Registration of marriages to become simpler in Delhi

Registration of marriages may soon become a simple hassel free process in Delhi with the government drafting a bill that proposes presence of either the husband or wife at the designated offices for the purpose.
In special circumstances, the couple may even authorise their parents for registration of their marriages, provided documentation of the paper work is in order.
In keeping with a Supreme Court directive, Delhi government has drafted the bill and the procedures for registration are being simplified as per suggestion of the Home Ministry.
"Following a suggestion by the Union Home Ministry, the city government has decided to do away with the practice of requiring both husband and wife to be present at the marriage registrar's office," said a senior official.
The bill, which makes registration of marriage compulsory for the newly-married, will be tabled in the budget session of Delhi Assembly.
The city government last year had sent the draft bill to Union Home Ministry for approval following which the ministry had suggested further simplification of the procedure.
The Delhi Cabinet in August had approved the Delhi Marriage Registration Bill which is being brought in to ensure that deserted women get their rights like financial help and custody of children from their estranged husbands.
As per the provision of the bill, all mariages taking place in the city will have to be registered with the authorities concerned.

Delhi to simplify marriage registration

Couples facing difficulty in getting their marriages registered in their respective states have a reason to cheer.
In a meeting chaired by chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday, the Delhi cabinet decided to relax marriage registration rules in the city after which couples from anywhere in the country will be able to easily get their marriages registered here provided their marriages take place in Delhi.
As per the decision, couples wanting to get their marriages registered here, will no longer require to prove that either of them or parents of at least one of them have been a resident of the city for at least a month.
The marriage, however, has to take place in the area of the city that falls under the jurisdiction of the registrar who is approached for the registration.
Dikshit has confirmed the decision, which comes against the backdrop of several honour killings taking place in the city as well as in the neighbouring states. Now, couples facing threat of khap panchayats will also be able to get their marriages registered in Delhi.
Couples from other states, seeking to get their marriages registered here have been facing difficulties because of the particular clause in the Delhi Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1956.
A senior official said the decision had been taken following a city court order asking the government to relax the rules.