Marriage registration to soon cost more in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Registering marriage will soon cost Delhiites more as the AAP government has proposed to hike marriage registration fee by up to four times in the national capital.

As per existing fee structure, one has to shell out Rs 100 to get marriage registration certificate under the Hindu Marriage Act while under the Special Marriage Act, the registration fee is Rs 150.

"Government has proposed to increase fee from the existing Rs 100 to Rs 500 for marriage registered under the Hindu Marriage Act.

"Besides, there is also a proposal to increase the fee for marriage certificate from Rs 150 to Rs 500 in case of marriage of persons of two different religions," a senior government official told PTI.

According to government, the Hindu Marriage Act is applicable in cases where both husband and wife are Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs or where they have converted into any of these religions. Where either of the husband or wife or both are not Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs the marriage is registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

Finance department, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, has sent the proposal to the law department for its consideration.

"The fee of marriage certificate is being standardised as there has been no change in it for many years. Once the law department gives its nod, the new fee structure will be implemented," the official also said.

The AAP government has already proposed to bring down the fee of " tatkal service" for marriage certificates by 90 per cent.

As per existing fee structure, fee for tatkal service is Rs 10,000 and one can get marriage certificate within 24 hours.

"Government has now proposed to reduce fee of tatkal service from the existing Rs 10,000 to Rs 1000," official added.