Christian Marriage Act

Marriages among Indian Christians:

This is solemnised in the churches or in the presence of a priest. The common feature is the exchange of rings and the declaration by the couple that they consent to the marriage. Christian marriages are also registered before the Registrar of marriages.

The Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, was passed to reduce into a smaller compass the two English Acts of Parliament and the three Acts of the Indian Legislature. This Act applies to the solemnisation of marriages in India of persons professing the Christian religion.

Indian Christians include the descendants of the natives of India converted to Christianity as well as converts. The Act comprehensively sets forth the persons by whom marriages may be solemnised, the procedure relating to registration of marriages, issue of certificates, time and place of marriage, etc.