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In force

The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872

70 sections · As amended up to 2026-08

Sections

  1. 0Section 0
  2. 1Subs. by Act 12 of 1891, s. 2 and the Second Schedule, for "(see section 28)"
  3. 2As to validation of post marriages solemnized under Part VI between persons of whom one only was an
  4. 3Interpretation clause
  5. 4Marriages to be solemnized according to Act
  6. 5In its application to Pondicherry, in section 1, the following proviso shall be added at the end of section 1
  7. 6[ Officers to whom Registrars in Indian States shall send certificates. ) Omitted by the A. O . 1950
  8. 7Proviso omitted by s. 6 and the Schedule, ibid ., (w.e.f. 1-10-1978)
  9. 9Licensing of persons to grant certificates of marriage between Indian Christians
  10. 10Time for solemnizing marriage
  11. 12Notice of intended marriage
  12. 13Publication of such notice
  13. 15Sending copy of notice to Marriage Registrar when one party is a minor
  14. 18Declaration before issue of certificate
  15. 19Consent of father, or guardian, or mother
  16. 20Power to prohibit by notice issue of certificate
  17. 23Issue of certificates to Indian Christians
  18. 24Form of certificate
  19. 25Solemnization of marriage
  20. 26Certificate void if marriage not solemnized within two months
  21. 28Registration of marriages solemnized by Clergymen of Church of England
  22. 30Registration and returns of marriages solemnized by Clergymen of Church of Rome
  23. 31Registration and returns of marriages solemnized by Clergymen of Church of Scotland
  24. 32Certain marriages to be registered in duplicate
  25. 33Entries of such marriages to be signed and attested
  26. 34Certificate to be forwarded to Marriage Registrar, copied and sent to Registrar General
  27. 36Registrar to add number of entry to certificate, and send to Registrar General
  28. 37Registration of marriages between Indian Christians, by persons referred to in clauses (
  29. 38Notice of intended marriage before Marriage Registrar
  30. 39Publication of notice
  31. 42Oath before issue of certificate
  32. 43Petition to High Court to order certificate in less than fourteen days
  33. 44Consent of father or guardian
  34. 45Petition where person whose consent is necessary is insane, or unjustly withholds consent. Procedure on petition
  35. 46Petition when Marriage Registrar refuses certificate
  36. 48Petition when Registrar doubts authority of person forbidding
  37. 49Liability for frivolous protest against issue of certificate
  38. 50Form of certificate
  39. 51Solemnization of marriage after issue of certificate
  40. 52When marriage not had within two months after notice, new notice required
  41. 53Marriage Registrar may ask for particulars to be registered
  42. 55Certificates to be sent monthly to Registrar General
  43. 56[ Officers to whom Registrars in Indian States shall send certificates. ) Omitted by the A. O . 1950
  44. 57Registrars to ascertain that notice and certificate are understood by Indian Christians
  45. 58Indian Christians to be made to understand declarations
  46. 61Grant of certificate
  47. 62Keeping of register
  48. 63Searches in register book and copies of entries
  49. 64Books in which marriages of Indian Christians under Part I or Part III are registered
  50. 65Part VI not to apply to Roman Catholics
  51. 66False oath, declaration, notice or certificate for procuring marriage
  52. 67Forbidding, by false personation issue of certificate by Marriage Registrar
  53. 69Solemnizing marriage out of proper time, or without witnesses
  54. 70Solemnizing without notice or within fourteen days after notice, marriage with minor
  55. 71Issuing certificate, or marrying, without publication of notice;
  56. 72Issuing certificate after expiry of notice, or, in case of minor, within fourteen days after
  57. 73Persons authorized to solemnize marriage (other than Clergy of Churches of England, Scotland or Rome);
  58. 74Unlicensed person granting certificate pretending to be licensed
  59. 75Destroying or falsifying register-books
  60. 76Limitation of prosecutions under Act
  61. 77What matters need not be proved in respect of marriage in accordance with Act
  62. 78Corrections of errors
  63. 79Searches and copies of entries
  64. 80Certified copy of entry in marriage-register, etc., to be evidence
  65. 81Certificates of certain marriages to be sent to Central Government
  66. 82State Government to prescribe fees
  67. 83Power to make rules
  68. 85Power to declare who shall be District Judge
  69. 87Saving of Consular marriages
  70. 88Non-validation of marriages within prohibited degrees