Now get a marriage certificate within 24 hours by paying Rs 10,000

New Delhi: Like passports and rail tickets, you can now get a marriage registration certificate issued within 24 hours, using a 'tatkal' service.

The Revenue Department of Delhi Government has introduced a tatkal service ensuring a single-day authorisation of the marriage under which the registration process will be undertaken on priority.

"In compliance with a Supreme Court order in 2006, Delhi government had made mandatory the registration of marriage within 60 days of tying the nuptial knot. The 'tatkal' service has been introduced to provide the papers on priority basis to those who seek them urgently," Delhi Government's Revenue Secretary Dharam Pal said.

"The service which became operational on April 22, enables the citizens to register their nuptials and get a certificate issued within 24 hours on payment of Rs 10,000 as a fee," he said.

While the government charges Rs 100 as application fee for registration under the Hindu Marriage Act, Rs 150 is levied under Special Marriage Act. Additionally, people pay around Rs 400-500 for acquiring certain affidavits that need to be submitted with the applications.

"We are also considering authorising the sub-divisional magistrate to register marriages, which is presently done by the Additional Magistrate," Dharam Pal said.

A Delhi government portal ensuring a transparent and hassle free registration process for the applicants is expected to go live next month, he added. The portal will enable the applicants to download forms and will offer a step-by-step guide for the process. The users will also be able to check the status of their application, Pal said.

As per Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's order, the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014 will be applicable to all marriages solemnised in Delhi irrespective of caste, creed and religion of the brides and grooms.

"Any marriage solemnised in Delhi between a man having completed 21 years and a woman of at least 18 years of age on the date of solemnisation of the marriage, with at least one of them being an Indian citizen, will have to be compulsorily registered," the order said.

As per the order, the couples will have to apply jointly in the prescribed Form - A to the marriage officer in their areas for registration of their marriage. The applications will have to be accompanied by "documentary proof of age, citizenship, identification of the bride and groom, solemnisation of marriage and place of their residence."