Procedure For Court Marriage In Surat

The 1954 Special Marriage Act established the concept of a court marriage. It makes it possible for marriages between people of different castes, nations, or religions to take place through the civil ceremony. Furthermore, it registers and solemnises a marriage at the same time.

Requirements for Court Marriage in Surat

1. No previous marriage: Neither party's first marriage should have included a current spouse. Furthermore, no prior marriage should be recognised.
2. Legitimate Consent: In order for consent to be legitimate, it must come from both parties. Speaking their minds, both partners should willingly engage in this marriage.
3. Age requirements: The lady must be over 18 and the guy must be over 21 in order to be married in a court of law by 2021.
4. Eligible for delivery: In order to produce offspring, both parties must be physically healthy.
5. Relationships that are prohibited: The parties must not be involved in any prohibited relationships. However, this marriage will be legitimate if it is permitted by one's religious traditions.

Advantages of Opting for Court Marriage in Surat

1. Compared to typical marriages in Surat or any other city, which can be extremely expensive, court marriages are less expensive.
2. Court marriages in Surat are also recognised legally, and a marriage certificate issued by the court serves as proof of marriage.
3. A court marriage in Surat is a civil wedding that takes place outside and is unrestricted by tradition or religion. It is available to everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.
4. Court marriages in Surat are intimate, small-scale gatherings with few people and simple décor.

Different Documents Required For Court Marriage In Surat

1. Completed application form
2. Documentation (in the event that the bride or groom is not a citizen) attesting to the couple's stay in the district
3. Certificates of no objection or marital status from the relevant Consulate or Embassy (for non-citizens)
4. Certificate of divorce or death of a spouse (if there have been any prior marriages)

Age proof:

1. Certificate of Secondary Education/Class 10 Certificate
2. Proof of Birth
3. School Leave Certification
4. A civil surgeon's certificate
5. Original Passport

Residence proof:

1. Rent agreement 
2. Voter ID
3. Original Passport
4. Original Driving license
5. Ration card
6. Utility Bill

Proof of Matrimony

1. Invitation of Wedding
2. A photo of the wedding
3. The couple's passport-sized photos (two each)

Documents for witnesses:

1. Aadhar card or a valid photo ID
2. passport-size photos

Procedure For Court Marriage In Surat

Notify the Registrar of Marriage: A marriage application must be sent to the district marriage officer. You may select a district in which one or more of the partners has resided for longer than thirty days. The marriage officer must receive the application thirty days prior to the scheduled court wedding. Both parties must sign the marriage application.

Displaying of the Notice: The notice of your intended marriage will be posted for 30 days by the marriage officer. The marriage officer is required by Section 6 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 to maintain the notice of the intended marriage in a conspicuous location within the marriage office. In addition, all marriage applications must be kept up to date in the "Marriage Notice Book" by the marriage registrar.

Disapproval of the Matrimony: Anyone who objects to this marriage can speak with the marriage officer personally and voice their concerns under Section 7 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The marriage commissioner possesses the authority to look into them and halt the union.

The marriage will be consummated in court with the marriage registrar present if there are no objections to the marriage procedure.

The completion of a Court Marriage: As we already know, traditional marriages and judicial marriages are entirely different from one another. There are no traditions or ceremonies followed throughout a courtship. The marriage declaration form must be signed by both partners in front of the marriage registrar and three witnesses. In this way, both parties' marriages are completed.

Fees For Court Marriage In Surat

In the city of Surat, the marriage officer's office must receive the court marriage fee from the parties. Every state has a different fee for a judicial marriage. The average court marriage price ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000.

FAQ's On Court Marriage In Surat

Q1: What is the minimum age requirement for court marriage in Surat?

A: The minimum age requirement for court marriage in Surat is 18 years for females and 21 years for males.

Q2: What are the documents required for court marriage in Surat?

A: The documents required for court marriage in Surat include the application form, proof of date of birth, proof of residence, affidavits stating marital status, passport-size photos, and ID/address proof of witnesses.

Q3: How to apply for court marriage in Surat?

A: To apply for court marriage in Surat, submit the application form and necessary documents to the district marriage officer where either party resides. The application form can be obtained online or from the marriage officer's office.

Q4: How long does it take to get married in court in Surat?

A: The court marriage process in Surat takes at least 30 days. After submitting the application, a notice of intended marriage is published, inviting objections. If no objections arise within 30 days, the marriage officer solemnizes the marriage and issues a certificate.

Q5: How much does it cost to get married in court in Surat?

A: The court marriage fees in Surat vary, covering application, marriage officer, certificate, and lawyer fees. Approximate costs range from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000.

Q6: What are the benefits of court marriage in Surat?

A: The benefits include being a simple, quick, and economical way of marriage, recognized by law without religious or social ceremonies. It's open to all, providing a legal marriage certificate.

Q7: What are the disadvantages of court marriage in Surat?

A: Disadvantages may include lack of acceptance in some communities, potential social stigma, non-fulfillment of cultural expectations, and incompatibility with personal laws or customs.

Q8: How to get a court marriage certificate in Surat?

A: To obtain a court marriage certificate in Surat, apply to the marriage officer with the original marriage certificate, ID proofs, and the prescribed fee. The officer verifies details and issues the certificate.

Q9: How to change the name after court marriage in Surat?

A: After court marriage, change the name by publishing a name change advertisement, obtaining a name change affidavit, submitting it with necessary documents to the gazette office, obtaining a gazette notification, and updating official documents.