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+THE HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1955
+(Act 25 of 1955)[18th May, 1955]
+An Act to amend and codify the law relating to marriage among Hindus.
+Preliminary
+1. Short title and extent.-(1) This Act may be called the Hindu Marriage Act,
+1955.
+(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and applies also to
+Hindus domiciled in the territories to which this Act extends who are outside the said territories.
+2. Application of Act.- (1) This Act applies,-
+(a) to any person who is a Hindu by religion in any of of its forms or developments, including a
+Virashaiva, a Lingayat or a follower of the Brahmo, Prarthana or Arya Samaj;
+(b) to any person who is a Buddhist, Jaina or Sikh by religion, and
+(c) to any other person domiciled in the territories to which this Act extends who is not a Muslim,
+Christian, Parsi or Jew by religion, unless it is proved that any such person would not have been
+governed by the Hindu law or by any custom or usage as part of that law in respect of any of the
+matters dealt with herein if this Act had not been passed.
+Explanation.- The following persons are Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas or Sikhs by religion, as the case
+may be,-
+(a) any child, legitimate or illegitimate, both of whose parents are Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas or
+Sikhs by religion;
+(b) any child, legitimate or illegitimate, one of whose parents is a Hindu, Buddhist, Jaina or Sikh
+by religion and who is brought up as a member of tribe, community, group or family to which such
+parents belongs or belonged; and
+(c) any person who is a convert or re-convert to the Hindus, Buddhist, Jaina or Sikh religion.
+(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1),nothing contained in this Act shall apply
+to the members of any Scheduled Tribe within the meaning of clause (25) of Article 366 of the
+Constitution unless the Central Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, otherwise
+directs.
+(3) The expression "Hindus" in any portion of this Act shall be construed as if it included a person
+who, though not a Hindu by religion is, nevertheless, a person whom this Act applies by virtue of
+the provisions contained in this section.
+3. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
+(a) the expression "custom" and "usage" signify any rule which, having been continuously and
+uniformally observed for a long time, has obtained the force of law among Hindus in any local
+area, tribe, community, group or family:
+Provided that the rule is certain and not unreasonable or opposed to public policy;
+and
+Provided further that in the case of a rule applicable only to a family it has not been discontinued
+by the family;
+(b)"District Court" means, in any area for which there is a City Civil Court, that Court, and in any
+other area the principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction, and includes any other civil court which
+may be specified by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, as having
+jurisdiction in respect of matters dealt with in this Act; 
+(c)"full blood"and "half blood"- two persons are said to be related to each other by full blood when
+they are descended from a common ancestor by the same wife and by half blood when they are
+descended from a common ancestor but by different wives;
+(d)"uterine blood" - two persons are said to be related to each other by uterine blood when they
+are descended from a common ancestor but by different husbands.
+Explanation.- In Clauses (c) and (d) "ancestor" includes the father and "ancestress" the mother;
+(e)"prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
+(f)(i)"Sapinda relationship" with reference to any person extends as far as the third
+generation(inclusive) in the line of ascent through the mother, and the fifth (inclusive) in the line
+of ascent through the father, the line being traced upwards in each case from the person concerned,
+who is to be counted as the first generation;
+(ii) two persons are said to be "sapinda" of each other if one is a lineal ascendant of the other within
+the limits of sapinda relationship, or if they have a common lineal ascendant who is within the
+limits of sapinda relationship with reference to each of them;
+(g)"degrees of prohibited relationship " - two persons are said to be within the "degrees of
+prohibited relationship"-
+(I) if one is a lineal ascendant of the other; or
+(ii) if one was the wife or husband of a lineal ascendant or descendant of the other; or
+(iii)if one was the wife of the brother or of the father's or mother's brother or of the grandfather's
+or grandmother's brother or the other; or
+(iv)if the two are brother and sister, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, or children of brother and
+sister or of two brothers or of two sisters.
+Explanation.- for the purposes of clauses (f) and (g) relationship includes-
+(I) relationship by half or uterine blood as well as by full blood;
+(ii) illegitimate blood relationship as well as legitimate;
+(iii) relationship by adoption as well as by blood; and all terms of relationship in those clauses
+shall be construed accordingly.
+4. Overriding effect of Act.- Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act.-
+(a) any text,rule or interpretation of Hindu Law or any custom or usage as part of that law in force
+immediately before the commencement of this Act shall cease to have effect with respect to any
+matter for which provision is made in this Act;
+(b) any other law in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall cease to have
+effect in so far as it is inconsistent with any of the provisions contained in this Act.
+Hindu Marriages
+5. Condition for a Hindu Marriage.- A marriage may be solemnized between any two Hindus,
+if the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:
+(i) neither party has a spouse living at the time of the marriage;
+(ii) at the time of the marriage, neither party,-
+(a) is incapable of giving a valid consent of it in consequence of unsoundness of mind; or
+(b) though capable of giving a valid consent has been suffering from mental disorder of such a
+kind or to such an extent as to be unfit for marriage and the procreation of children; or
+(c) has been subject to recurrent attacks of insanity or epilepsy;
+(iii) the bridegroom has completed the age of twenty one years and the bride the age of eighteen
+years at the time of the marriage; 
+(iv) the parties are not within the degrees of prohibited relationship unless the custom or usage
+governing each of them permits of a marriage between the two;
+(v) the parties are not sapindas of each other, unless the custom or usage governing each of them
+permits of a marriage between the two;
+(vi) (Omitted)
+6. Guardianship in Marriage.- (Omitted by Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976.
+7. Ceremonies for a Hindu marriage.-(1) A Hindu marriage may be solemnized in accordance
+with the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto.
+(2) Where such rites and ceremonies include the saptapadi (that is, the taking of seven steps by the
+bridegroom and the bride jointly before the sacred fire), the marriage becomes complete and
+binding when the seventh step is taken.
+8. Registration of Hindu Marriages.-(1) For the purpose of facilitating the proof of Hindu
+marriages, the State Government may make rules providing that the parties to any such marriage
+may have the particulars relating to their marriage entered in such manner and subject to such
+condition as may be prescribed in a Hindu Marriage Register kept for the purpose.
+(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government may, if it is of
+opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, provide that the entering of the particulars referred
+to in sub-section (1) shall be compulsory in the State or in any part thereof, whether in all cases or
+in such cases as may be specified and where any such direction has been issued, and person
+contravening any rule made in this behalf shall be punishable with fine which may extend to
+twenty-five rupees.
+(3) All rules made under this section shall be laid before the State Legislature, as soon as may be,
+after they are made.
+(4) The Hindu Marriage Register shall at all reasonable times be open for inspection, and shall be
+admissible as evidence of the statements therein contained
+and certified extracts therefrom shall, on application, be given by the Registrar on payment to him
+of the prescribed fee.
+(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the validity of any Hindu marriage shall in
+no way be affected by the omission to make the entry.
+Restitution of Conjugal rights and judicial separation
+9. Restitution of conjugal rights.- When either the husband or the wife has, without reasonable
+excuse, withdrawn from the society of the other, the aggrieved party may apply, by petition to the
+district court, for restitution of conjugal rights and the court, on being satisfied of the truth of the
+statements made in such petition and that there is no legal ground why the application should not
+be granted, may decree restitution of conjugal rights accordingly.
+Explanation- Where a question arises whether there has been reasonable excuse for withdrawal
+from the society, the burden of proving reasonable excuse shall be on the person who has
+withdrawn from the society.
+10. Judicial separation.- (1) Either party to a marriage, whether solemnized before or after the
+commencement of this Act, may present a petition praying for a decree for judicial separation on
+any of the grounds specified in sub-section (1) of Section 13, and in the case of a wife also on any
+of the grounds might have been presented.
+(2) Where a decree for judicial separation has been passed, it shall no longer be obligatory for the
+petitioner to cohabit with the respondent, but the court may, on the application by petition of either 
+party and on being satisfied of the truth of the statement made in such petition, rescind the decree
+if it considers it just and reasonable to do so.
+Nullity of Marriage and Divorce
+11. Nullity of marriage and divorce- Void marriages.- Any marriage solemnized after the
+commencement of this Act shall be null and void and may, ona petition presented by either party
+thereto, against the other party be so declared by a decree of nullity if it contravenes any one of
+the conditions specified in clauses
+(i), (iv) and (v), Section 5.
+12. Voidable Marriages.-(1) Any marriage solemnized, whether before or after the
+commencement of this Act, shall be voidable and may be annulled by a decree of nullity on any
+of the following grounds, namely:-
+(a) that the marriage has not been consummated owing to the impotency of the respondent; or
+(b) that the marriage is in contravention of the condition specified in clause (ii) of Section 5; or
+(c) that the consent of the petitioner, or where the consent of the guardian in marriage of the
+petitioner was required under Section 5 as it stood immediately before the commencement of the
+Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Act, 1978, the consent of such guardian was obtained by
+force or by fraud as to the nature of the ceremony or as to any material fact or circumstance
+concerning the respondent; or
+(d) that the respondent was at the time of the marriage pregnant by some person other than the
+petitioner.
+2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no petition for annulling a marriage (a)
+on the ground specified in clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be entertained if- (i) the petition is
+presented more than one year after the force had ceased to operate or, as the case may be, the fraud
+had been discovered ; or (ii) the petitioner has, with his or her full consent, lived with the other
+party to the marriage as husband or wife after the force had ceased to operate or, as the case
+may be, the fraud had been discovered;
+(b) on the ground specified in clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be entertained unless the court is
+satisfied- (i) that the petitioner was at the time of the marriage ignorant of the facts alleged;
+(ii) that proceedings have been instituted in the case of a marriage solemnized before the
+commencement of this Act within one year of such commencement and in the case of marriages
+solemnized after such commencement within one year from the date of the marriage; and
+(iii) that marital intercourse with the consent of the petitioner has not taken place since the
+discovery by the petitioner of the existence of the said ground.
+13. Divorce- (1) Any marriage solemnized, whether before or after the commencement of the Act,
+may, on a petition presented by either the husband or the wife, be dissolved by a decree of divorce
+on the ground that the other party-
+(i) has, after the solemnization of the marriage had voluntary sexual intercourse with any person
+other than his or her spouse; or
+(ia) has, after the solemnization of the marriage, treated the petitioner with cruelty; or
+(ib) has deserted the petitioner for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately
+preceding the presentation of the petition; or
+(ii) has ceased to be a Hindu by conversion to another religion ; or 
+(iii) has been incurably of unsound mind, or has suffering continuously or intermittently from
+mental disorder of such a kind and to such an extent that the petitioner cannot reasonably be
+expected to live with the respondent.
+Explanation- In this clause-
+(a) the expression "mental disorder" means mental illness, arrested or incomplete development of
+mind, psychopathic disorder or any other disorder or disability of mind and include schizophrenia;
+(b) the expression "psychopathic disorder" means a persistent disorder or disability of mind
+(whether or not including sub-normality of intelligence) which results in abnormally aggressive or
+seriously irresponsible conduct on the part of the other party and whether or not it requires or is
+susceptible to medical treatment; or
+(iv) has been suffering from a virulent and incurable form of leprosy; or
+(v) has been suffering from veneral disease in a communicable form; or
+(vi) has renounced the world by entering any religious order; or
+(vii) has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven years or more by those persons who
+would naturally have heard of it, had that party been alive;
+Explanation.- In this sub-section, the expression "desertion" means the desertion of the petitioner
+by the other party to the marriage without reasonable cause and without the consent or against the
+wish of such party, and includes the wilful neglect of the petitioner by the other party to the
+marriage, and its grammatical variations and cognate expression shall be construed accordingly.
+(1-A) Either party to a marriage, whether solemnized before or after the commencement of this
+Act, may also present a petition for the dissolution of the marriage by a decree of divorce on the
+ground-
+(i) that there has been no resumption of cohabitation as between the parties to the marriage for a
+period of one year or upwards after the passing of a decree for judicial separation in a proceeding
+to which they were parties; or (ii) that there has been no restitution of conjugal rights as between
+the parties tothe marriage for a period of one year or upward after the passing of a decree of
+restitution of conjugal rights in a proceeding to which they were parties.
+(2) A wife may also present a petition for the dissolution of her marriage by a
+decree of divorce on the ground-
+(i) in the case of any marriage solemnized before the commencement of this Act,
+that the husband had married again before the commencement or that any other
+wife of the husband married before such commencement was alive at the time of
+the solemnization of the marriage of the petitioner:
+Provided that in either case the other wife is alive at the time of the presentation of
+the petition;
+(ii) that the husband has, since the solemnization of the marriage, been guilty of
+rape, sodomy or bestiality; or
+(iii) that in a suit under Section 18 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act,
+(78 of 1956), or in a proceeding under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal
+Procedure, 1973, (Act 2 of 1974) or under corresponding Section 488 of the Code
+of Criminal Procedure, (5 of 1898), a decree or order, as the case may be, has
+been passed against the husband awarding maintenance to the wife
+notwithstanding that she was living apart and that since the passing of such decree
+or order, cohabitation between the parties has not been resumed for one year or
+upwards;or
+(iv) that her marriage (whether consummated or not) was solemnized before she 
+attained the age of fifteen years and she has repudiated the marriage after
+attaining that age but before attaining the age of eighteen years.
+Explanation.- This clause applies whether the marriage was solemnized before or
+after the commencement of the Marriage Law (Amendment) Act, 1976.
+13-A. Alternate Relief in Divorce Proceedings.- If any proceeding under this
+Act, on a petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce, except in so
+far as the petition is founded on the grounds mentioned in clauses (ii), (vi) and
+(vii) of sub-section (1) of Section 13, the court may, if it considers it just so to do
+having regard to the circumstances of the case, pass instead a decree for judicial
+separation.
+13-B. Divorce by mutual consent.-(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act a
+petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce may be presented to the
+District Court by both the parties to a marriage together, whether such marriage
+was solemnized before or after the commencement of the Marriage Laws
+(Amendment) Act, 1976, on the ground that they have been living separately for a
+period of one year or more, that they have not been able to live together and that
+they have mutually agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.
+(2) On the motion of both the parties made earlier than six months after the date
+of the presentation of the petition referred to in sub-section (1) and not later than
+eighteen months after the said date, if the petition is not withdrawn in the mean
+time, the Court shall, on being satisfied, after hearing the parties and after making
+such inquiry as it thinks fit, that a marriage has been solemnized and that the
+averments in the petition are true, pass a decree of divorce declaring the marriage
+to be dissolved with effect from the date of the decree.
+14. No petition for divorce to be presented within one year of marriage.-
+(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, it shall not be competent for
+any Court to entertain any petition for dissolution of marriage by a decree of
+divorce, unless at the date of the presentation of the petition one year has elapsed
+since the date of the marriage:
+Provided that the court may, upon application made to it in accordance with such
+rules as may be made by the High Court in that behalf, allow a petition to be
+presented before one year has elapsed since the date of the marriage on the
+ground that the case is one of exceptional hardship to the petitioner or of
+exceptional depravity on the part of the respondent, but, if it appears to the court
+at the hearing of the petition that petitioner obtained leave to present the petition
+by any mis-representation or concealment of the nature of the case, the court may,
+if it pronounces a decree, do so subject to the condition that the decree shall not
+have effect until after the expiry of one year from the date of the marriage or may
+dismiss the petition without prejudice to any petition which may be brought after
+the expiration of the said one year upon the same or substantially the same facts
+as those alleged in support of the petition so dismissed.
+(2) In disposing of any application under this section for leave to present a petition
+for divorce before the expiration of one year from the date of the marriage, the
+court shall have regard to the interests of any children of the marriage and to the
+question whether there is a reasonable probability of a reconciliation between the
+parties before the expiration of the said one year. 
+15. Divorced persons. When may marry again.- When a marriage has been
+dissolved by a decree of divorce and either there is no right of appeal against the
+decree or, if there is such a right of appeal, the time for appealing has expired
+without an appeal having been presented, or an appeal has been presented but has
+been dismissed, it shall be lawful for either party to the marriage to marry again.
+16. Legitimacy of children of void and voidable marriages.-
+(1) Notwithstanding that a marriage is null and void under Section 11, any child of
+such marriage who would have been legitimate if the marriage had been valid,
+shall be legitimate, whether such a child is born before or after the commencement
+of the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976, and whether or not a decree of
+nullity is granted in respect of the marriage under this Act and whether or not the
+marriage is held to be void otherwise than on a petition under this Act.
+(2) Where a decree of nullity is granted in respect of a voidable marriage under
+Section 12, any child begotten or conceived before the decree is made, who would
+have been the legitimate child of the parties to the marriage if at the date of the
+decree it had been dissolved instead of being annulled, shall be deemed to be their
+legitimate child notwithstanding the decree of nullity.
+(3) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be construed as
+conferring upon any child of a marriage which is null and void or which is annulled
+by a decree of nullity under Section 12, any rights in or to the property of any
+person, other than the parents, in any case, where, but for the passing of this Act,
+such child would have been incapable of possessing or acquiring any such rights by
+reason of his not being the legitimate child of his parents.
+17. Punishment of Bigamy.- Any marriage between two Hindus solemnized after
+the commencement of this Act is void if at the date of such marriage either party
+had a husband or wife living; and the provisions of Sections 494 and 495 of the
+Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) shall apply accordingly.
+18. Punishment for contravention of certain other conditions for a Hindu
+marriage.- Every person who procures a marriage of himself or herself or to be
+solemnized under this Act in contravention of the conditions specified in clauses
+(iii), (iv), and (v) of Section 5 shall be punishable-
+(a) in the case of a contravention of the condition specified in clause (iii) of Section
+5, with simple imprisonment which may extend to fifteen days, or with fine which
+may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both;
+(b) in the case of a contravention of the condition specified in clause (iv) or clause
+(v) of Section 5, with simple imprisonment which may extend to one month, or
+with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both;
+(c) Clause (c) omitted by Act 2 of 1978.
+Jurisdiction and Procedure
+19. Court to which petition shall be presentedEvery petition under this Act shall be presented to the District Court within the local
+limits of whose ordinary original civil jurisdiction:
+(i) the marriage was solemnized, or
+(ii) the respondent, at the time of the presentation of the petition, resides, or
+(iii) the parties to the marriage last resided together, or
+(iv) the petitioner is residing at the time of the presentation of the petition, in a 
+case where the respondent is at that time, residing outside the territories to which
+this Act extends, or has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven
+years or more by those persons who would naturally have heard of him if he were
+alive.
+20. Contents and verification of Petitions.-(1) Every petition presented under
+this Act shall state as distinctly as the nature of the case permits the facts on which
+the claims to relief is founded and, except in a petition under Section 11, shall also
+state that there is no collusion between the petitioner and the other party to the
+marriage.
+(2) The statements contained in every petition under this Act shall be verified by
+the petitioner or some other competent person in the manner required by law for
+the verification of plaints, and may, at the hearing, be referred to as evidence.
+21. Application of Act 5 of 1908.- Subject to the other provisions contained in
+this Act and to such rules as the High Court may make in this behalf all
+proceedings under this Act shall be regulated, as far as may be, by the Code of
+Civil Procedure, 1908.
+21-A. Power to transfer petitions in certain cases.-(1)Where-
+(a) a petition under this Act has been presented to a District Court having
+jurisdiction by a party to marriage praying for a decree for a judicial separation
+under Section 10 or of a decree of divorce under Section 13; and
+(b) another petition under this Act has been presented thereafter by the other
+party to the marriage praying for a decree for judicial separation under Section 10
+or for a decree of divorce under Section 13 on any ground, whether in the same
+District Court or in a different District Court, in the same State or in a different
+State,
+the petitions shall be dealt with as specified in sub-section (2).
+(2) In a case where sub-section (1) applies,-
+(a) if the petitions are presented to the same District Court, both the petitions shall
+be tried and heard together by that District Court;
+(b) if the petition are presented to different District Courts, the petition presented
+later shall be transferred to the District Court in which the earlier petition was
+presented and both the petitions shall be heard and disposed of together by the
+district court in which the earlier petition was presented.
+(3) In a case where clause (b) of sub-section (2) applies, the court or the
+Government, as the case may be, competent under the Code of Civil Procedure, 5
+of 1908 to transfer any suit or proceeding from this District Court in which the later
+petition has been presented to the district court in which the earlier petition is
+pending, shall exercise its powers to transfer such later petition as if it had been
+empowered so to do under the said Code.
+21-B. Special provision relating to trial and disposal of petitions under the
+Act.-(1) The trial of a petition under this Act, shall, so far as is practicable
+consistently with the interests of justice in respect of the trial, be continued from
+day to day until its conclusion unless the Court finds the adjournment of the trial
+beyond the following day to be necessary for reasons to be recorded.
+(2) Every petition under this Act shall be tried as expeditiously as possible, and
+endeavour shall be made to conclude the trial within six months from the date of 
+service of notice of the petition on the respondent.
+(3) Every appeal under this Act shall be heard as expeditiously as possible, and
+endeavour shall be made to conclude the hearing within three months from the
+date of service of notice of appeal on the respondent.
+21.-C. Documentary evidence.- Notwithstanding anything in any enactment to
+the contrary, no document shall be inadmissible in evidence in any proceeding at
+the trial of a petition under this Act on the ground that it is not duly stamped or
+registered.
+22. Proceedings to be in camera and may not be printed or published.-(1)
+Every proceedings under this Act shall be conducted in camera and it shall not be
+lawful for any person to print or publish any matter in relation to any such
+proceeding except a judgment of the High Court or of the Supreme Court printed or
+published with the previous permission of the Court.
+(2) If any person prints or publishes any matter in contravention of the provisions
+contained in sub-section (1), he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to
+one thousand rupees.
+23. Decree in proceedings.-(1) In any proceeding under this Act, whether
+defended or not, if the Court is satisfied that-
+(a) any of the grounds for granting relief exists and the petitioner except in cases
+where the relief is sought by him on the grounds specified in sub-clause (a), subclause
+(b) and sub-clause (c) of clause (ii) of Section 5 is not any way taking
+advantage of his or her own wrong or disability for the purpose of such relief, and
+(b) where the ground of the petition is the ground specified in clause (i) of subsection
+(1) of Section 13, the petitioner has not in any manner been accessory to
+or connived at or condoned the act or acts complained of, or where the ground or
+the petition is cruelty the petitioner has not in any manner condoned the cruelty,
+and
+(bb) when a divorce is sought on the ground of mutual consent, such consent has
+not been obtained by force, fraud or undue influence, and
+(c) the petition not being a petition presented under section 11 is not presented or
+prosecuted in collusion with the respondent, and
+(d) there has not been any unnecessary or improper delay in instituting the
+proceeding, and
+(e) there is no other legal ground why relief should not be granted, then,and in
+such a case, but not otherwise, the court shall decree such relief accordingly.
+(2) Before proceeding to grant any relief under this Act, it shall be the duty of the
+Court in the first instance, in every case where it is possible so to do consistently
+with the nature and circumstances of the case, to make every endeavour to bring
+about a reconciliation between the parties:
+Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall apply to any proceeding
+wherein relief is sought on any of the grounds specified in clause (ii), clause (iii),
+clause (iv), clause (v), clause (vi) or clause (vii), of sub-section (1) of Section 13.
+(3) For the purpose of aiding the Court in bringing about such reconciliation, the
+court may, if the parties so desire or if the Court thinks it just and proper so to do
+adjourn the proceedings for a reasonable period not exceeding fifteen days and
+refer the matter to any person named by the parties in this behalf or to any person 
+nominated by the Court if the parties fail to name any person, with directions to
+report to the Court as to whether reconciliation can be and has been effected and
+the court shall in disposing of the proceeding have due regard to the report.
+(4) In every case where a marriage is dissolved by a decree of divorce, the court
+passing the decree shall give a copy thereof free of cost to each of the parties.
+23-A. Relief for respondent in divorce and other proceedings.- In any
+proceedings for divorce or judicial separation or restitution of conjugal rights, the
+respondent may not only oppose the relief sought on the ground of petitioner's
+adultery, cruelty or desertion, but also make a counter-claim for any relief under
+this Act on that ground; and if the petitioner's adultery, cruelty or desertion is
+proved, the Court may give to the respondent any relief under this Act to which he
+or she would have been entitled if he or she had presented a petition seeking such
+relief on that ground.
+24. Maintenance pendente lite and expenses of proceedings.-
+Where in any proceeding under this Act it appears to the Court that either the wife
+or the husband, as the case may be, has no independent income sufficient for her
+or his support and the necessary expenses of the proceeding, it may, on the
+application of the wife or the husband, order the respondent to pay the petitioner
+the expenses of the proceeding such sum as, having regard to the petitioner's own
+income and the income of the respondent, it may seem to the Court to be
+reasonable.
+25. Permanent alimony and maintenance.-(1) Any court exercising jurisdiction
+under this Act may, at the time of passing any decree or at any time subsequent
+thereto, on application made to it for the purposes by either the wife or the
+husband, as the case may be, order that the respondent shall pay to the applicant
+for her or his maintenance and support such gross sum or such monthly or
+periodical sum for a term not exceeding the life of the applicant as, having regard
+to the respondent's own income and other property of the applicant, the conduct of
+the parties and other circumstances of the case, it may seem to the Court to be
+just, and any such payment may be secured, if necessary, by a charge on the
+immoveable property of the respondent.
+(2) If the Court is satisfied that there is a change in the circumstances of either
+party at any time after it has made an order under sub-section (1), it may at the
+instance of either party, vary, modify or rescind any such order in such manner as
+the court may deem just.
+(3) If the Court is satisfied that the party in whose favour an order has been made
+under this Section has re-married or, if such party is the wife, that she has not
+remained chaste or if such party is the husband, that he has had sexual intercourse
+with any woman outside wedlock, it may at the instance of the other party vary,
+modify or rescind any such order in such manner as the court may deem just.
+26. Custody of children.- In any proceeding under this Act, the Court may, from
+time to time, pass such interim orders and make such provisions in the decree as it
+may deem just and proper with respect to the custody, maintenance and education
+of minor children, consistently with their wishes, wherever possible, and may, after
+the decree, upon application by petition for the purpose, make from time to time,
+all such orders and provisions with respect to the custody, maintenance and 
+education of such children as might have been made by such decree or interim
+orders in case the proceedings for obtaining such decree were still pending, and
+the Court may also from time to time revoke, suspend or vary any such orders and
+provisions previously made.
+27. Disposal of property.-In any proceeding under this Act, the Court may make
+such provisions in the decree as it deems just and proper with respect to any
+property presented at or about the time of marriage, which may belong jointly to
+both the husband and the wife.
+28. Appeals from decrees and orders.-(1) All decrees made by Court in any
+proceeding under this Act shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), be
+appealable as decrees of the Court made in the exercise of its original civil
+jurisdiction and every such appeal shall lie to the Court to which appeals ordinarily
+lie from the decisions of the Court given in the exercise of its original civil
+jurisdiction.
+(2) Orders made by the Court in any proceedings under this Act, under Section 25
+or Section 26 shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), be appealable if
+they are not interim orders and every such appeal shall lie to the Court to which
+appeals ordinarily lie from the decisions of the Court given in exercise of its original
+civil jurisdiction.
+(3) There shall be no appeal under this section on subject of costs only.
+(4) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty days
+from the date of the decree or order.
+28(A) Enforcement of decrees and orders.- All decrees and orders made by
+the Court in any proceeding under this Act, shall be enforced in the like manner as
+the decrees and orders of the Court made in the exercise of its original civil
+jurisdiction for the time being enforced.
+29. Savings.-(1) A marriage solemnized between Hindus before the
+commencement of this Act, which is otherwise valid, shall not be deemed to be
+invalid or ever to have been invalid by reason only of the fact that the parties
+thereto belonged to the same gotra or pravara or belonged to different religion,
+castes or sub-divisions of the same caste.
+(2) Nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to affect any right recognised by
+custom or conferred by any special enactment to obtain the dissolution of a Hindu
+Marriage, whether solemnized before or after the commencement of this Act.
+(3) Nothing contained in this Act shall affect any proceeding under any law for the
+time being in force for declaring any marriage to be null and void or for annulling
+or dissolving any marriage or for judicial, separation pending at the
+commencement of this Act, and any such proceeding may be continued and
+determined as if this Act had not been passed.
+(4) Nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to effect the provisions contained
+in the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954), with respect to marriages between
+Hindus solemnized under that Act, whether before or after the commencement of
+this Act.
+30. Repeals.- (Repealed by the Repealing and Amendment Act, 1960 (58 of
+1960), Sec. 2 and the First Schedule.) 
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+The Special Marriage Act-1954
+(Act No.43 of 1954)[9th October 1954]
+An Act to provide a special form of marriage in certain cases, for the registration
+of such and certain other marriages and for divorce. Be it enacted by Parliament
+in the Fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:
+CHAPTER 1
+Preliminary
+1. Short title, extent and commencement- (1) This Act may be called the Special
+Marriage Act, 1954.
+(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and
+applies also to citizens of India domiciled in the territories to which the Act
+extends who are in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
+(3) It shall come into force on such date, i.e.1st January, 1955 as the Central
+Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
+2. Definitions- In this Act, unless the context otherwise, requires,-
+(a) (* * * *) Omitted
+(b) "degrees of prohibited relationship" - a man and any of the persons mentioned
+in Part I of the First Schedule and a woman and any of the persons mentioned in
+Part II of the said Schedules are within the degrees of prohibited relationship.
+Explanation I.- Relationship includes,- a) relationship by half or uterine blood as
+well as by full blood: b) illegitimate blood relationship as well as legitimate; c)
+relationship by adoption as well as by blood;
+and all terms of relationship in this Act shall be construed accordingly.
+Explanation II.- "Full blood" and "half blood"- two persons are said to be related
+to each other by full blood when they are descended from a common ancestor by
+the same wife and by half blood when they are descended from a common
+ancestor but by different wives.
+Explanation III.- "Uterine blood"- two persons are said to be related to each other
+by uterine blood when they are descended from a common ancestress but by
+different husbands.
+Explanation IV.-In Explns. II and III. "ancestor" includes the father and
+"ancestress" the mother;
+(d) "district", in relation to a Marriage Officer, means the area for which he is
+appointed as such under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of Sec.3;
+(e) "District Court" means, in any area for which there is a City Civil Court, and
+in any other area, the principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction, and includes 
+any other Civil Court which may be specified by the State Government by
+notification in the Official Gazette as having jurisdiction in respect of the matters
+dealt with in this Act:
+(f) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
+(g) "State Government", in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator
+thereof.
+Chapter II
+Solemnization of Special Marriages
+4. Conditions relating to solemnization of special marriage.-
+Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force
+relating to the solemnization of marriages, a marriage between any two persons
+may be solemnized under this Act, if at the time of the marriage the following
+conditions are fulfilled namely: (a) Neither party has a spouse living: (b) neither
+party- (i) is incapable of giving a valid consent to it in consequence of
+unsoundness of mind, or (ii) though capable of giving a valid consent, has been
+suffering from mental disorder of such a kind or to such an extent as to be unfit
+for marriage and the procreation of children; or (iii) has been subject to recurrent
+attacks of insanity or epilepsy; (c) the male has completed the age of twenty-one
+years and the female the age of eighteen years; (d) the parties are not within the
+degrees of prohibited relationship: Provided that where a custom governing at
+least one of the parties permits of a marriage between them, such marriage may
+be solemnized, notwithstanding that they are within the degrees of prohibited
+relationship: and
+(e) where the marriage is solemnized in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, both
+parties are citizens of India domiciled in the territories to which this Act extends.
+Explanation- In this section, "customs, in relation to a person belonging to any
+tribe, community, group or family, means any rule which the State Government
+may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf as applicable to
+members of that tribe, community, group or family:
+Provided that no such notification shall be issued in relation to the members of
+any tribes, community, group or family, unless the State Government is satisfied-
+(i) that such rule has been continuously and uniformly observed for a long time
+among those members; (ii) that such rule is certain and not unreasonable or
+opposed to public policy; and (iii) that such rule is applicable only to a family,
+has not been discontinued by the family.
+5. Notices of intended marriage.- When a marriage is intended to be solemnized
+under this Act, the parties of the marriage shall give notice thereof in writing in
+the Form specified in the Second Schedule to the Marriage Officer of the district
+in which at least one of the parties to the marriage has resided for a period of not 
+less than thirty days immediately preceding the date on which such notice is
+given.
+6. Marriage Notice Book and publication.-(1) The Marriage Officer shall keep all
+notices given under Sec. 5 with the records of his office and shall also forthwith
+enter a true copy of every such notice in a book prescribed for that purpose, to be
+called the Marriage Notice Book, and such book shall be open for inspection at
+all reasonable times, without fee, by any person desirous of inspecting the same.
+(2) The Marriage Officer shall cause every such notice to be published by affixing
+a copy thereof to some conspicuous place in his office. (3) Where either of the
+parties to an intended marriage is not permanently residing within the local limits
+of the district of the Marriage Officer to whom the notice has been given under
+Sec. 5, the Marriage Officer shall also cause a copy of such notice to be
+transmitted to the Marriage Officer of the district within whose limits such party
+is permanently residing, and that Marriage Officer shall thereupon cause a copy
+thereof to be affixed to some conspicuous place in his office.
+7. Objection to marriage.- (1) Any person may, before the expiration of thirty
+days from the date on which any such notice has been published under sub-section
+(2) of Sec. 6, object to the marriage on the ground that it would contravene one
+or more of the conditions specified in Sec.4. (2)After the expiration of thirty days
+from the date on which notice of an intended marriage has been published under
+sub-section (2) of Sec. 6, the marriage may be solemnized, unless it has been
+previously objected to under sub-section (1). (3) The nature of the objection shall
+be recorded in writing by the Marriage Officer in the Marriage Notice Book, be
+read over and explained if necessary, to the person making the objection and shall
+be signed by him or on his behalf.
+8. Procedure on receipt of objection.- If an objection is made under Sec. 7 to an
+intended marriage the Marriage Officer shall not solemnize the marriage until he
+has inquired into the matter of the objection and is satisfied that it ought not to
+prevent the solemnization of the marriage or the objection is withdraw by the
+person making it; but the Marriage Officer shall not take more than thirty days
+from the date of the objection for the purpose of inquiring into the matter of the
+objection and arriving at a decision. (2) If the Marriage Officer upholds the
+objection and refuses to solemnize the marriage, either party to the intended
+marriage may, within a period of thirty days from the date of such refusal, prefer
+an appeal to the District Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the
+Marriage Officer has his office, and the decision of the District Court on such
+appeal shall be final, and the Marriage Officer shall act in conformity with the
+decision of the Court.
+9. Powers of Marriage Officers in respect of inquiries.- (1)For the purpose of any
+inquiry under Sec.8, the Marriage Officer shall have all the powers vested in a
+Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908(5 of 1908), when trying a
+suit in respect of the following matters, namely: (a) summoning and enforcing the 
+attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath; (b) discovery and
+inspection; (c) compelling the production of documents; (d) reception of evidence
+on affidavits; and (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses;and
+any proceeding before the Marriage Officer shall be deemed to be a judicial
+proceeding within the meaning of Sec.193 of the Indian Penal Code(45 of 1960).
+2) If it appears to the Marriage Officer that the objection made to an intended
+marriage is not reasonable and has not been made in good faith he may impose
+on the person objecting costs, by way of compensation not exceeding one
+thousand rupees, and award the whole, or any part thereof to the parties to the
+intended marriage, and any order of costs so made may be executed in the same
+manner as a decree passed by the District Court within the local limits of whose
+jurisdiction the Marriage Officer has his office.
+10. Procedure on receipt of objection by Marriage Officer abroad.- Where an
+objection is made under Sec.7 to a Marriage Officer in the State of Jammu and
+Kashmir in respect of an intended marriage in the State and the Marriage Officer,
+after making such inquiry into the matter as he thinks fit, entertains a doubt in
+respect thereof, he shall not solemnize the marriage but shall transmit the record
+with such statement respecting the matter as he thinks fit to the Central
+Government, and the Central Government, after making such inquiry into the
+matter and after obtaining such advice as it thinks fit, shall give its decision
+thereon in writing to the Marriage Officer shall act in conformity with the
+decision of the Central Government.
+11. Declaration by parties and witnesses.- Before the marriage is solemnized the
+parties and three witnesses shall, in the presence of the Marriage Officer, sign a
+declaration in the Form specified in the Third Schedule to this Act, and the
+declaration shall be countersigned by the Marriage Officer.
+12. Place and form of solemnization.- (1) The marriage may be solemnized at the
+office of the Marriage Officer or at such other place within a reasonable distance
+therefrom as the parties may desire, and upon such conditions and the payments
+of such additional fees as may be prescribed. 2) The marriage may be solemnized
+in any form which the parties may choose to adopt: Provided that it shall not be
+complete and binding on the parties unless each party says to the other in the
+presence of the Marriage Officer and the three witnessess and in any language
+understood by the parties,- "I (A) take thee (B), to be my lawful wife (or
+husband)".
+13. Certificate of marriage.-(1) When the marriage has been solemnized the
+Marriage Officer shall enter a certificate thereof in the Form specified in the
+Fourth Schedule in a book to be kept by him for that purpose and to be called the
+Marriage Certificate Book and such certificate shall be signed by the parties to
+the marriage and the three witnesses. (2) On a certificate being entered in the
+Marriage Certificate Book by the Marriage Officer, the certificate shall be
+deemed to be conclusive evidence of the fact that a marriage under this Act has 
+been solemnized and that all formalities respecting the signatures of witnesses
+have been complied with.
+14. New notice when marriage not solemnized within three months.-Whenever a
+marriage is not solemnized within three calender months from the date on which
+notice thereof has been given to the Marriage Officer as required by Sec. 5 or
+where an appeal has been filed under sub-section (2) of Sec.8, within three
+months from the date of the decision of the District Court on such appeal or where
+the record of a case has been transmitted to the Central Government under Sec.10,
+within three months from the date of decision of the Central Government, the
+notice and all other proceedings arising therefrom shall be deemed to have lapsed,
+and no marriage Officer shall solemnize the marriage until a new notice has been
+given in the manner laid down in this Act.
+CHAPTER III
+Registration of Marriage Celebrated in other forms
+15. Registration of marriages celebrated in other forms.- Any marriage
+celebrated, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, other than a
+marriage solemnized under the Special Marriage Act, 1872 or under this Act, may
+be registered under this Chapter by a Marriage Officer in the territories to which
+this Act extends if the following conditions are fulfilled, namely:
+(a) a ceremony of marriage has been performed between the parties and they have
+been living together as husband and wife ever since (b) neither party has at the
+time of registration more than one spouse living; (c) neither party is an idiot or a
+lunatic at the time of registration: (d) the parties have completed the age of
+twenty-one year at the time of registration; (e) the parties are not within the
+degrees of prohibited relationship: Provided that in case of a marriage celebrated
+before the commencement of this Act, this condition shall be subject to any law,
+custom or usage having the force of law governing each of them which permits
+of a marriage between the two; and (f) the parties have been residing within the
+district of the Marriage Officer for a period of not less than thirty days
+immediately preceding the date on which the application is made to him for
+registration of the marriage.
+16. Procedure for registration.- Upon receipt of an application signed by both the
+parties to the marriage for the registration of their under this chapter, the Marriage
+Officer shall give public notice thereof in such manner as may be prescribed and
+after allowing a period of thirty days for objection and after hearing any objection
+received within that period, shall, if satisfied that all the conditions mentioned in
+Sec. 15 are fulfilled, enter a certificate of the marriage in the Marriage Certificate 
+Book in the Form specified in the Fifth Schedule and such certificate shall be
+signed by the parties to the marriage and by three witnesses.
+17. Appeals from orders under Sec. 16.- Any person aggrieved by any order of a
+Marriage Officer refusing to register a marriage under this Chapter may, within
+thirty days from the date of order, appeal against that order to the District Court
+within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the Marriage Officer has his office,
+and the decision of the District Court on such appeal shall be final, and the
+Marriage Officer to whom the application was made shall act in conformity with
+such decision.
+18. Effect of registration of marriage under this Chapter.- Subject to the
+provisions contained in sub-section (2) of Sec.24 where a certificate of marriage
+has been finally entered in the Marriage Certificate Book under this Chapter, the
+marriage shall, as from the date of such entry, be deemed to be a marriage
+solemnized under this Act, and all children born after the date of the ceremony of
+marriage (whose names shall also be entered in the Marriage Certificate Book)
+shall in all respects be deemed to be and always to have been the legitimate
+children of their parents: Provided that nothing contained in this section shall be
+construed as conferring upon any such children any rights in or to the property of
+any person other than their parents in any case where, but for the passing of this
+Act, such children would have been incapable of possessing or acquiring any such
+rights by reason of their not being the legitimate children of their parents. 
+CHAPTER IV
+Consequences of Marriage under this Act
+19. Effect of marriage on member of undivided family- The marriage solemnized
+under this Act of any member of an undivided family who professes the Hindu,
+Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina religion shall be deemed to effect his severance from such
+family.
+20. Rights and disabilities not affected by Act.- Subject to the provisions of Sec.
+19, any person whose marriage is solemnized under this Act, shall have the same
+rights and shall be subject to the same disabilities in regard to the right of
+succession to any property as a person to whom the Caste Disabilities Removal
+Act, 1850 (21 of 1850), applies.
+21. Succession to property of parties married under Act.- Notwithstanding any
+restrictions contained in the Indian Succession Act,1925 (39 of 1925), with
+respect to its application to members of certain communities, succession to the
+property of any person whose marriage is solemnized under this Act and to the
+property of the issue of such marriage shall be regulated by the provisions of the
+said Act and for the purposes of this section that Act shall have effect as if Chapter
+III of Part V (Special Rules for Parsi Intestates) had been omitted therefrom. 21-
+A. Special provision in certain cases .- Where the marriage is solemnized under
+this Act of any person who professes the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jain religion
+with a person who professes the Hindu, Buddhish, Sikh or Jain religion. Secs. 19
+and 21 shall not apply and so much of Sec. 20 as creates a disability shall also not
+apply.
+CHAPTER V
+Restitution of Conjugal Rights and Judicial Separation
+22. Restitution of conjugal rights.- When either the husband or the wife has,
+without reasonable excuse, withdrawn from the society of the other the aggrieved
+party may apply by petition to the District Court for restitution of conjugal rights,
+and the Court, on being satisfied of the truth of the statements made in such
+petition, and that there is no legal ground why the application should not be
+granted, may decree restitution of conjugal rights accordingly. ExplanationWhere a question arises whether there has been reasonable excuse for withdrawal
+from the society, the burden of proving reasonable excuse shall be on the person
+who has withdrawn from the society.
+23. Judicial separation.-(1) A Petition for judicial separation may be presented to
+the District Court either by the husband or the wife.- (a) on any of the grounds
+specified in sub-section (1) and sub-section (1-A) of Sec. 27 on which a petition
+for divorce might have been presented;or (b) on the grounds of failure to comply
+with a decree for restitution of conjugal rights and the Court, on being satisfied 
+of the truth of the statements made in such petition, and that there is no legal
+ground why the application should not be granted, may decree judicial separation
+accordingly. (2) Where the Court grants a decree for judicial separation, it shall
+be no longer obligatory for the petitioner to cohabit with the respondent, but the
+Court may, on the application by petition of either party and on being satisfied of
+the truth of the statements made in such petition rescind the decree if it considers
+it just and reasonable to do so.
+CHAPTER VI
+Nullity of Marriage and Divorce
+24. Void marriages.- (1) Any marriage solemnized under this Act shall be null
+and void (and may, on a petition presented by either party thereto against the other
+party, be so declared) by a decree of nullity if- (i) any of the conditions specified
+in Cls.(a),(b), (c) and (d) of Sec. 4 has not been fulfilled : or (ii) the respondent
+was impotent at the time of the marriage and at the time of the institution of the
+suit. (2) Nothing contained in this section shall apply to any marriage deemed to
+be solemnized under the Act within the meaning of Sec. 18, but the registration
+of any such marriage under Chapter III may be declared to be of no effect if the
+registration was in contravention of any of the conditions specified in Cls.(a) to
+(e) of Sec. 15: Provided that no such declaration shall be made in any case where
+an appeal has been preferred under Sec.17 and the decision of the District Court
+has become final.
+25. Voidable marriages.- Any marriage solemnized under this Act shall be
+voidable and may be annulled by a decree of nullity, if- (i) the marriage has not
+been consummated owing to the wilful refusal of the respondent to consummate
+the marriage ;or (ii) the respondent was at the time of the marriage pregnant by
+some person other than the petitioner; or (iii) the consent of either party to the
+marriage was obtained by coercion or fraud, as defined in the Indian Contract
+Act, 1872 (9 of 1872): Provided that in the case specified in Cl.(ii) the Court shall
+not grant a decree unless it is satisfied- (a) that the petitioner was at the time of
+the marriage ignorant of the facts alleged; (b) that proceedings were instituted
+within a year from the date of the marriage; and (c) the marital intercourse with
+the consent of the petitioner has not taken place since the discovery by the
+petitioner of existence of the grounds a decree : Provided further that in the case
+specified in Cl.(iii), the Court shall not grant a decree if,- (a) proceedings have
+not been instituted within one year after the coercion had ceased or, as the case
+may be, the fraud had been discovered; or (b) the petitioner has with his or her
+free consent lived with the other party to the marriage as husband and wife after
+the coercion had ceased or as the case may be, the fraud had been discovered.
+26. Legitimacy of children of void and voidable marriages.- (1) Notwithstanding
+that a marriage is null and void under Sec. 24, any child of such marriage who
+would have been legitimate if the marriage had been valid, shall be legitimate, 
+whether such child is born before or after the commencement of the Marriage
+Laws(Amendment) Act, 1976, and whether or not a decree of nullity is granted
+in respect of that marriage under this Act and whether or not the marriage is held
+to be void otherwise than on a petition under this Act. (2) Where a decree of
+nullity is granted in respect of a voidable marriage under Sec.25, any child
+begotten or conceived before the decree is made, who would have been the
+legitimate child of the parties to the marriage if at the date of the decree it has
+been dissolved instead of being annulled, shall be deemed to be their legitimate
+child notwithstanding the decree of nullity. (3) Nothing contained in sub-section
+(1) or sub-section (2) shall be construed as conferring upon any child of a
+marriage which is null and void or which is annulled by a decree of nullity under
+Sec. 25, any rights in or to the property of any person, other than the parents, in
+any case, where, but for the passing of this Act, such child would have been
+incapable of possessing or requiring any such rights by reason of his not being
+the legitimate child of his parents.
+27. Divorce.-(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to the rules made
+thereunder, a petition for divorce may be presented to the District Court either by
+the husband or the wife on the ground that the respondent-
+(a) has, after the solemnization of the marriage had voluntary sexual intercourse
+with any person other than his or her spouse; or (b) has deserted the petitioner for
+a continuous period of not less than two years immediately proceeding the
+presentation of the petition; or (c) is undergoing a sentence of imprisonment for
+seven years or more for an offence as defined in the Indian Penal Code (45 of
+1860); or (d) has since the solemnization of the marriage treated the petitioner
+with cruelty; or (e) has been incurably of unsound mind, or has been suffering
+continuously or intermittently from mental disorder of such a kind, and to such
+an extent that the petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to live with the
+respondent.
+Explanation- In this Clause- (a) the expression "mental disorder" means mental
+illness, arrested or incomplete development of mind, psychopathic disorder or
+any other disorder or disability of mind and includes schizophrenia; (b) the
+expression "psychopathic disorder" means a persistent disorder or disability of
+mind (whether or not including sub-normality of intelligence) which results in
+abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct on the part of the
+respondent and whether or not it requires or is susceptible to medical treatment;
+or (f) has been suffering from venereal disease in a communicable form; or (g)
+has been suffering from leprosy, the disease not having been contracted from the
+petitioner; or (h) has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven years
+or more by those persons who would naturally have heard of the respondent if the
+respondent had been alive;
+Explanation- In this sub-section, the expression "desertion" means desertion of
+the petitioner by the other party to the marriage without reasonable cause and 
+without the consent or against the wish of such party and includes the wilful
+neglect of the petitioner by the other party to the marriage, and its grammatical
+variations and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly. (1-A) A wife
+may also present a petitioner for divorce to the District Court on the ground.- (i)
+that her husband has, since the solemnization of the marriage, been guilty of rape,
+sodomy or bestiality; (ii) that in a suit under Sec. 18 of the Hindus Adoptions and
+Maintenance Act, 1956 (78 of 1956), or in a proceeding under Sec. 125 of the
+Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), or under the corresponding Sec.
+488 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), a decree or order, as
+the case may be, has been passed against the husband awarding maintenance to
+the wife notwithstanding that she was living apart and that since the passing of
+such decree or order, cohabitation between the parties has not been resumed for
+one year or upwards. (2) Subject to the provisions of the Act and to the Rules
+made thereunder, either party to a marriage, whether solemnized before or after
+the commencement of the Special Marriage (Amendment) Act, 1970, may
+present a petition for divorce to the District Court on the ground- (i) that there has
+been no resumption of cohabitation as between the parties to the marriage for a
+period of one year or upwards after the passing of a decree for judicial separation
+in a proceeding to which they were parties; or (ii) that there has been no restitution
+of conjugal rights as between the parties to the marriage for a period of one year
+or upwards after the passing of a decree for restitution of conjugal rights in a
+proceeding to which they were parties. 27-A. Alternate relief in divorce
+proceedings- In any proceeding under this Act, on a petition for a dissolution of
+marriage by a decree of divorce, except in so far as the petition is founded on the
+ground mentioned in Cl. (h) of sub-section (1) of Sec. 27, the Court may, if it
+considers it just so to do, having regard to the circumstances of the case, pass
+instead a decree for judicial separation.
+28. Divorce by mutual consent.-(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to
+the rules made thereunder, a petition for divorce may be presented to the District
+Court by both the parties together on the ground that they have been living
+separately for a period of one year or more, that they have not been able to live
+together and that they have mutually agreed that the marriage should be dissolved.
+(2) On the motion of both the parties made not earlier than six months after the
+date of the presentation of the petition referred to in sub-section (1) and not later
+than eighteen months after the said date, if the petition is not withdrawn in the
+meantime, the District Court shall, on being satisfied, after hearing the parties and
+after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, that a marriage has been solemnized
+under this Act and that the avertments in the petition are true, pass a decree
+declaring the marriage to be dissolved with effect from the date of the decree.
+29. Restriction on petitions for divorce during first three years after marriage.-(1)
+No petition for divorce shall be presented to the District Court unless at the date
+of the presentation of the petition one year has passed since the date of entering 
+the certificate of marriage in the Marriage Certificate Book: Provided that the
+District Court may, upon application being made to it allow a petition to be
+presented before one year has passed on the ground that the case is one of
+exceptional hardship suffered by the petitioner or of exceptional depravity on the
+part of the respondent, but if it appears to the District Court at the hearing of the
+Petition that the petitioner obtained leave to present the petition by any
+misrepresentation or concealment of the nature of the case, the District Court
+may, if it pronounces a decree, do so subject to the condition that the decree shall
+not have effect until after the expiry of one year from the date of the marriage or
+may dismiss the petition, without prejudice to any petition, which may be brought
+after the expiration of the said one year upon the same or substantially the same
+facts, as those proved in support of the petition so dismissed. (2) In disposing of
+any application under this section for leave to present a petition for divorce before
+the expiration of one year from the date of the marriage, the District Court shall
+have regard to the interests of any children of the marriage, and to the question
+whether there is a reasonable probability of a reconciliation between the parties
+before the expiration of the said one year.
+30. Re-marriage of divorced persons- Where a marriage has been dissolved by a
+decree of divorce, and either there is no right of appeal against the decree or if
+there is such a right of appeal, the time for appealing has expired without an
+appeal having been presented or an appeal has been presented but has been
+dismissed, either party to the marriage may marry again.
+CHAPTER VII
+Jurisdiction and Procedure
+31. Court to which petition should be made.- (1) Every petition under Chapter V
+or Chapter VI shall be presented to the District Court within the local limits of
+whose original civil jurisdiction- (i) the marriage was solemnized; or (ii)the
+respondent, at the time of the presentation of the petition resides; or (iii) the
+parties to the marriage last resided together; or (iv) the petitioner is residing at the
+time of the presentation of the petition, in a case where the respondent is, at that
+time, residing outside the territories to which this Act extends or has not been
+heard of as being alive for a period of seven years by those who would naturally
+have heard of him if he was alive. (2) Without prejudice to any jurisdiction
+exercisable by the Court under sub-section (1), the District Court may, by virtue
+of this sub-section, entertain a petition by a wife domiciled in the territories to
+which this Act extends for nullity of marriage or for divorce if she is resident in
+the said territories and has been ordinarily resident , therein for a period of three
+years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition and the husband is
+not resident in the said territories.
+32. Contents and verification of petitions.- (1) Every petition under Chapter V or
+Chapter VI shall state, as distinctly as the nature of the case permits, the facts on 
+which the claim to relief is founded and shall also state that there is no collusion
+between the petitioner and the other party to the marriage. (2) The statements
+contained in every such petition shall be verified by the petitioner or some other
+competent person in the manner required by law for the verification of plaints and
+may, at the hearing, be referred to as evidence.
+33. Proceedings to be in camera and may not be printed or published.- (1) Every
+proceeding under this Act shall be conducted in camera and it shall not be lawful
+for any person to print or publish any matter in relation to any such proceeding
+except a judgment of the High Court or of the Supreme Court printed or published
+with the previous permission of the Court. (2) If any person prints or publishes
+any matter in contravention of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), he shall
+be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
+34. Duty of Court in passing decrees.-(1) In any proceeding under Chapter V or
+Chapter VI, whether defended or not, if the Court if satisfied that,- (a) any of the
+grounds for granting relief exists; and (b) where the petition is founded on the
+ground specified in Cl.(a) of sub-section (1) of Sec. 27, the petitioner has not in
+any manner been accessory to or connived at or condoned the act of sexual
+intercourse referred to therein or where the ground of the petition is cruelty, the
+petitioner has not in any manner condoned the cruelty; and (c) when divorce is
+sought on the ground of mutual consent, such consent has not been obtained by
+force, fraud or undue influence; and (d) the petition is not presented or prosecuted
+in collusion with the respondent; and (e) there has not been any unnecessary or
+improper delay in instituting the proceedings; and (f) there is no other legal
+ground why the relief should not be granted; then, and in such a case, but not
+otherwise, the Court shall decree such relief accordingly. (2) Before proceeding
+to grant any relief under this Act it shall be the duty of the Court in the first
+instance, in every case where it is possible so to do consistently with the nature
+and circumstances of the case, to make every endeavour to bring about a
+reconciliation between the parties : Provided that nothing contained in this subsection shall apply to any proceeding wherein relief is sought on any of the
+grounds specified in Cls.(c), (e), (f), (g) and (h) of sub-section (1) of Sec.27. (3)
+For the purpose of aiding the Court in bringing about such reconciliation, the
+Court may, if the parties so desire or if the Court thinks it just and proper so to
+do, adjourn the proceedings for a reasonable period not exceeding fifteen days,
+and refer the matter to any person named by the parties in this behalf or to any
+person nominated by the Court if the parties fail to name any person, with
+directions to report to the Court as to whether reconciliation can be and has been
+effected and the Court shall in disposing of the proceeding have due regard to the
+report. (4) In every case where a marriage is dissolved by a decree of divorce, the
+Court passing the decree shall give a copy thereof free of cost to each of the
+parties. 
+35. Relief for respondent in divorce and other proceedings.-- In any proceeding
+for divorce or judicial separation or restitution of conjugal rights, the respondent
+may not only oppose the relief sought on the ground of petitioner's adultery,
+cruelty or desertion, but also make counter-claim for any relief under this Act on
+that ground, and if the petitioner's adultery, cruelty or desertion is proved, the
+Court may give to the respondent any relief under this Act to which he or she
+would have been entitled if he or she had presented a petition seeking such relief
+on that ground.
+36. Alimony pendente lite.-- Where in any proceeding under Chapter V or
+Chapter VI it appears to the District Court that the wife has no independent
+income sufficient for her support and the necessary expenses of the proceeding,
+it may, on the application of the wife, order the husband to pay to her the expenses
+of the proceeding, and weekly or monthly during the proceeding such sum as
+having regard to the husband's income, it may seem to the Court to be reasonable.
+37. Permanent alimony and maintenance.--(1) Any Court exercising jurisdiction
+under Chapter V or Chapter VI may, at the time of passing any decree or at any
+time subsequent to the decree, on application made to it for the purpose, order
+that the husband shall secure to the wife for her maintenance and support, if
+necessary, by a charge on the husband's property, such gross sum or such monthly
+or periodical payment of money for a term not exceeding her life, as having regard
+to her own property, if any, her husband's property and ability, the conduct of the
+parties and other circumstances of the case it may seem to the Court to be just.
+(2) If the District Court is satisfied that there is a change in the circumstances of
+either party at any time after it has made an order under sub-section (1), it may at
+the instance of either party, vary, modify or rescind any such order in such manner
+as it may seem to the Court to be just. (3) If the District Court is satisfied that the
+wife in whose favour an order has been made under this section has remarried or
+is not leading a chaste life, it may, at the instance of the husband vary, modify or
+rescind any such order and in such manner as the Court may deem just.
+38. Custody of children.-- In any proceeding under Chapter V or Chapter VI the
+District Court may, from time to time, pass such interim orders and make such
+provisions in the decree as it may seem to it to be just and proper with respect to
+the custody, maintenance and education of minor children, consistently with their
+wishes wherever possible, and may, after the decree, upon application by petition
+for the purpose, make, revoke, suspend or vary, from time to time, all such orders
+and provisions with respect to the custody, maintenance and education of such
+children as might have been made by such decree or interim orders in case the
+proceeding for obtaining such decree were still pending.
+39. Appeals from decrees and orders.--(1) All decrees made by the Court in any
+proceeding under Chapter V or Chapter VI shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (3), be appealable as decrees of the Court made in the exercise of its
+original civil jurisdiction, and such appeal shall lie to the Court to which appeals 
+ordinarily lie from the decisions of the Court given in the exercise of its original
+civil jurisdiction. (2) Orders made by the Court in any proceeding under this Act
+under Sec.37 or Sec.38 shall subject to the provisions of Sub-section (3), be
+appealable if they are not interim orders, and every such appeal shall lie to the
+Court to which appeals ordinarily lie from the decisions of the Court given in the
+exercise of its original civil jurisdiction. (3) There shall be no appeal under this
+section on the subject of the costs only. (4) Every appeal under this section shall
+be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date of the decree or order.
+39-A. Enforcement of decrees and orders.-- All decrees and orders made by the
+Court in any proceeding under Chapter V or Chapter VI shall be enforced in the
+like manner as the decrees and orders of the Court made in the exercise of its
+original civil jurisdiction for the time being are enforced.
+40. Application of Act 5 of 1908.-- Subject to the other provisions contained in
+this Act, and to such rules as the High Court may make in this behalf, all
+proceedings under this Act shall be regulated, as far as may be, by the Code of
+Civil Procedure, 1908.
+40-A. Power to transfer petitions in certain cases.--(1) Where-- (a) a petition
+under this Act has been presented to the District Court having jurisdiction by a
+party to the marriage praying for a decree for judicial separation under Sec.23 or
+for a decree of divorce under Sec.27, and (b) another petition under this act has
+been presented thereafter by the other party to the marriage praying for decree for
+judicial separation under Sec.23, or for decree of divorce under Sec.27 on any
+ground whether in the same District Court or in a different District Court, in the
+same State or in a different State. the petition shall be dealt with as specified in
+sub-section (2). (2) In a case where sub-section (1) applies.-- (a) if the petitions
+are presented to the same District Court, both the petitions shall be tried and heard
+together by that District Court : (b) if the petitions are presented to different
+District Courts the petition presented later shall be transferred to the District
+Court in which the earlier petition was presented and both the petitions shall be
+heard and disposed of together by the District Court in which the earlier petition
+was presented. (3) In a case where Cl. (b) of sub-section (2) applies, the Court or
+the Government, as the case may be, competent under the Code of Civil
+Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), to transfer any suit or proceeding from the District
+Court in which the later petition has been presented to the District Court in which
+the earlier petition is pending shall exercise its powers to transfer such later
+petition as if it had been empowered so to do under the said Code.
+40-B. Special provision relating to trial and disposal of petitions under the Act.-
+(1) The trial of a petition under this Act shall so far as is practicable consistently
+with the interests of justice in respect of the trial, be continued from day to day
+until its conclusion, unless the Court finds the adjournment of the trial beyond the
+following day to be necessary for reasons to be recorded. (2) Every petition under
+this Act shall be tried as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made 
+to conclude the trial within six months from the date of service of notice of the
+petition on the respondent. (3) Every appeal under this Act shall be heard as
+expeditiously as possible, and endeavour shall be made to conclude the hearing
+within three months from the date of service of notice of appeal on the respondent.
+40-C. Documentary evidence.-- Notwithstanding anything contained in any
+enactment to the contrary, no document shall be inadmissible in evidence in any
+proceeding at the trial of a petition under this Act on the ground that it is not duly
+stamped or registered.
+41. Power of High Court to make rules regulating procedure.--(1) The High Court
+shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, make such rules consistent with the
+provisions contained in this Act and the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of
+1908), as it may consider expedient for the purpose of carrying into effect the
+provisions of Chapters V, VI and VII. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to
+the generality of the foregoing provision, such rules shall provide for.-- (a) the
+impleading by the petitioner of the adulterer as a co-respondent on a petition for
+divorce on the ground of adultery, and the circumstances in which the petitioner
+may be excused from doing so: (b) the awarding of damages against any such corespondent, (c) the intervention in any proceeding under Chapter V or Chapter VI
+by any person not already a party thereto : (d) the form and contents of petitions
+for nullity of marriage or for divorce and the payment of costs incurred by parties
+to such petitions ; and (e) any other matter for which no provision or no sufficient
+provision is made in this Act, and for which provision is made in the Indian
+Divorce Act, 1869 (4 of 1869).
+42. Saving.-- Nothing contained in this Act shall affect the validity of any
+marriage not solemnized under its provisions; not shall this Act be deemed
+directly or indirectly to affect the validity of any mode of contracting marriage.
+43. Penalty on married person marrying again under this Act.-- Save as otherwise
+provided in Chapter III, every person who, being at the time married procures a
+marriage of himself or herself to be solemnized under this Act shall be deemed
+to have committed an offence under Sec. 494 or Sec. 495 of the Indian Penal
+Code 1860 (45 of 1860), as the case may be, and the marriage so solemnized shall
+be void.
+44. Punishment of bigamy.-- Every person whose marriage is solemnized under
+this Act and who, during the lifetime of his or her wife or husband, contracts any
+other marriage shall be subject to the penalties provided in Secs.494 and 495 of
+the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860) for the offence of marrying again during
+the lifetime of a husband of wife, and the marriage so contracted shall be void.
+45. Penalty for signing false declaration or certificate.-- Every person making,
+signing or attesting any declaration or certificate required by or under this Act
+containing a statement which is false and which he either knows or believes to be 
+false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of the offence described in
+Sec.199 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860).
+46. Penalty for wrongful action of Marriage Officer.-- Any Marriage Officer who
+knowingly and willfully solemnizes a marriage under this Act,-- (1) without
+publishing a notice regarding such marriage as required by Sec.5 ; or (2) within
+thirty days of the publication of the notice such marriage; or (3) in contravention
+of any other provision contained in this Act, shall be punishable with simple
+imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may
+extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.
+47. Marriage Certificate Book to be open to inspection--(1) The Marriage
+Certificate Book kept under this Act shall at all reasonable times be open for
+inspection and shall be admissible as evidence of the statements therein
+contained. (2) Certified extracts from the Marriage Certificate Book shall, on
+application, be given by the Marriage Officer to the applicant on payment by him
+of the prescribed fee.
+48. Transmission of copies of entries in marriage records.-- Every Marriage
+Officer in a State shall send to Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages
+of that State at such intervals and in such form as may be prescribed, a true copy
+of all entries made by him in the Marriage Certificate Book since the last of such
+intervals, and in the case of Marriage Officers outside the territories to which this
+Act extends, the true copy shall be sent to such authority as the Central
+Government may specify in this behalf.
+49. Correction of errors.--(1) Any Marriage Officer who discovers any error in
+the form or substance of any entry in the Marriage Certificate Book may, within
+one month next after the discovery of such error, in the presence of the persons
+married, or in case of their death or absence, in the presence of two other credible
+witnesses, correct the error by entry in the margin without any alteration of the
+original entry and shall sign the marginal entry and add thereto the date of such
+correction and the Marriage Officer shall make the like marginal entry in the
+certificate thereof. (2) Every correction made under this section shall be attested
+by the witnesses in whose presence it was made. (3) Where a copy of any entry
+has already been sent under Sec. 48 to the Registrar-General or other authority
+the Marriage Officer shall make and send in the like manner a separate certificate
+of the original erroneous entry and of the marginal corrections therein made.
+50. Power to make rules.--(1) The Central Government, in the case of officers of
+the Central Government, and the State Government, in all other cases, may, by
+notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of
+this Act. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
+power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:
+(a) the duties and powers of Marriage Officers and the areas in which they may
+exercise jurisdiction; (b) the manner in which a Marriage Officer may hold 
+inquiries under this Act and the procedure therefore: (c) the form and manner in
+which any books required by or under this Act shall be maintained: (d) the fees
+that may be levied for the performance of any duty imposed upon a Marriage
+Officer under this Act; (e) the manner in which public notice shall be given under
+Sec. 16: (f) the form in which, and the intervals within which, copies of entries in
+the Marriage Certificate Book shall be sent in pursuance of Sec.48: (g) any other
+matter which may be or requires to be prescribed. (3) Every rule made by the
+Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is
+made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period
+of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more
+successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately
+following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in
+making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not
+be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form, or be of
+no effect as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or
+annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done
+under that rule. (4) Every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall
+be laid, as soon as it is made, before the State Legislature.
+51. Repeals and savings.-(1) The Special Marriage Act, 1872 (3 of 1872), and
+any law corresponding to the Special Marriage Act, 1872, in force in any Part B
+State immediately before the commencement of this Act are hereby repealed. (2)
+Notwithstanding such repeal.- (a) all marriages duly solemnized under Special
+Marriage Act, 1872 (3 of 1872) or any such corresponding law shall be deemed
+to have been solemnized under this Act: (b) all suits and proceeding in causes and
+matters matrimonial which, when this Act comes into operation, are pending in
+any Court shall be dealt with and decided by such Court, so far as may be, as if
+they had been originally instituted therein under this Act. (3) The provisions of
+sub-section (2) shall be without prejudice to the provisions contained in Sec. 6 of
+the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897) which shall also apply to the repeal
+of the corresponding law as if such corresponding law had been an enactment. 
+THE FIRST SCHEDULE
+(See Sec.2 (b))
+Degree of Prohibited Relationship 1. Mother 2. Father's widow (step-mother) 3.
+Mother's mother 4. Mother's father's widow (step grand-mother) 5. Mother's
+mother's mother 6. Mother's mother's father's widow (step-great-grandmother) 7.
+Mother's father's mother 8. Mother's father's father's widow (step-greatgrandmother) 9. Father's mother 10. Father's father's widow (step-grandmother)
+11. Father's mother's mother 12. Father's mother's father's widow (step-greatgrandmother) 13. Father's father's mother 14. Father's father's father's widow
+(step-great-grandmother) 15. Daughter 16. Son's widow 17. Daughter's daughter
+18. Daughter's son's widow 19. Son's daughter 20. Son's son's widow 21.
+Daughter's daughter's daughter 22. Daughter's daughter's son's widow 23.
+Daughter's son's daughter 24. Daughter's son's son's widow 25. Son's daughter's
+daughter 26. Son's daughter's son's widow 27. Son's son's daughter 28. Son's son's
+son's widow 29. Sister 30. Sister's daughter 31. Brother's daughter 32. Mother's
+sister 33.Father's sister 34. Father's brother's daughter 35. Father's sister's
+daughter 36. Mother's sister's-daughter 37. Mother's brother's daughter
+Explanation.- For the purposes of this Part, the expression "widow" includes a
+divorced wife. PART II 1. Father 2. Mother's husband (step-father) 3. Father's
+father 4. Father's mother's husband (step-grandmother) 5. Father's father's father
+6. Father's father's mother's husband (step-great-grandfather) 7. Father's mother's
+father 8. Father's mother's mother's husband (step-great-grandfather) 9. Mother's
+father 10. Mother's mother's husband (step-grandfather) 11. Mother's father's
+father 12. Mother's father's mother's husband (step-great-grandfather) 13.
+Mother's mother's father 14. Mother's mother's mother's husband(step-greatgrandfather) 15. Son 16. Daughter's husband 17. Son's son 18. Son's daughter's
+husband 19. Daughter's son 20. Daughter's daughter's husband 21. Son's son's son
+22. Son's son's daughter's husband 23. Son's daughter's son 24. Son's daughter's
+daughter's husband 25. Daughter's son's son 26. Daughter's son's daughter's
+husband 27. Daughter's daughter's son 28. Daughter's daughter's daughter's
+husband 29. Brother 30. Brother's son 31. Sister's son 32. Mother's brother 33.
+Father's brother 34. Father's brother's son 35. Father's sister's son 36. Mother's
+sister's son 37. Mother's brother's son Explanation- for the purposes of this Part,
+the expression "husband' includes a divorced husband. 
+THE SECOND SCHEDULE
+(See section 5)
+NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE
+To
+Marriage Officer for the ………………….District.
+We hereby give you notice that a marriage under Special Marriage Act, 1954, is
+intended to be solemnized between us within three calendar months from the date
+hereof.
+A, B. Unmarried
+Widower Divorcee
+C.D. Unmarried Widow Divorcee
+Witness our hands this …………………………………………..day of
+………………….19.
+(S.d.) A.B. (S.d.) C.D. 
+THE THIRD SCHEDULE
+(See section 11)
+DECLARATION TO BE MADE BY THE BRIDEGROOM
+I, A.B., hereby declare as follows:-
+1.I am at the present time unmarried (or a widower or a divorcee, as the case may
+be).
+2.I have completed…………………years of age.
+3.I am not related to C.D. (the bride) within the degrees of prohibited relationship.
+4.I am aware that, if any statement in this declaration is false, and if in making
+such statement, I either know or believe it to be false or do not believe it to true.I
+am liable to imprisonment and also to fine.
+(S.d), A.B. (the Bridegroom)
+DECLARATION TO BE MADE BY HE BRIDE
+I, C.D., hereby declare as follows;-
+1.I am at the present time unmarried (or a widow or a divorcee, as the case may
+be).
+2.I have completed……………………………………..years of age.
+3.I am not related to A.B. (the Bridegroom) within the degrees of prohibited
+relationship.
+4.I am aware that, if any statement in this declaration is false, and if in making
+such statement I either know or believe it to be false or do not believe it to be
+true, I am liable to imprisonment and also to fine.
+(S.d) C.D. (the Bride)
+Signed in our presence by the above-named A.B. and C.D. so far as we are aware
+there is no lawful impediment to the marriage.
+(S.d) G.H.
+(S.d) I.J Three witness
+(S.d) K.L. 
+Countersigned E.F.,
+Marriage Officer.,
+Dated the day of 20
+THE FOURTH SCHEDULE
+(See Section 13)
+CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
+I, E.F.hereby certify that on the day
+Of 20 A.B.and C.D.* { * Herein give particulars of the parties} before me and
+that each of them, in my presence and in the presence of three witnesses who have
+signed hereunder, made the declarations of required by section 11 and that a
+marriage under this Act was the solemnized between them in my presence
+(S.d) E.F., Marriage Officer for (S.d) A.B., Bridegroom (S.d) C.D., Bride
+(S.d) G.H.,
+(S.d) I.J.
+Three witnesses
+(S.d) K.L
+Dated the day of 20 
+THE FIFTH SCHEDULE
+(See section 16)
+CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE CELEBRATED IN OTHER FORMS
+I, E.F., hereby certify that A.B.and C.D.* appeared before me {*Here in give
+particulars of the parties} this day 20 and that each of them, in my presence have
+declared that a ceremony of marriage has been performed between them and that
+they have been living together as husband and wife wince the time of their
+marriage, and that in accordance with their desire to have their marriage
+registered under this Act the said marriage has, this
+Day of 19 been registered under this Act, having effect as from
+(S.d) E.F. Marriage Officer for (S.d) A.B. Husband (S.d) C.D. Wife
+(S.d) G.H. (S.d) I.J. Three witnesses. (S.d) K.L.
+Dated the day of 20.