When the boy and the girl intending to marry do not belong to the same religion, their marriage can be legally solemnised under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The Act also applies to cases wherein the couple has already entered into wedlock by following religious rituals and wants to get the marriage registered.
The marriage is solemnised in a court in the presence of a marriage officer and three witnesses. Any girl above 18 years can marry any boy above 21 years unless the marriage falls under the prohibited category as per law. After applying in court, the notice of the intended marriage is published and objections can be raised by anyone within 30 days. However, unreasonable objections can invite a fine up to Rs. 1,000. Once the marriage is solemnised on the specified date, the marriage registrar enters the details in the register and issues a marriage certificate. The entire process entails a fee (Rs. 500 – Rs. 1,000).