Gandhinagar: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Friday introduced significant amendments to the state’s marriage registration rules in the Legislative Assembly. Amid rising cases of love marriages and elopements in the state, the newly proposed rules aim to enhance transparency in the marriage registration process and ensure that parents are formally informed.

Proposed New Marriage Registration Procedure

Step 1:
The marriage registration application must be submitted with the signatures of both parties and two witnesses. The application must be duly notarized and accompanied by identity proof issued by the Central or State Government for both parties, such as a Driving Licence, Passport, or Photo Identity Card.

Step 2 (A):
Each marriage registration application shall be submitted before the jurisdictional Assistant Registrar appointed by the Government. The application must be filed in prescribed Form-1 (I) along with the required details and documents, including:

• Aadhaar cards of the bride, groom, and witnesses

• Birth certificate or school leaving certificate of the bride and groom

• Marriage invitation card

• Two separate passport-size photographs each of the bride and groom

• A photograph taken at the time of the marriage ceremony

• Two recent passport-size photographs of each witness

• A declaration from the bride and groom stating whether they have informed their parents about the marriage

Step 2 (B):
The bride and groom must also submit the following details and documents of their parents:

1. Aadhaar card of the mother and/or father

2. Full name of the father

3. Permanent residential address of the father with complete details

4. Mobile number of the father

5. Full name of the mother

6. Permanent residential address of the mother with complete details

7. Mobile number of the mother

Step 3 (A):
Upon being satisfied with the application, the Assistant Registrar shall, within ten working days and as far as practicable, notify the parents of the bride and groom. Such intimation shall be made electronically or through physical means, as prescribed by the Government.

Step 3 (B):
The Assistant Registrar shall forward the application to the concerned District or Taluka Registrar. After verification and upon ensuring compliance with Sub-Rules (1 to 7), the marriage shall be registered after completion of 30 days from the date of application.

Step 4:
All details shall be uploaded by the Registrar on the online portal developed by the Government, including the relevant serial number, page number, and volume details. Upon completion of the above process, the Registrar shall prepare the Marriage Registration Certificate in Form-2 and deliver it to the parties either in person or by post.

Dy CM Sanghavi Warns of Strict Action Against Fraudulent Marriages

Announcing proposed amendments to the rules under the Gujarat Marriage Registration Act, 2006, Sanghavi said the government intends to introduce stricter provisions to prevent alleged misuse of the registration process. A key change includes mandating parental intimation during marriage registration. A dedicated online portal will also be developed for this purpose.

Addressing the House, Sanghavi stated that certain loopholes in the existing system had led to instances of alleged fraud. He claimed that anti-social elements were misleading young women by concealing their identities and luring them into marriage under false pretences.

Referring to specific cases in Panchmahal district, he said investigations had revealed irregularities in the issuance of marriage certificates. In villages such as Kankodakoi and Nathkuva, he alleged that several ‘nikah’ certificates had been issued despite the absence of any Muslim families residing there. The matter has been thoroughly probed and appropriate action has been initiated, he added.

Explaining the proposed framework, Sanghavi said parents would be formally informed at the time of marriage registration. The government has invited objections and suggestions from citizens for a period of 30 days. A committee will be constituted to review the feedback and ensure that the final rules are implemented within constitutional provisions.

Sanghvi clarified that the government does not oppose love marriages but would act strictly in cases involving coercion or deception. He asserted that the state government is committed to safeguarding the dignity and rights of women.

Expressing concern over what he termed “love jihad”, he said marriages conducted by concealing identity amount to an attack on cultural values. He warned that strict action would be taken against those found guilty of fraud or forced marriage.

The decision follows nearly 30 consultations held over the past three months with various social organisations, along with discussions involving Minister of State for Law and Justice Kaushik Vekaria, Sangahvi said. DeshGujarat