Registration & Stamps Department

Whom does the act apply to?

It applies to all those who profess the religion Christianity. Every marriage between persons, one or both of whom is or are a Christian, or Christians, shall be solemnized in accordance with the provisions of this Act. It extends to the whole of India except the territories which, immediatley before the 1st November, 1956, were comprised in the States of Travancore-Cochin, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir.

Who solemnises and registers the marriages under this Act?

The marriages under this Act are Solemnized:

1. by any person who has received episcopal ordination, provided that the marriage be solemnized according to the rules, rites, ceremonies and customs of the church of which he is a Minister;
2. by any Clergyman of the Church of Scotland, provided that such marriage be solemnized according to the rules, rites, ceremonies and customs of the Church of Scotland;
3. by any Minister of Religion licensed under this Act to solemnize marriages;
4. by, or in the presence of, a Marriage Registrar appointed under this Act;
5. by any person licensed under this Act to grant certificates of marriage between Indian Christians.

The District Collector/State Government grants licenses to the Pastors/Fathers.

What is the role of the Department?

As per the Birth, Death & Marriages Act, 1886, the Commissioner & Inspector General is made the Registrar General of Marriages. Thus, The Sections 37 & 62 of the Indian Christian Marriages Act, 1872, empowers the C & IG to file and preserve the Marriage Records. The said powers have been delegated to the District Registrar who files such copies in this Office.