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What is the minimum age of boy and girl for court marriage?

What is the minimum age of boy and girl for court marriage?

01-Nov-2025

Court Marriage

Answer By law4u team

In India, the minimum age for court marriage is clearly defined under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which governs civil marriages regardless of religion. Minimum Age for Court Marriage: Male (Boy): Must be at least 21 years old Female (Girl): Must be at least 18 years old Legal Reference: Under Section 4(c) of the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the law states that: “The male has completed the age of twenty-one years and the female the age of eighteen years.” This age requirement applies across all religions, communities, and states for court marriages in India. Other Conditions for Court Marriage (Besides Age): 1. Both parties must be unmarried at the time of marriage (or legally divorced/widowed). 2. They must be of sound mind and capable of giving valid consent. 3. They must not be in a prohibited relationship (like close blood relatives), unless custom allows. 4. Notice of intended marriage must be filed 30 days in advance at the Marriage Registrar’s office. Legal Consequences of Underage Marriage: A court marriage where either party is underage is not legally valid. It can be challenged or annulled in court. Encouraging or performing child marriage is punishable under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Summary: Boy must be at least 21 years old Girl must be at least 18 years old These age limits are strictly enforced for all court marriages in India.

Answer By Anik

Dear Client, In India, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, establishes minimum age restrictions for court marriages, which are as follows: Male: Minimum age is 21. Female: Minimum age is 18. Both parties must also be of sound mind, freely consent to the marriage, and must not have a spouse (these age restrictions are very strictly observed, there are no legal marriages below these ages). Proof of age is also needed (usually a certified copy of a birth certificate/adhaar card/passport) at the time of registration. I hope this answer helps. For any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.

Answer By Praveen Kumar

भारत में कोर्ट मैरिज के लिए मुख्य शर्तें ये हैं: लड़के की उम्र कम से कम 21 साल और लड़की की 18 साल होनी चाहिए, और दोनों की स्वतंत्र सहमति ज़रूरी है। यह विवाह Special Marriage Act, 1954 के तहत होता है, जो जाति, धर्म या राष्ट्रीयता की परवाह किए बिना लागू होता है। नीचे विस्तार से शर्तें दी गई हैं: पात्रता की मुख्य शर्तें (Eligibility Conditions) - आयु सीमा: लड़का कम से कम 21 वर्ष और लड़की 18 वर्ष की होनी चाहिए। - वैवाहिक स्थिति: दोनों पक्ष अविवाहित, तलाकशुदा, या विधुर/विधवा हो सकते हैं, लेकिन विवाह के समय किसी और से विवाहित नहीं होने चाहिए। - सहमति: दोनों पक्षों की स्वतंत्र और स्पष्ट सहमति होनी चाहिए — किसी दबाव या धोखे के बिना। - मानसिक स्थिति: दोनों मानसिक रूप से स्वस्थ हों, ताकि वे विवाह की प्रकृति को समझ सकें। - रक्त संबंध: दोनों पक्षों के बीच नजदीकी रक्त संबंध (prohibited degrees of relationship) नहीं होना चाहिए, जब तक कि उनका धर्म इसकी अनुमति न देता हो। अन्य ज़रूरी बातें - अंतर-धार्मिक या अंतर-जातीय विवाह: कोर्ट मैरिज में धर्म या जाति की कोई बाध्यता नहीं होती। यह सेक्युलर प्रक्रिया है। - नोटिस पीरियड: विवाह से पहले 30 दिन का नोटिस Marriage Registrar को देना होता है। - गवाह: विवाह के समय तीन गवाह ज़रूरी होते हैं, जिनके पास वैध पहचान पत्र हो। ज़रूरी दस्तावेज़ - आयु और पहचान प्रमाण (जैसे आधार कार्ड, पैन कार्ड, जन्म प्रमाण पत्र) - पासपोर्ट साइज फोटो (दोनों पक्षों की) - निवास प्रमाण पत्र - यदि तलाकशुदा या विधवा/विधुर हैं, तो उसका प्रमाण (तलाक का डिक्री या मृत्यु प्रमाण पत्र) - गवाहों के पहचान पत्र

Answer By Ayantika Mondal

Dear client, For a court marriage in India, the minimum age requirement is governed by the Special Marriage Act, 1954. As per Section 4(c) of the Act, the male must have completed 21 years of age and the female must have completed 18 years of age at the time of solemnisation of the marriage. These age conditions are mandatory, and non-compliance renders the marriage invalid under the Act. The prescribed age limits are aligned with the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which seeks to prevent and penalise child marriages. Therefore, a court marriage cannot be solemnised if either party is below the statutory age, and the Marriage Officer is legally bound to verify age through valid documentary proof such as birth certificate, school leaving certificate, passport, or Aadhaar before proceeding with the marriage. I hope this answer was helpful, for further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.