage Act registration. Their file contains: both Class 10 certificates, both Aadhaar cards, the bride's registered rent agreement with an electricity bill, twelve photographs, individual affidavits for the mandir, a joint affidavit for registration, the mandir certificate and three ceremony photographs, and two witnesses' Aadhaar cards with photographs. Because every name matches, their file is checked in minutes.

Example 2: Inter-religion couple, one partner from another state

A Hindu bride living in Laxmi Nagar and a Muslim groom whose home is in Lucknow marry under the Special Marriage Act. The bride provides the 30-day Delhi residence through her voter ID and a water bill. The groom provides his passport (age and identity) and his Lucknow Aadhaar (address). Each gives an individual affidavit. The groom's Class 10 certificate spells his name "Mohd." while his passport says "Mohammad", so his affidavit includes a name-variation paragraph. On solemnisation day they bring three witnesses with original IDs.

Example 3: Divorced groom, first-time bride

The groom's divorce by mutual consent was granted four months ago. His file includes a certified copy of the decree, and his affidavit describes him as divorced with the court, case number and date. The bride's file is standard. Because the divorce is final, the office has no reason to hold the application, and the notice is published on the day of verification.

Example 4: Indian bride, British groom

The bride has lived in Dwarka for years; the groom is visiting on a valid Indian visa. The groom brings his passport, visa and a certificate of no impediment from his embassy, obtained before travelling. The bride's residence satisfies the 30-day rule. After the marriage, they obtain an apostille on the certificate for the UK spouse visa. The main planning point was timing: the embassy certificate had to be ready before the notice was filed.

How the SDM Office Verifies Each Document

Knowing what the dealing assistant does with each paper makes it easier to prepare it properly.

• Age proof: they compare the date of birth with the online form and the affidavit, and calculate the age on the proposed marriage date.
• Identity proof: they match the photograph with the person in front of them and the name with the age proof.
• Address proof: they check that the address falls within their sub-division and that the proof shows at least 30 days of residence.
• Affidavit: they read the marital status and prohibited-relationship paragraphs and check the notarial attestation.
• Divorce decree or death certificate: they check it is a certified or official copy and that the dates make sense.
• Foreign documents: they check passport, visa validity and the single-status certificate, and whether translations or apostilles are needed.
• Witness IDs: on solemnisation day, they match each witness to their original ID and record the details.

Originals are shown and returned; the office keeps the self-attested copies. Never hand over an original unless the office specifically asks to retain it and gives you a receipt.

Keeping Your Documents Safe and Private

Marriage files contain the most sensitive identity documents you own. A little care protects you from misuse.

• Write the purpose and date across photocopies you hand over, for example "For marriage notice, SDM office, 5 October 2026". It makes misuse harder.
• Share scans only with people you trust, and only through channels you control.
• Use masked Aadhaar copies where the portal or office accepts them, and carry the full card for verification.
• Delete scans from shared computers at cyber cafés after uploading.
• Keep the originals of your marriage certificate and key documents in one safe place, with digital backups in secure cloud storage.
• If your family opposes the marriage, keep your originals with you rather than at the family home, and store copies with a trusted friend.

Why the Law Asks for Each Document

Every document in your file exists to prove one of the legal conditions for marriage. Seeing the link makes it obvious why no item can be skipped.

Online Form Entries That Clash with Documents

Even with perfect documents, the online form can create a mismatch. Watch these fields in particular:

• Name order: if your certificate says "Kumar Rahul" style ordering or includes a middle name, enter it the same way.
• Father's name: use the exact form shown on your age proof, including initials.
• Date format: the portal may use day-month-year; entering month-day-year by habit changes your age.
• Residence period: the "residing since" date must match your rent agreement or other proof.
• Marital status: choose divorced or widowed where applicable, never "unmarried" as a shortcut.
• Sub-division: must be the one covering the address on the uploaded proof.

Before pressing submit, print or screenshot the form preview and compare it line by line with your name-and-date sheet.

Couples Who Are Distantly Related

Where partners are related in some way, the prohibited-relationship paragraph of the affidavit becomes important. Both Acts list close relationships in which marriage is not allowed. The Hindu Marriage Act additionally bars sapinda relationships (within a set number of generations through the father's or mother's line), but both Acts recognise an exception where a custom or usage governing both partners permits the marriage. If you are cousins or otherwise related, take advice before filing. If you rely on a custom, the office may ask for evidence of it, such as affidavits from community elders, and a vague claim is unlikely to be accepted.

Getting Missing Documents Quickly

A missing document does not always mean a long delay. Several of the most-used documents can be obtained online in a day or two.

• Class 10 marksheet or certificate: CBSE and many state boards issue digital marksheets and certificates through DigiLocker. Documents issued into DigiLocker by the issuing authority are treated as valid under the Information Technology rules, and many offices accept a printout, although you should carry the digital copy on your phone for verification. Duplicate physical copies can be requested from the board if needed.
• Aadhaar: the e-Aadhaar PDF can be downloaded from the UIDAI website at any time, and a masked version is available.
• Birth certificate: for births registered in Delhi, copies can usually be obtained from the civic body where the birth was registered; many can be downloaded online if your registration number is known.
• Stamp paper: e-stamp certificates are issued on the same day at authorised centres.
• Divorce decree: a certified copy is obtained from the court's copying section; urgent copies are available for an extra fee in many courts.
• Passport photographs: any studio can print these within the hour.

The slow items are almost always those from outside India, such as a foreign embassy's single-status certificate or an apostilled foreign divorce decree. Start those first.

Extra Documents by Situation

The base list covers a first marriage between two Indian citizens living in Delhi. If any of the following applies to you, add the documents listed.

Divorced partner

• Certified copy of the final divorce decree from the court (not a photocopy of an unsigned order).
• Where available, a certificate or court record showing no appeal is pending, or the order dismissing any appeal.
• For a foreign divorce: the decree with an apostille or embassy attestation, and a translation if it is not in English.
• The affidavit must describe the partner as divorced, with the decree details.

Widow or widower

• Death certificate of the late spouse.
• Where the name on the death certificate differs from your records, a linking document such as the earlier marriage certificate.
• Affidavit stating widowed status and the date of the spouse's death.

Foreign national

• Valid passport and a valid Indian visa.
• Certificate of no impediment, single-status certificate or equivalent from their embassy or home authority.
• Birth certificate if the office asks, with apostille and translation where needed.
• Divorce decree or death certificate of a former spouse, apostilled, if applicable.
• Address proof in India, such as a hotel or rental registration, where relevant.

NRI with an Indian passport

• Indian passport, and proof of overseas address if the partner lives abroad.
• Where the NRI partner is the one claiming 30 days of Delhi residence, strong proof of that stay.
• Some embassies need an Indian single-status or unmarried certificate for their own purposes; plan it with the visa process in mind.

More on NRI paperwork is in NRI marriage in India and NRI marriage apostille and embassy requirements.

Partner who converted by Shuddhi (HMA route)

• Shuddhi or conversion certificate issued by the Arya Samaj.
• An affidavit of voluntary conversion.
• Updated name documents if the name was changed; otherwise the old name linked through an affidavit.

Read Shuddhi Sanskar before marriage before choosing this route. If you do not want to convert, the Special Marriage Act needs no conversion document at all.

Name changed after Class 10

• Gazette notification of the name change, or a name-change affidavit supported by a newspaper publication.
• Documents in both the old and new names so that the link is clear.

Government employees and service personnel

• Not required by the SDM, but check whether your department or service needs intimation or permission, particularly if marrying a foreign national.
• Service ID can be used as supporting identity proof in some offices.

Witness Documents

Witnesses are needed on the day of solemnisation (Special Marriage Act) or registration (Hindu Marriage Act). Each witness should carry:

• An original photo ID with address: Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence.
• One self-attested photocopy of that ID.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• PAN card, which some offices ask for as additional identification.

Witnesses must be people who genuinely know you and actually attended; we do not provide witnesses, so please bring friends, colleagues or relatives. Three witnesses are needed under the Special Marriage Act; most offices want two for Hindu Marriage Act registration. Witnesses do not need to be relatives or from your religion, and they do not need any document about you. Full rules are in our article on court marriage witness requirements.

Documents for Arya Samaj Marriage and HMA Registration

At the Arya Samaj mandir (before the ceremony)

• Age proof and identity proof of both partners.
• Address proof of both partners.
• Passport photographs of each partner.
• Affidavits as required by the mandir (age, marital status, religion and free consent).
• Two witnesses with ID.
• For a non-Hindu partner, Shuddhi is done before the wedding and its certificate issued.

At the SDM office (for registration)

• Arya Samaj marriage certificate.
• Photographs of the ceremony.
• Wedding invitation card, if printed.
• Age, identity and address proofs of both.
• Joint affidavit about the marriage.
• Witnesses with ID and photographs.

Our Arya Samaj marriage service prepares both sets together, so you do not repeat work, and the marriage registration service covers the SDM side. For timing, see same-day marriage registration and Tatkal marriage certificate.

Documents You Do Not Need

Some couples arrive with folders full of papers the law does not ask for, and some delay their marriage trying to obtain them. You do not need:

• Parents' consent letter or parents' signatures (adults marry of their own will).
• Parents' presence on the day.
• A caste certificate (only needed later if you apply for an inter-caste incentive scheme).
• A horoscope or kundli.
• A medical certificate, except in unusual situations where capacity is in question.
• Income proof or salary slips.
• A newspaper advertisement of your marriage.
• A religious conversion certificate for a Special Marriage Act marriage.

Document Problems and How to Fix Them

Documents You Will Need After the Marriage

• Passport update (spouse's name or surname change): marriage certificate, existing passport, and a joint photograph or affidavit if the passport office asks.
• Aadhaar update: marriage certificate for a surname change, plus address proof if moving.
• Spouse visa: marriage certificate with apostille or embassy attestation, and the documents the destination country lists.
• Bank and insurance nominations: marriage certificate and KYC.
• Inter-caste incentive schemes: registered marriage certificate, caste certificate of the eligible spouse, bank details and the scheme's application form.

For certified copies, corrections and apostille, see our marriage certificate service and marriage certificate apostille for visa.

Printable Checklist

Each partner

• ☐ Age proof (Class 10 / birth certificate / passport), original + self-attested copy
• ☐ Identity proof (Aadhaar both sides / passport / voter ID), original + copy
• ☐ Delhi address proof showing 30 days (for at least one partner), original + copy
• ☐ Six passport-size photographs
• ☐ Notarised affidavit on stamp paper, every page signed
• ☐ Divorce decree or late spouse's death certificate (if applicable)
• ☐ Passport, visa and single-status certificate (foreign partner)

Each witness

• ☐ Original photo ID with address + self-attested copy
• ☐ Two passport-size photographs
• ☐ PAN card (carry if available)

Hindu Marriage Act registration extras

• ☐ Arya Samaj or religious marriage certificate
• ☐ Two or three ceremony photographs
• ☐ Invitation card (if any)
• ☐ Joint affidavit

Paperwork for the office

• ☐ Printed online acknowledgement and fee receipt
• ☐ File arranged: residence → identity → age → affidavits → special documents

The same list is available on our documents page. For costs, see court marriage fees in Delhi and our fees page.

How We Check Your Documents

Most couples who come to us already have 90 per cent of what they need. Our job is to find the other 10 per cent before the office does. We read every document against every other one, draft affidavits for your exact situation, flag anything that could be questioned, and tell you in writing what to bring on each visit. If something is genuinely missing, we tell you the quickest lawful way to get it. The first document review by phone or WhatsApp is free.

Questions and Answers About Court Marriage Documents 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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