Marriage Eligibility Checker
Verify your legal eligibility for marriage in India under various acts and personal laws.
Interactive Eligibility Tool Coming Soon
We are developing a step-by-step checker to verify your eligibility based on religion, age, and location. In the meantime, please review the critical legal requirements below.
Core Legal Requirements in India
Legal eligibility for marriage in India is complex because it depends on which law you marry under. However, four fundamental requirements apply to almost all legal marriages:
1. Minimum Age
Currently, the groom must be at least 21 years old and the bride at least 18 years old. A bill is pending to increase the woman\'s age to 21 to match the man\'s.
2. Valid Consent
Both parties must be capable of giving valid consent. They must be of sound mind and not under duress, coercion, or fraud. Forceful marriages are voidable.
3. Monogamy
Under most acts (Hindu, Special Marriage Act, Christian Act), neither party should have a living spouse at the time of marriage. Bigamy is a criminal offense in India.
4. Prohibited Relationships
Parties should not be within "prohibited degrees of relationship" (like immediate family) unless the custom or usage governing each of them permits such a marriage.
Eligibility Under Different Acts
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Applies to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs. Specific conditions:
- Must not be Sapindas (related through common ancestors) within 5 generations on father\'s side and 3 on mother\'s.
- If already married once, a valid divorce decree or death certificate of previous spouse is mandatory.
Special Marriage Act, 1954
A secular law open to all Indians. It is often chosen for inter-faith marriages.
- Requires a 30-day notice period to the Marriage Officer.
- During this period, any person can object to the marriage based on legal eligibility grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic eligibility criteria for marriage in India?
The primary criteria are: 1) Minimum age (21 for men, currently 18 but proposed 21 for women), 2) Mutual consent, 3) Neither party having a living spouse (monogamy), and 4) Parties not being within prohibited degrees of relationship (unless custom allows).
What are "prohibited degrees of relationship"?
These are relationships where marriage is forbidden by law to prevent genetic issues and maintain social order. It includes direct ancestors, descendants, siblings, and certain close relatives. The specifics vary slightly between Hindu and Special Marriage Acts.
Can first cousins get married in India?
Under the Hindu Marriage Act, first cousins (sapindas) are generally prohibited from marrying unless a long-standing custom in their community allows it (common in some South Indian communities). Under the Special Marriage Act, it is generally prohibited.
What if one partner is a non-citizen?
Foreigners can marry Indian citizens in India, typically under the Special Marriage Act. This requires a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from their respective embassy, valid passport, visa, and proof of address.