Whichever route you take, the registration appearance has to be booked, and the date is the one item in the whole process that cannot be re-made. Why that changes the order you work in is set out in SDM appointment assistance — the slot is the scarce thing.
Is an Arya Samaj marriage legal?
Yes. An Arya Samaj marriage is legal under the Arya Samaj Marriage Validation Act and the Hindu Marriage Act. We then register the marriage with the registrar and obtain the government marriage certificate for you.
How long does an Arya Samaj marriage take?
The wedding ceremony at an Arya Samaj temple is usually completed the same day within 1-2 hours. Registration afterwards may take a few additional days.
What documents are required for an Arya Samaj marriage?
ID and age proof for both partners, address proof, passport-size photographs, and 2 witnesses. Inter-faith cases may require some extra documents, and we guide you through them.
Can people of different religions marry under Arya Samaj?
An Arya Samaj ceremony is generally for those following the Hindu faith; a partner of another religion may sometimes need a shuddhi or declaration. In such cases the Special Marriage Act may be a better option, and we advise you on the right route.
Is the Arya Samaj marriage certificate valid?
The Arya Samaj certificate is proof that the ceremony took place. A Hindu marriage performed with the proper rites is valid even without registration (Hindu Marriage Act, section 8(5)), but registration with the registrar gives you the government marriage certificate that passport offices, embassies and banks ask for, and in Delhi registration is compulsory. We arrange the registration for you.
Who can marry through an Arya Samaj ceremony?
Arya Samaj ceremonies are performed for Hindus, and the term Hindu for marriage law includes Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. The Arya Samaj Marriage Validation Act, 1937 provides that a marriage between two Arya Samajists, solemnised with Arya Samaj ceremonies, is not invalid only because they belonged to different castes or sub-castes, or because one or both earlier followed another religion. Couples of different castes therefore marry this way without difficulty. Where one partner is Muslim, Christian or Parsi and does not wish to convert, the Special Marriage Act is the correct route; see our
Special Marriage Act page.
What rituals complete an Arya Samaj marriage in law?
The ceremony follows Vedic rites: a havan, the recital of mantras, the exchange of garlands, kanyadaan in some families, and the saptapadi, the seven steps around the sacred fire. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, where the customary rites include saptapadi, the marriage becomes complete and binding when the seventh step is taken. That is why the certificate and photographs usually record the saptapadi. The priest, both of you and the witnesses should be present throughout.
Is an Arya Samaj certificate the same as a government marriage certificate?
No. The certificate issued by the Arya Samaj records that the ceremony took place. The government marriage certificate is issued by the Registrar of Marriages after the marriage is registered under the Hindu Marriage Act and the registration rules of the state. In Delhi, registration of marriages is compulsory under the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014. For passports, visas, bank records and most official purposes, the registrar’s certificate is what is asked for, so we complete both.
Why do some courts question Arya Samaj marriage certificates?
Courts have, in some cases, criticised certificates issued without proper checks, particularly where the age of the bride, the consent of a party or the genuineness of documents was later disputed, and some High Courts have directed inquiries into organisations issuing certificates in bulk. The lesson is not that Arya Samaj marriages are invalid; it is that the ceremony should be performed by a genuine Arya Samaj with original identity and age documents checked, and then registered with the Registrar. A registered marriage with proper records is very difficult to challenge.
If one partner is from another religion, does conversion create legal issues?
It can. Several states have laws that regulate religious conversion, and some require a prior declaration to the District Magistrate, with penalties for conversions made without following the procedure. A conversion done only for the purpose of marriage has also been examined critically by courts. If one of you belongs to another religion, we generally recommend the Special Marriage Act, which lets both of you keep your own religion and avoids these questions entirely. Tell us your situation before booking, and we will advise which route is safer.
Can a divorced person or a widow marry through Arya Samaj?
Yes, if the earlier marriage has legally ended. A divorced person should carry the final divorce decree and should not remarry until the period for appeal has expired or any appeal has been dismissed, as the Hindu Marriage Act requires. A widow or widower should bring the former spouse’s death certificate. The Arya Samaj and the registrar will both ask for these documents, and an affidavit about marital status is usually taken as well; our
single status affidavit guide explains that document.
We had an Arya Samaj marriage years ago and never registered it. What now?
The marriage can still be registered. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, failure to register does not affect the validity of a marriage, but a registered certificate is needed for most official purposes, and in Delhi registration is required by the 2014 order. For an older marriage, the registrar usually asks for the Arya Samaj certificate, photographs of the ceremony, identity and address documents, an affidavit from both of you, and witnesses. There may be a late fee depending on the rules in force. We prepare the file so that the registration is done in one visit where possible.
Can we choose any date, or does the Arya Samaj fix a muhurat?
Arya Samaj ceremonies are generally performed on any day, including days that families consider inauspicious, because the Arya Samaj does not follow muhurat in the traditional way. Most temples have fixed time slots, so the date and time should be booked in advance, with a little buffer for document checking before the ceremony begins. If registration is to follow the same day or the next day, the working hours of the registrar’s office also matter.
Does an Arya Samaj marriage protect a couple whose families object?
The ceremony itself does not provide protection, but a validly performed and registered marriage between two adults is strong evidence that both chose to marry. If you face threats, the Supreme Court has directed that couples can seek protection from the police and district authorities, and courts regularly grant protection to adult couples. Tell us before the ceremony if you are worried; we can prepare the protection application along with the marriage documents. Filing a petition in court is for your advocate, whose fee is engaged and paid by you directly.
Can an Arya Samaj marriage be dissolved?
Yes. An Arya Samaj marriage is a Hindu marriage, so divorce, judicial separation, maintenance and custody are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act and related laws, exactly as for any other Hindu marriage. Divorce by mutual consent is available after the couple has lived separately for the period the Act requires. Divorce proceedings are court work and are for your advocate, whose fee is engaged and paid by you directly; our
divorce affidavit guide explains the supporting affidavits.
