The Meghalaya Compulsory Registration Marriages Act, 2012
The Meghalaya Compulsory Registration Marriages Act, 2012
The Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, 2012, mandates the official registration of all marriages and cohabiting relationships within the state of Meghalaya. It applies to everyone marrying in the state, regardless of their caste, tribe, religion, or the personal laws under which they marry. Within sixty days of marriage, couples must submit a signed memorandum to a local registrar to obtain an official certificate. This law matters because this registration certificate is now required for all official government purposes and serves as conclusive proof of marriage, while failing to register carries legal penalties like fines and imprisonment.
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement
- 2. Definitions.
- 3. Every Marriage in the state to be registered
- 3A. Special for marriages under various personal laws
- 3B. Application of the provision of this Act
- 4. Appointment of Registrars of Marriages
- 5. Memorandum of Marriage.
- 6. Memorandum of marriage submitted after 30 days
- 7. Marriage certification to be given to the couple.
- 8. Registrar to keep registers in the prescribed form.
- 9. Search of Register.
- 10. Register to be open for public inspection.
- 11. Registrar to send periodical returns to the registrar general for compilation.
- 12. Non-registration not to invalidate marriage.
- 13. Penalty for failing to register a Marriage.
- 14. Penalty for neglecting to comply with the provisions of section 4, 5 and 6 or for making false statement in memorandum.
- 15. Penalty for secreting, destroying or altering Register.
- 16. Offences under this Act summarily triable by a Magistrate
- 17. Cognizance of offence under the Act.
- 18. Registrar to be public servant.
- 19. Protection for action taken in good faith.
- 20. Power to make rules.
- 21. Application No Provisions not to be derogatory to certain laws.
PDF: pending for this language.