How to transfer UK pension to India
Read our helpful guide on how to transfer a UK pension to India, including the steps, fees and taxes involved.
Getting legally married in India isn’t a simple process. Between a lengthy wait time, nuanced legal customs and a plethora of details to consider. However, the trade-offs may be worth it for you. For families with Indian heritage, wedding in India means adhering to sacred traditions and rituals that go back several generations. An Indian wedding is ornate, colourful and of a larger scale than you might expect in the west. If you want a wedding full of costumes, flowers, music and days of celebration and sacraments, consider India.
In this post, we’ll help you with everything you need to know about getting married in India. For an overview on the legal considerations, common customs and suggested venues across the country, read on.
Civil ceremonies and religious weddings are both recognised as legally valid in India. Civil ceremonies are performed at the marriage registrar’s office.
Religious weddings are common in India. For most religions, the marriage certificates issued by the religious authority are sufficient to recognise the marriage. However, for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, couples must also obtain a marriage certificate through the local marriage registrar.
Same-sex marriages aren’t legally recognised in India.
The Special Marriage Act of 1954 dictates a 30-day requirement for residency in India, which means that at least one party of the wedding has to be living in India for at least 30 days before applying to get married. You’ll have to prove it from a certificate issued by the local police station.
An expat or foreign national marrying an Indian citizen will need some additional paperwork, but doesn’t need to become a citizen of India in order to get married.
Additionally, India recognises foreign marriage certificates, so if you’ve gotten married abroad, you won’t need to legally register your marriage in India. Non-resident couples might choose to get legally married in their home country and then have a ceremonial blessing in India instead, as that is simpler.
The documentation required to get married in India will depend on the type of wedding you’re going to have. At a minimum, you’ll need the following documents in advance of your wedding day:
Proof of Residency and Address in India for at least 30 days prior to the application, for at least one of the parties
A valid passport for both parties
Original birth certificate for both parties
Visa or Ration Card for any foreign parties involved in the marriage that will last longer than 30 days, indicating your length of stay
Certificate of No Impediment/Single Status stating that you’re not already married
No Objection Letters stating that you willingly consent to the marriage, obtained through your home country’s embassy
Divorce Papers or Death Certificate if you’ve been previously married and divorced or widowed
Passport sized photographs
For a Catholic wedding, the bride and groom will obtain your ‘No Objection’ certificate from your parish priest that acknowledges the wedding and permits the couple to marry at a church in India. You also may need additional documentation, such as baptism certificates and confirmation certificates.
You have to submit your Notice of Intended marriage to the local registry office, as well as evidence of your or your partner’s residency, certified copies of passports and birth certificates and photographs. Only one member of your party needs to be present to submit the notice.
If you’re a foreigner marrying an Indian citizen, you’ll also need to visit a lawyer to create an affidavit confirming that you’re a willing party to the marriage. This is in the absence of the presence of parents who are there to ‘give you away.’
At the registry office, you’ll then sign three copies of your notice of intended marriage, and confirm your names and addresses to the registrar. If no one objects within the 30 day period before your wedding day, you can be legally married, again at the registrar. You’ll need three witnesses present, and several copies of the passports and proofs of address for all of your witnesses.
To obtain your marriage certificate, you should visit the local marriage registrar’s office which is generally in a court or municipal building. There’s a 30-day waiting period after your wedding, and then you can obtain your certificate which counts as legal proof that you’re married. In total, you should expect to spend at least 60 days in India, between both 30-day waiting periods before and after your wedding.
Weddings in India are typically large, drawn-out affairs. As a result, they can be expensive. However, ‘expensive’ is a relative term - your western money may go further in Indian rupees (₹).
Expect to pay administrative fees that vary by region. If you’re a foreigner, a local registrar may quote you up to ₹75,000 (about €1,000) in administration costs. However, under the Special Marriage Act, an application for registration is only ₹150, and ₹100 for registration under the Hindu Marriage Act for religious weddings. Make sure that you don’t fall prey to overpaying for administration costs. Typically you should only expect administrative fees for your marriage application and for the issuance of your marriage certificate. You may need to pay an additional ₹400 or ₹500 for any affidavits that are required.
Another way you may be overpaying is through currency exchange fees. Make sure to budget your wedding wisely by using a service like Wise which allows you to transfer money without worrying about crazy bank fees and unfair exchange rates. Wise offers the same real exchange rate you can find on Google and adds only a small, transparent fee.
As long as you’ve applied properly for your wedding, you’re free to marry in a venue and location of your choice. Many people choose to get married in temples, on boats, outdoors, or in churches or temples. You can also marry directly at the registrar where you apply for your marriage certificate.
The following embassy and consulate websites will supply additional information about your wedding and requirements if you’re a foreign national:
Weddings in India are culturally viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime, grandiose party that has a lot of implications about the prosperity of the families involved. They also tend to last up to a week, with events, meals and celebrations every day. It’s not uncommon for families to invite over a thousand people and take out loans just to cover wedding costs.
That said, it’s possible to have a wedding for the equivalent of a few hundred Euro, so plan according to what you can afford. Here are some estimated costs for a 100-person destination wedding in India:
Item | Approximate cost |
---|---|
Jewelry | ₹500,000 |
Venue | ₹200,000 |
Saris and Clothing | ₹200,000 |
Invitations | ₹50,000 |
Transportation | ₹50,000 |
Catering | ₹800,000 |
Wedding planner | ₹500,000 |
Photographer | ₹50,000 |
Administrative Costs | ₹500 |
Other Decor | ₹100,000 |
The following are popular wedding locations in India:
Location | Description |
---|---|
Zenana Mahal (Udaipur) | The candlelit queen’s palace in the city palace complex, located in ‘city of lakes’ |
Lebua resort (Jaipur) | A resort and spa with French influence in the ‘pink city’ known for its royal palace |
Coconut Lagoon (Kerala) | An old feudal village located southern beach region, with canals tea gardens |
Snow Valley Resorts (Manali) | A hideaway amidst pinewood forests in the Himalayas |
Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra) | A luxury hotel in one of the oldest historic cities in India, near the Taj Mahal |
The Taj West End (Bangalore) | A legendary hotel with graceful gardens and spacious lawns |
Reis Magos Fort (Goa) | The oldest fort in Goa, restored, in a beach destination popular with foreigners and festival goers |
Leela Palace (New Delhi) | A luxe space in a tourist capital, easily accessible for foreigners |
Krishnam Dhani (Pushkar) | A resort in a city filled with famous temples |
Thaker Farm (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) | A farm located in vibrant western city filled with palaces and forts |
Indian weddings are full of traditions and customs, most of which are considered optional to the couple getting married. You might consider including some of the following in your ceremony:
A wedding in India will surely require planning, time and money. However, it’s also sure to be a celebration that’s remembered by your family and friends for a long time to come.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Read our helpful guide on how to transfer a UK pension to India, including the steps, fees and taxes involved.
The costs in India depend on the region and the city you’re moving to from the UK. Learn about average living prices when moving to India from abroad.
India is an ethnically diverse and culturally vibrant country. If you’re thinking about moving to India you'll probably need to find a job, and with a large...
India is a cultural melting pot. The food alone is reason enough to plan a trip to India. Add in a booming technology sector, bustling cities and heaps of...
India is a country packed with opportunities - so if you live or work there, and plan to stay for the long term, then seeking Indian citizenship makes a lot...
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times of your life. But there are many aspects that can feel daunting, especially if you’re an expat living abroad....