NEW DELHI: Even though registration of marriage is compulsory, only a handful of couples get it registered in the capital. According to a revenue department report, of the 62,811 applications received in the last three years (from October 1, 2019 to August 31, 2022), 56,918 marriages were registered. Experts, however, believe the actual number of ceremonies during this period was no less than five lakh. In comparison, 60,304 marriages were registered between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018, while 19,254 marriages were registered between January 1, 2019 and September 30, 2019. Marriage registration is compulsory under Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014 in compliance with a Supreme Court order of 2006. Experts said registration of marriages was still considered a process to obtain a certificate required for obtaining a visa and getting the name of spouses added in the passport. Also, while registration of marriage is compulsory under Hindu Marriage Act, people who follow personal laws don’t get it documented. “As marriage under Hindu law is a ritual, its registration is mandatory under Section 8 of Hindu Marriage Act. But in some communities, such as Muslims, who practice personal law, marriages are documented by itself. That’s why the number of marriage registrations is less than the weddings taking place,” said Namita Roy, a Delhi-based lawyer. Roy added, “The government has now made it stringent and started imposing a penalty if there is a delay beyond the stipulated time.” Data compiled by the revenue department stated that of the 56,918 registered in the past 35 months, most were under Hindu Marriage Act (32,943), followed by Compulsory Marriage Order (19,809), Anand Act (2,436) and Special Marriage Act (1,730). Sikh marriages are registered under Anand Act, while brides and grooms of different faiths get registered under Special Marriage Act, apart from court marriages. Sources said under Compulsory Marriage Order, the application has to be submitted within 60 days. These are opted for by couples who have to apply for spouse visa and travel abroad together for work. Officials said couples could apply for marriage registration online on the e-district portal or use the doorstep delivery of services. South West district (9122) saw the highest number of marriage registrations between October 1, 2019 and August 31, 2022, followed by Shahdara (8,157) and North West (6,712). North East (918) district holds the dubious distinction of registering the least number of marriages, followed by New Delhi (3,437) and Central (3,616) districts. Interestingly, there were zero applications and registration of marriages under Compulsory Marriage Order in North West, New Delhi and West districts. Vrinda Kapoor, a Delhi-based lawyer, said registration of marriage was now mandatory for various day-to-day things, including applying for passport and visa, changing surname after marriage, opening a joint bank account, among others.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/at-57000-not-even-a-10th-of-marriages-registered-in-delhi-in-last-three-years/articleshow/94608627.cms
