Registering your marriage in Tamil Nadu
A marriage certificate is the document you will be asked for again and again — for a passport, a visa, a joint bank account, insurance, or a name change. Registering is compulsory in Tamil Nadu regardless of religion.
First, work out which route applies
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
For a wedding that has already been performed according to custom, where both parties are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain or Sikh. This is the common route after a temple or family wedding.
- The ceremony must already have taken place
- No waiting period
- Usually completed within days of verification
Special Marriage Act, 1954
A civil marriage. Used for interfaith couples, or where either party is not Hindu, or where you want a civil ceremony rather than a religious one.
- A 30-day public notice period is mandatory
- Marriage is solemnised by the Marriage Officer
- Plan for at least five to six weeks end to end
Tamil Nadu also has its own Registration of Marriages Act, 2009, which makes registration compulsory for all marriages in the state whatever the religion of the couple.
Before you apply
- Age. The bride must have completed 18 years and the groom 21 years at the time of the marriage.
- Consent. Both parties must be marrying freely, without coercion.
- No living spouse. If either party was married before, carry the divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse.
- Jurisdiction. Apply to the Sub-Registrar office for the area where the marriage took place, or where one of you lives.
- Witnesses. Bring witnesses with their own photo ID. Confirm how many your Sub-Registrar office expects before the day.
Documents to carry
Take originals for verification and a self-attested photocopy of each.
For both bride and groom
- Age proof — birth certificate, school leaving certificate or passport
- Identity proof — Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence
- Address proof — ration card, utility bill or Aadhaar
- Passport-size photographs (carry several)
- Affidavit in the prescribed format
Depending on your situation
- Wedding invitation card
- Marriage photograph showing the ceremony
- Priest or temple certificate, for a Hindu marriage
- Divorce decree, if either party was divorced
- Death certificate, if either party was widowed
- Photo ID of each witness
- Additional papers for an NRI or foreign national spouse
The procedure, step by step
Create an account on TNREGINET
Registration is handled through the state Registration Department portal at tnreginet.gov.in. Creating an account is free.
Fill the marriage registration application
Choose the correct Act, then enter both parties' details and the date and place of marriage. Make sure every name and date matches your documents exactly — a mismatch is the most common reason an application is sent back.
Upload documents and pay the fee
The registration fee is modest — of the order of ₹100 under the Hindu Marriage Act and ₹150 under the Special Marriage Act. Confirm the current fee on the portal.
Attend the Sub-Registrar office
One in-person visit is required. Both parties and the witnesses attend with original documents for verification and signatures.
Collect the certificate
Once verified, the certificate is issued. Take several certified copies while you are there — you will need them, and getting copies later is more trouble.
Take the checklist with you
One printable page with every document listed.