Delhi · 10 Court Locations Covered
Court Marriage in Delhi — Every Court, Every Detail
Detailed 2026 guides to the top 10 court marriage venues across Delhi: 7 main District Courts and 3 major SDM offices. Real fees, real timelines, real metro routes — written by advocates who file at these courts every week.
7
District Courts
13
SDM Offices
40K+
Words of Real Info
2026
Updated Year
Which Delhi court is right for you?
In Delhi, the court you can register at is determined by where you live — specifically, where one of the partners has been residing for the previous 30 days. Below is a quick decision guide. For full details, open the relevant location guide.
Live in East Delhi (Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Preet Vihar)?
Use Karkardooma Court for SMA, Mayur Vihar SDM for HMA.
Live in South Delhi (Saket, GK, Lajpat Nagar)?
Saket Court for SMA, Mehrauli SDM if in Mehrauli/Vasant Kunj.
Live in West/North-West (Janakpuri, Rohini, Pitampura)?
Rohini Court for Rohini side, Dwarka Court for Dwarka/Janakpuri.
Live in Central/New Delhi (CP, Khan Market)?
Patiala House Court for SMA + NRI, CP SDM for HMA.
Live in Old / North Delhi (Civil Lines, Karol Bagh)?
Most cases go to Tis Hazari Court — largest volume, highest slot availability.
NRI / Foreign National?
Patiala House is the best choice — apostille is co-located here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Quick answers to the questions our team gets asked most often. Can’t find yours? Call us on +91-9718662270 for a free consultation.
Does Delhi require special documents compared to other states?+
The core requirements are uniform across India under central laws. Delhi-specific practical points: address proof must be from the relevant Delhi district (matching the Marriage Officer's jurisdiction), stamp paper rates are uniform, and Delhi government also runs a marriage incentive scheme for certain inter-caste cases through the Social Welfare Department.
Which Delhi court should I use if I live near the city border?+
Court jurisdiction is determined by the residential district under the Delhi Sub-Division Map. Even if you live near the border, your designated court is fixed by your Aadhaar address. Verify with the District Legal Services Authority or check the Delhi District Courts portal for the latest sub-divisional boundaries. We can confirm your designated court free of charge.
What if police protection is required for love marriage in Delhi?+
If you anticipate family interference, you can file a written request with the local SHO and simultaneously with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). The Delhi High Court has issued multiple judgments protecting adult couples' right to marry — DLSA helpdesks at major courts handle such cases sympathetically and quickly.
What is court marriage in India and who can opt for it?+
Court marriage is the legal registration of a marriage by a Marriage Officer (typically a District Magistrate or SDM) under either the Special Marriage Act, 1954 or the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Any two adults — Indian citizens or NRIs — who are not within prohibited relationships and are mentally competent can opt for it. The groom must be 21+ and the bride 18+ at the time of registration.
What is the difference between the Special Marriage Act and the Hindu Marriage Act?+
The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is a secular law for any two adults regardless of faith — ideal for inter-faith, inter-caste, and purely civil marriages. It requires a 30-day public notice. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 applies to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists who have already had a religious ceremony, and registers that ceremony retrospectively (no 30-day notice).
How long does court marriage take in India?+
Under the Special Marriage Act, the timeline is 45-50 days because of the mandatory 30-day notice period. Under the Hindu Marriage Act (post-ceremony registration), it typically takes 15-25 working days. Anyone promising under 30 days for SMA or under 7 days for HMA is misrepresenting the process — these durations are statutory.
What documents are required for court marriage in India?+
Standard documents for each partner: Aadhaar Card (with current address), age proof (birth certificate or 10th board mark sheet or passport), address proof (utility bill, rental agreement, or Aadhaar), 6 passport-size photographs, PAN card, and a joint affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper. Three witnesses bring their own Aadhaar plus 2 photos each.
Is a 30-day waiting period mandatory for court marriage?+
Yes, only under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 — Section 5 mandates a 30-day public notice. No court in India can waive this period. If urgency is genuine (e.g., approaching wedding visa deadline), some couples opt for the Hindu Marriage Act registration after a quick religious ceremony, which has no statutory waiting period.
How do I prove residence for 30 days under the Special Marriage Act?+
Acceptable residence proofs include Aadhaar with the current district address, rental agreement (registered), utility bills (electricity, water, gas) of the last 3 months, voter ID, or driving license. At least one document must clearly show residence in the relevant district for 30 days before notice filing.
How do I get a marriage certificate after the registration?+
The marriage certificate is issued by the Marriage Officer on the day of solemnisation under the Special Marriage Act. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, the certificate is typically issued within 7-15 days of application. Additional certified copies cost ₹100 each. Lost certificates can be reissued by applying at the same court's record room.
Can I get court marriage done on a Sunday or public holiday?+
No. All Indian Marriage Officers' offices function only on working days (Monday-Saturday, excluding 2nd Saturday and gazetted holidays). For Sunday or holiday celebrations, you can have a religious or symbolic ceremony — but the legal registration must happen on a working day at the Marriage Officer's office.
How do I book an appointment with a Marriage Officer?+
Notice filing usually requires in-person submission of Form III with documents at the Marriage Officer's office. Some courts have introduced online slot booking, but most still operate counter-based queue tokens. After notice + 30-day wait (SMA only), the Marriage Officer schedules the solemnisation date. Working with a marriage advocate streamlines all booking steps.
Is the court marriage certificate accepted by banks and government offices?+
Yes — universally. The certificate is the primary document for joint bank accounts, gas/electricity connections, school admissions of children, insurance nominations, succession planning, and all government applications including passport name change and Aadhaar update.
What is Form III in court marriage and where do I get it?+
Form III is the prescribed Application for Marriage Registration / Notice of Intended Marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. It is available free at the Marriage Officer's office, downloadable from the Delhi District Courts portal, or your marriage advocate provides a pre-filled version. Both parties must sign Form III in the presence of the Marriage Officer.
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