Chapter III REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGES

(1) After the commencement of this Act, it shall be compulsory for all citizen residing in Jharkhand, whose marriage has been solemnised in the jurisdiction of a particular Marriage Registrar or if the marriage is solemnised outside the jurisdiction of Marriage Registrar but either of the parties of marriage is a resident of the particular Marriage Registrar jurisdiction, to get their marriage registered before the office of that Marriage Registrar. (2) Provided that in case of any marriage, where one of the parties is non-resident Indian or foreign national, it shall be mandatory for such parties to disclose and mention in writing, his/her passport number, name of country from which it has been issued and its period of validity, besides his/her permanent residential/official address in the country of current overseas abode and his/her valid, present social security number or any such similar other identification proof officially issued by the country of foreign abode, which information shall be entered in the certificate of marriage as also in the marriage register. (3) Provided that a marriage registered under any other enactment relating to registration of marriage for the time being in force, need not be registered under this Act. Provided further that nothing contained in any other Act or law shall preclude the parties to a marriage from registering their marriage under the provisions of this Act. (4) It shall be a duty of both the parties to the marriage to take all necessary steps for compulsory registration of marriage.

For registration of marriage, it shall be mandatory to fulfill the following conditions: (i) The age of the groom is minimum 21 years and the age of the bride is minimum 18 years. (ii) None of the two parties have a living husband or wife, unless such is provided in the concerned Personal Law of the parties. (iii) Neither of the two parties is insane or mentally unbalanced. (iv) There are no prohibited relationships between the two parties. (v) One of the two parties is an Indian citizen and is a resident within the jurisdiction of the concerned Marriage Registrar or the marriage has been solemnized in that specific area. For the registration of marriage the following conditions need to be fulfilled:- (i) The bride must have completed 18 years of age and bride groom 21 years. (ii) Neither party should have a spouse living, unless specifically provisioned in the personal law of the party. (iii) Neither of them should be mentally insane or lunatic (iv) Neither parties should be within degree of prohibited relationship (v) Neither of them should be incapable of giving a valid consent to it in consequence of unsoundness of mind (vi) Either of the parties must be a citizen of India and a resident of the jurisdiction of concerned marriage officer or the marriage should have been solemnized in that jurisdiction.

(i) For compulsory registration of marriage, all applications shall be sent through online process or in the prescribed format under Form-I of the Appendix to the Marriage Registrar of the specified jurisdiction. The date and time for the personal appearance of the parties and witnesses can also be fixed online. (ii) For this purpose, the online application shall be filled by the parties to the marriage in which the name, photo, age, residence, occupation, date of marriage, place of marriage, Aadhar number, mobile number of the parties and such other necessary description as the department may ask, will be described. (iii) In rural areas, a certificate shall be attached with the application from the level of the local Mukhiya, Sarpanch, any Gazetted Officer or such other person as the State Government may authorize, in which it will be described that "I certify that the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. ........................................................... has been solemnized on such and such date". In urban areas, the parties to the marriage shall attach a certificate from the level of Ward Commissioner, any Gazetted Officer or other such person as the State Government may authorize, in which it will be described that "I certify that the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. ................................................................. has been solemnized on such and such date". (iv) With the online application, the above-described certificate, photo of the marriage of the groom and bride, invitation card or marriage certificate issued by Pandit/Kazi etc., age certificate, residence certificate, Aadhar card and such other documents as the department desires shall be uploaded. (v) Along with the application, the fees/late fees etc. fixed by the State Government shall also be deposited through online process. (vi) With the successful submission of the application, an ID number shall be generated and the applicant will be able to know the status of his application through the said ID. (vii) The Marriage Registrar shall be able to check the online received application through his user ID and password and if any error appears in the application, he will inform the party online for correction within one month of receipt of the application. If any objection is received regarding marriage registration, the Marriage Registrar will also inform the applicant about it online. (viii) If after one month the party does not receive any information regarding error correction or any objection related to marriage registration, both the parties shall appear in the office of the concerned Marriage Registrar for marriage registration. (ix) In the office of the Marriage Registrar, the applicant's age, residence, identity, certificate received from Mukhiya/Ward Commissioner shall be checked. In case of all documents being appropriate, the photo of both the parties and three witnesses shall be taken and the marriage certificate shall be issued online by the Marriage Registrar, which the parties can download. (x) The Marriage Registrar shall attempt to inform the parties to the marriage and witnesses through telephone, SMS, e-mail or other alternative media to be present on the pre-fixed time and date, which shall be issued at least one day in advance. (xi) In the alternative form of online application, the applicant can give an application before the Registrar in hard copy along with all documents, certificates (which are described in section 12(iv)). All fees related to the Marriage Registrar can be paid online. (xii) Application can also be made by the applicants through Common Service Centers or other agencies authorized by the Government. (xiii) The check of the application received in the prescribed format and all required documents shall be done by the Registrar. After being satisfied regarding the authenticity of all documents, the marriage shall be registered by the Registrar and its entry shall be made in the register fixed in Form-III. (xiv) In case of marriage with a Non-Resident Indian or a party residing abroad, information regarding that person shall be obtained by the Registrar from the concerned Embassy. (xv) In case of giving an offline application, the application shall be submitted by the applicants in the prescribed format in duplicate within one year of the solemnization of marriage. The Marriage Registrar [Text ends abruptly] (12)(xvi) 3ववाह 4नबंधन हेतु ^यि_तगत उपिOथ4त के समय पMकारU वारा 4न5नांCकत माण Oतुत Cकये जाएगH%- (क) 3ववाह के कम-से-कम दो फोटो एवं 3ववाह से संबं0धत आमंRण-पR अथवा पंuडत/काजी आ:द वारा 4नग,त 3ववाह माण-पR (ख) प4त एवं पZनी का एक साथ तीन फोटो िजनमH दो 3ववाह माण-पR मH तथा एक काया,लय अ भलेख मH साटे जाएगH। (ग) धारा 12 (iii) एवं (iv) मH व6ण,त दOतावेज/ माण-पR। (i) In the office of Marriage Registrar, all documents, regarding applicant’s age, dwelling place, identity Certificate from the level of Mukhiya/Ward Commissioner, etc. will be examined. If the Registrar of Marriages finds everything proper, the photograph of the applicants along with 3 witnesses will be captured and the certificate of marriage will be generated online by the Registrar of Marriages. The applicant will be able to download the certificate of marriage issued by the Registrar of Marriage. (j) Each office of the Registrar would endeavour to provide a prior appointment on a designated date and time for the personal appearance of the applicant along with the witnesses either telephonically, through a text message (sms), email or other alternative means giving no less than one day advance notice to the applicant. (k) The applicant would have the choice of adopting a paper based process wherein the prescribed application and other proofs as mentioned in 12 (C)(D) may be submitted to the Registrar in paper form. The payment of all fees shall be made online at the time of submission of application at the treasury or such authorized service outlets. (l) The applicant would be able to submit the application through the Common Service Centers, or other service outlets authorized/ notified by the government. (m) Registrar shall receive and scrutinize application in Form-I for registration of marriages and ensure that all the documents required (as detailed in Form-I) with the application have been received. On being satisfied with the genuineness of the documents submitted, the Registrar shall register the marriage by making entry in the prescribed register as per Form-II. (n) In case of marriage of any indian citizen solemnized in india with a person of foreign domicile the Registrar shall verify such domiciliary status from the embassy of the country of which he/she claims to be citizen. (o) For offline Marriage the parties to a marriage shall prepare and sign memorandum on prescribed form and deliver the same in duplicate to the Registrar of the area concerned within a period of 1 Year from the date of marriage, who will publish it on the notice board of office so that if any one of has objection, he could lodge it. (p) At the time of personal appearance the following documents are required as proof of marriage: (a) At least two wedding photos, wedding card or certificate from religious institution or priest who solemnized the wedding or Nikah Naama or Certificate from Anand Karaj in Gurudwara's. (b) Three Joint photos of husband and wife (3 inch x 2 inch photographs i.e. two for marriage certificate and one for office record). (c) The documents/certificates mentioned in para 12(c)(d).

(13) दOतावेजU क> जांचोपरांत संतुdट होने के उपरांत तथा Cकसी कार क> आपिZत नह2ं होने के िOथ4त मH 3ववाह का 4नबंधन Cकया जाएगा तथा पR-ii मH उसक> 3वdट Cक> जाएगी। (क) 3ववाह 4नबंधक वारा इस संबंध मH पMकारU को अTय आवnयक दOतावेज को Oतुत करने हेतु कहा जा सकेगा िजससे आवेदन मH व6ण,त तwयU/पMकारU या गवाहU क> पहचान सZया3पत हो सके। (ख) इस संबंध मH 3ववाह 4नबंधक वारा पMकारU के आवासीय थाना MेR के थाना से भी सूचना माँगी जा सकेगी। Where on scrutiny of the documents, the Registrar concerned is satisfied that there is no objection to registering the marriage, he shall register the same within the period as may be prescribed by making an entry in the register, as at Form-II. (a) Registrar may call upon the parties to produce such further information of documents as deemed necessary, for establishing the identity of the parties and the witnesses or correctness of the information or documents presented to him: or (b) If deemed necessary, he may also refer the papers to the local police station within whose jurisdiction the parties reside, for verification.

(14) CकTतु जब सम3प,त दOतावेजU क> जांच अथवा अTय माWयम से 4नबंधक को यह 3वnवास हो Cक- (क) पMकारU का 3ववाह पMकारU के Oवधम,शाOR के अनुसार संपा:दत नह2ं हुआ है या (ख) पMकारU क> पहचान, गवाहU क> पहचान अथवा 3ववाह का संपादन शंकार:हत Jप से संपा:दत नह2ं हुआ है या (ग) Oतुत दOतावेज पMकारU क> वैवा:हक िOथ4त को मा6णत न करता हो तो Whereas the Registrar before whom the memorandum/application form is presented, on scrutiny of the documents submitted with the application or, on the other facts noticed or brought to his notice, has reason to believe that - (a) The marriage between the parties is not performed in accordance with the Personal law of the parties: or (b) The identity of the parties of the witnesses or the persons testifying the identity of the parties and the solemnization of the marriage is not established beyond reasonable doubt; or (c) The documents tendered before him do not prove the marital status of the parties.

The Registrar, after hearing the parties, refuse to register the marriage if it is not fit for registration and after recording the reasons in writing, in such event, the registrar shall send the duplicate copy thereof to the Chief Registrar of Marriage.

Registrar shall register only those marriages for which the applicants fulfil all the conditions as stated above and the application for registration is presented within the stipulated period of one year from the date of marriage.

The Registrar shall issue two copies of the marriage registration certificate in Form IV, free of cost to the couple under his hand and seal.

The Registrar shall send an annual report to the Chief Registrar of Marriage, for each calendar year, by the 15th of January of the subsequent year.

(i) All records of online application, queries raised by the marriage registrar, all objections regarding marriage, all marriage certificates shall be preserved digitally while the records of offline application will be maintained in hard copy. (ii) At the time of issuing marriage certificate index relating to it having the particulars such as the name of both parties, address date of marriage registration etc. will be generated online. Parties to marriage will be permitted to search & inspect, on payment of cost prescribed in rules these indexes and obtain certified copy of marriage certificate online paying the required fees fixed by the State Government. Every other person will be permitted to view and inspect these index and obtain certificate from registrar of marriage subject to permission granted by registrar of marriage. The marriage registrar shall grant permission on finding that it is being used for genuine and reasonable purposes.

(i) Any person who wants to lodge an objection regarding the registration of marriage will be required to submit online a written complaint before the Registrar of Marriage along with an affidavit regarding the genuineness of his objection. (ii) This objection can be lodged within 15 days of the submission of marriage application along with the prescribed fee, if any. (iii) The Registrar Marriage will examine the objection and pass order within reasonable time.

The registration of marriage under this Act shall not be a proof of the validity of marriage under any law. It shall only be proof of registration of marriage.

After the commencement of this Act, it shall be compulsory for all people mentioned in section 10, to get their marriage registered in the office of Marriage Registrar of that particular jurisdiction, within one year of the solemnisation of marriage. But for those couple who have got their marriage registered under any other Act such as Special Marriage Act, 1954, Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Anand Vivah Act, 1909, Kazi Act, 1880, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, or any other Act for the time being in force, or marriage solemnized before commencement of this Act, the registration of marriage under this Act will be only optional and not compulsory.

(i) A penalty of Rs. 5 per day, subject to a maximum of Rs. 100 will be levied from the parties at the time of marriage registration, in case of non registration of marriage with in time without reasonable cause. The Marriage Registrar may remit the fine on proper cause being shown. (ii) Any person who makes a false statement regarding his marriage or other details shall be punished which may extend upto Rs. 5000. (iii) Making baseless and false objection about the registration of marriage shall also attract a penalty of Rs. 5000. (iv) All Registrar of Marriages, who fail to register marriage without proper reason will be liable of departmental proceeding under their service rule.

(i) All online/offline application for Compulsory Registration of Marriages will be submitted with online payment of Rs. 50 as registration fee (ii) No fee or late fine will be charged from the applicants, if either of the two, or both belong to Below Poverty Line category. (iii) A fee of Rs. 50 to be paid online will be charged for getting the certified copy of a marriage certificate. (iv) For searching the indexes, a fee of Rs. 10 per year will be charged from the applicant.

(25) 3ववाह 4नबंधन माण-पR 3ववाह 4नबंधन का 4नणा,यक माण होगा। (i) 3ववाह 4नबंधन माण-पR, माण-पR मH अंCकत पMकारU के 3ववाह 4नबंधन का 4नणा,यक माण होगा। (ii) इस अ0ध4नयम अTतग,त जार2 3ववाह 4नबंधन माण-पR समाTय Jप से TयायालयU, लोक काया,लयU मH माण-पRU मH अंCकत पMकारU के 3ववाह 4नबंधन का माण माना जाएगा, जबतक Cक उसके 3वपर2त मा6णत न हो। (1) A Certificate of Registration of Marriage shall be conclusive proof of the marriage registration of the parties named in the certificate. (2) A Certificate of Registration of Marriage issued under this Act shall ordinarily be received by any court, government office or public authority as proof of marriage between the persons named therein and the same shall be presumed to be correct, unless the contrary is proved.

(i) All appeals against the order of refusal of marriage registration by the Marriage Registrar shall be made before the Chief Registrar of marriage within one month of the order of refusal. (ii) Appeals against the order of Chief Registrar of marriage will be made before the Registrar General of Marriage, within one month of order.

No marriage performed to which this act applies shall be deemed to be invalid solely by reason of the fact that it was not registered under this Act.

(28) 3ववाह का वैकि पक 4नबंधनः- इस अ0ध4नयम के भावी होने क> 4त0थ के पूव, संपा:दत 3ववाह के पMकार, िजTहUने वत,मान मH लागू अTय Cकसी अ0ध4नयम अTतग,त अपना 3ववाह 4नबं0धत नह2ं कराया है, वह भी इस अ0ध4नयम के ावधानU के अTतग,त अपने 3ववाह का 4नबंधन करा सकH गे।

The provision of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872, Anand Marriage Act 1909, Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Special Marriage Act 1954, Kazi Act 1880, Foreign Marriage Act 1969, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act 1936 or any other custom or personal law relating to marriage.

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall be instituted against any person for anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith under this Act or the rules made there under.

(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government, by notification in the official Gazette, make such orders, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as to appear to it necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty. (2) Every order made under this section, as soon as may be after it is mad be laid before the state legislative while it is in session.

(32) 4नयम बनाने क> शि_तः- इस अ0ध4नयम के ावधानU को CpयािTवत करने के उ{ेnय से रा9य सरकार सरकार2 गजट अ0धसूचना वारा 4नयम बना सकेगी।