Solemnization/Registration of marriage under Foreign Marriage Act, 1969
1. Submission of notice of intended marriage
At least one of the prospective bride or bridegroom must be an Indian national and a legal resident within the jurisdiction of the Consulate. If any one of prospective bride or bridegroom is not an Indian national, a No Objection Certificate from the concerned authority or an affidavit declaring his/her marital status and willingness to marry an Indian national, duly attested by the concerned authority need to be submitted. Three witnesses who are Indian nationals must be physically present along with the prospective bride and bridegroom at the time of submission of notice of intended marriage.
Required documents:
- Completed application form for "Solemnization/Registration of marriage"
with one passport size photo affixed in the box.
- Fill in all the information correctly. Incomplete application will be returned without service.
- Original and one copy of identification pages of the passports of all the five individuals.
- Copy of Proof of address (utility bill, driver license or lease agreement).
- Copy of valid Visa/Green Card for Indian citizens and for other citizens of Indian origin attach a copy of their OCI card/PIO card/Renunciation of Indian Citizenship Certificate (if applicable).
- Notice of intended marriage (4 copies) (Form-I) .
- Declaration by prospective bride and bridegroom in duplicate (Form-II) .
- Sworn Affidavit by prospective bride and bridegroom in duplicate.
- Four identical, passport size, recent, photographs each of prospective bride and bridegroom.
- Fee $50 and $2 for ICWF.
- Fee is to be paid by cashier’s check or money order drawn only in favor of "Consulate General of India". There should be a seperate cashier's check or money order for ICWF Fee. Cash payment is also accepted at the counter of the Consulate. Applicants are requested to come with exact change for efficient services.
- Personal checks, Debit cards and Credit cards are not accepted.
- If application is being sent by post please sent a seperate $20/- cashier’s check or money order fee for return mail. No prepaid envelopes are accepted.
2. Advertisement of intended marriage
After submission of notice of intended marriage, advertisement is to be published by the individuals in local English newspaper as well as English newspaper in the place of permanent residence indicated in the passport in India/concerned country. Text of advertisement is as under:
Mr. ______________________ holder of (name of country) Passport No. _____________ and Miss ___________________________________ holder of (name of country) Passport No. ________________________________ intend getting married at the Consulate General of India, Houston, 4300 Scotland Street, Houston, TX-77007 under the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 of India. Objections, if any, may be conveyed to the Consulate General of India, Houston within 30 days.
All the particulars must be filled in as per the passports.
Original full page of the newspapers in which the advertisements were published should be presented to Consular officer within 30 days of submission of notice of intended marriage.
3. Date of marriage
Marriage has to be solemnized within six months from the date of notice of intention of marriage presented to the marriage officer failing which the entire procedure should be repeated if the parties intend to proceed with the marriage.
Marriage officer will consult with the applicant for a convenient date of marriage.
4. Solemnization and registration of marriage
Three witnesses who were present at the time of submission of notice of intended marriage should be present at the time of marriage solemnization and registration.
All the five persons must present their original passports at the time of marriage solemnization and registration.
