The short answer

What it covers: Marriage registration in Delhi records a marriage that has already been solemnised. A marriage that has not yet taken place is solemnised under the Special Marriage Act instead (a court marriage).
Where: The office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in whose area either spouse lives. If the marriage took place in Delhi but neither spouse lives there, the Deputy Commissioner's office for the area where it was solemnised.
Deadline: Within 60 days of the final ceremony under the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014. Late registration can attract a penalty.
Fee: The fee for marriage registration in Delhi is ₹100, as stated by the Delhi Revenue Department for a marriage already solemnised.
Who attends: Both spouses in person, with the witnesses or officer your SDM office requires.
How long: The Revenue Department says to expect a response normally within 15 days under the Hindu Marriage Act and 60 days under the Special Marriage Act.

Marriage registration in Delhi guide: illustration of a marriage certificate with a verification seal, showing the SDM office, 60-day deadline and ₹100 fee — Marriage registration in Delhi at a glance: SDM office, 60-day deadline and ₹100 fee.

Why marriage registration in Delhi matters

For marriages solemnised in Delhi, registration is a legal duty under the 2014 Order, not an optional formality. The certificate becomes the official record of the marriage and is commonly asked for in passport, visa, name-change, insurance and bank nominee applications.

It also helps to see where registration sits among the other steps. A couple who have not yet married can solemnise their marriage under the Special Marriage Act, and our guide to court marriage in Delhi covers that route. Other legal guides are listed under areas of practice.

Which law applies to marriage registration in Delhi?

Marriage registration in Delhi runs under one of two Acts, and the 2014 Order is what makes registration compulsory for marriages solemnised in Delhi, whatever the religion of the parties.

Route	Who it suits	How it works	Expected time
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955	Both spouses are Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs, or have converted to one of these religions.	Documents are verified on the day you apply. A date is fixed for registration and both spouses appear before the SDM. The certificate is issued the same day.	Response normally within 15 days
Special Marriage Act, 1954 (registration)	Couples who are not covered by the Hindu Marriage Act, for example where one spouse belongs to another religion.	A public notice invites objections. Registration happens 30 days after the notice, once any objection is decided. Both spouses and three witnesses attend.	Up to 60 days
Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014	All marriages solemnised in Delhi, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.	Sets the duty to register within 60 days, the jurisdiction of the marriage officer and the penalty for delay.	Apply within 60 days of the ceremony

Comparison of the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act routes for marriage registration in Delhi, covering who it suits, process, witnesses and time — The two registration routes side by side.

If one spouse is not Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh and you apply under the Hindu Marriage Act, the Revenue Department asks for a conversion certificate from the priest who solemnised the marriage. Couples in that position should compare both routes before filing.

Where to apply for marriage registration in Delhi

The Revenue Department directs applicants to the SDM office in whose jurisdiction either the husband or the wife resides. Counters work on working days, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. according to the Department's FAQ, so confirm timings with your office before travelling.

If the marriage was solemnised in Delhi but the spouses do not live in Delhi, the application goes to the Deputy Commissioner's office for the area where the marriage took place. Under the 2014 Order, the marriage officer of the district where the marriage was solemnised has jurisdiction, and the SDM (Headquarters), Additional District Magistrate and District Magistrate can register any Delhi marriage across all districts.

The 60-day deadline for marriage registration in Delhi

Marriage registration in Delhi under the 2014 Order must be done within 60 days, not counting the day on which the final ceremony took place. A marriage registered after that period can attract a penalty.

The Order allows the Additional District Magistrate or the District Magistrate to remit the penalty, wholly or in part, on an application that explains a reasonable cause for the delay. If they accept it, they direct the marriage officer to register the marriage on payment of the fee and any penalty imposed. A late marriage registration in Delhi application should therefore carry a short, factual explanation of why it was delayed.

Marriage registration in Delhi: step-by-step process

Choose the route and the office.Decide between the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act, then identify the SDM office using the residence rules above.
Apply through the e-District portal or at the office.Delhi's e-District portal (edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in) is the official route for online submission and appointments. Application forms for each Act are also available on the Revenue Department website. The form must be signed by both spouses.
Prepare the documents and affidavits.Each spouse gives a separate affidavit in the prescribed format. Photographs and identification need attestation as described in the document list below.
Pay the fee and keep the receipt.The fee is paid to the Marriage Clerk and the receipt is attached to the application.
Attend verification with original documents.Online submission does not replace attendance. A District Magistrate office guideline says the bride and groom, with two witnesses and their ID proofs, must be physically present on the appointment date.
Receive the certificate.Under the Hindu Marriage Act the certificate is issued on the day of registration. Under the Special Marriage Act it follows the 30-day notice period.

Marriage registration in Delhi step by step: choose the route, apply, prepare documents, pay the fee, attend verification and receive the certificate — The six steps of marriage registration in Delhi.

The Revenue Department FAQ describes a Gazetted Officer who attended the marriage appearing with the spouses under the Hindu Marriage Act, while some district guidelines refer to two witnesses with ID proofs. Requirements can differ between offices, so ask your SDM office which applies to you.

Documents required for marriage registration in Delhi

This list follows the Delhi Revenue Department's FAQ for registration of a marriage already solemnised. The fee is ₹100, paid to the Marriage Clerk. Aadhaar is not compulsory: if you do not have it, one identity proof such as a Voter ID, driving licence, passport or PAN card is accepted.

For every application

Application form signed by both husband and wife, with the fee receipt attached.
Self-attested proof of date of birth of both spouses: matriculation certificate, passport or birth certificate.
Self-attested residence proof of both: Voter ID, ration card, driving licence, passport or similar.
Separate affidavits from husband and wife stating date and place of marriage, date of birth, marital status at the time of marriage, no prohibited relationship, and citizenship.
Two passport-size photographs of each spouse, and ceremonial photographs, attested by a government officer or a PAN holder.
Self-attested wedding invitation card, if available.

Only if your situation requires it

Attested divorce decree or order, where a spouse was divorced.
Death certificate of the former spouse, for a widow or widower.
Certificate from the priest, where the marriage took place at a religious place.
Conversion certificate from the priest, where one spouse is not Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh and you apply under the Hindu Marriage Act.
Certificate from the concerned Embassy on present marital status, for a foreign national.

On the age condition: Section 4(c) of the Special Marriage Act sets the minimum age at 21 for the man and 18 for the woman, yet one Delhi District Magistrate page states 21 for both parties at registration under that Act. Check the current requirement with your SDM office before you file.

If you register under the Special Marriage Act

Marriage registration in Delhi under this Act takes longer because of the notice. After you submit documents, both spouses must be present for the public notice inviting objections to be issued. One copy is pasted on the office notice board and another is sent by registered post to both parties at the addresses given.

Registration is done 30 days after the notice, once the SDM has decided any objection received in that time. Both spouses and three witnesses attend, and the Department advises submitting the witnesses' names at least one day in advance. Documentary evidence that one spouse has stayed in Delhi for more than 30 days (a ration card or a report from the SHO) is also asked for.

Foreign nationals and couples who live outside Delhi

A foreign national must provide a certificate from the concerned Embassy on present marital status. The affidavits from both spouses also state citizenship, so the office can see each person's status at the time of the marriage.

Couples who married in Delhi but live elsewhere do not need a Delhi address. The Revenue Department directs them to the Deputy Commissioner's office for the area where the marriage was solemnised. The 60-day period still runs from the final ceremony, and both spouses must attend, so book the appointment early if one of you will travel.

Before you file for marriage registration in Delhi: points to check

Spellings of names, dates of birth and addresses match across the form, affidavits and identity documents.
Each spouse has signed a separate affidavit in the prescribed format, not a combined one.
Photographs and identification certificates are attested by an eligible person, as the Department describes.
You have counted 60 days from the final ceremony, leaving out the day of the ceremony itself.
Your address proof actually places one spouse within the SDM's jurisdiction you are applying to.
Originals of every self-attested copy are with you on the appointment date.

Questions about marriage registration in Delhi

Is marriage registration in Delhi compulsory?

Yes for marriages solemnised in Delhi. The Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014 extends to all such marriages, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, and requires registration within 60 days.

Can I complete marriage registration in Delhi online?

You can apply and book through the e-District portal, but the spouses must still appear in person for verification. The 2014 Order itself speaks of a portal for online submission of the application and prior appointment.

Which SDM office handles marriage registration in Delhi?

The SDM in whose area either spouse lives. If the marriage was solemnised in Delhi and neither spouse lives there, the Deputy Commissioner's office for the area where it took place.

What if more than 60 days have passed?

The marriage can still be registered, but a penalty may apply. The Additional District Magistrate or District Magistrate can remit it on an application showing reasonable cause for the delay.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for marriage registration in Delhi?

No. The Revenue Department says that if Aadhaar is not available, one identity proof such as a Voter ID, driving licence, passport or PAN card can be provided.

What is the difference between marriage registration and court marriage?

Registration records a marriage that has already been solemnised. A court marriage is a civil solemnisation before a Marriage Officer under the Special Marriage Act, with a 30-day notice period before the marriage takes place. Our guide to court marriage in Delhi explains that process.

Where can I get the application forms?

The Delhi Revenue Department website carries separate application forms for the Hindu Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act, along with the identification certificate and affidavit formats.

What does a foreign national need to provide?

A certificate from the concerned Embassy stating the person's present marital status, along with the other documents listed above.

Sources

Disclaimer. This page gives general information only. It is not legal advice and creates no advocate-client relationship. Fees, forms and procedures can change, so confirm them with the competent SDM office or the Delhi Government portal before you act.

Marriage Registration in Delhi: Process, Documents, Fee and Deadline