Court marriages in India are governed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954, allowing any two individuals to marry regardless of religion, caste, or nationality. The process involves filing a notice of intended marriage, waiting 30 days for public objections, and signing the registry before a Marriage Officer and three witnesses.

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Eligibility Criteria
To legally qualify for a court marriage, both partners must meet the following conditions:

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Legal Age: The groom must be at least 21 years old, and the bride must be at least 18 years old.
Consent: Both parties must be mentally sound and freely consent to the marriage.
Marital Status: Neither party can have a living spouse at the time of the ceremony.
No Prohibited Relationships: The couple must not fall within the “degrees of prohibited relationship” (e.g., close blood relatives) unless permitted by their specific customary laws.

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Essential Documents Required
Applicants must submit a signed application, age proof (e.g., birth certificate), address proof (Aadhaar, passport, or rent agreement), and 4-6 passport-sized photos. Additionally, notarized affidavits detailing marital status and, if applicable, proof of divorce or a deceased spouse are required. Foreign nationals must include a No Objection Certificate from their embassy.