Yes.
Hindus can opt for a civil marriage, often incorrectly referred to as a
"court marriage," under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Provisions in
the Act govern civil marriages and require no religious ritual or
ceremony of any kind. The necessary requirement is that the persons
intending to marry inform the marriage officer of the district in which
at least one of them lives. The marriage officer then posts the
information on a public notice board and keeps it up for 30 days. During
those 30 days, any person can object to the marriage on grounds such as
the intended bride is under age or that she is too closely related to
the bridegroom or that she has been married before. If no valid
objections are received, the couple signs a declaration in the marriage
office in the presence of three witnesses. The marriage officer then
issues a certificate of marriage to the couple as proof of the marriage.
The Special Marriage Act, in S.21-A clearly states that if a special or
civil marriage takes place between two persons both of whom are Hindus,
Buddhist, Sikh or Jain, such persons continue to be governed by other
aspects of Hindu personal law, such as the law relating to succession.
Hindu Marriage Law
Ozg Experts & Lawyers
Email: hindu.marriage@ozg.co.in
