The legal framework
Marriage is governed by the Marriage Act together with the Muslim, Hindu and Orisha Marriage Acts, each providing for recognised religious ceremonies. The minimum age was raised to 18 across all marriage statutes in 2017, ending religious exemptions that had allowed much younger marriage. Whichever system applies, the decisive practical step is registration: it determines what can be proved later about property, inheritance and children.
Key points
| Age | 18 across all marriage laws since 2017 |
|---|---|
| Polygamy | Prohibited; bigamy is an offence under the Sexual Offences legislation. |
| Types | Civil, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Orisha marriages, all registrable |
| Cohabitation | Cohabitational relationships recognised for property purposes after five years |
| Same-sex marriage | Not recognised |
| Registration | Through the Registrar General's Department |
| Four statutes | Marriage Act, Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, Hindu Marriage Act, Orisa Marriage Act |
| Registered officers | Each statute has its own register of marriage officers |
| Minimum age 18 | Uniform since the 2017 reform, which removed the religious exemptions |
| Licence | Issued by the Registrar General |
In practice
- Establish which marriage system applies to you — it determines everything that follows.
- Register the marriage and obtain the certificate; customary and religious ceremonies often go unregistered.
- Where property regimes can be chosen, make the choice before the ceremony, in writing.
- Keep certified copies: they are required for inheritance, pensions and children's documentation.
- Match the officer's registration to the statute under which you are marrying.
- Register the marriage and obtain certified copies.
Cost and coverage
Registration fees are modest; later regularisation through the courts is far more expensive.
Recent changes
The common regional trend is the consolidation of minimum ages at 18 and the promotion of registration for customary marriages.
Where to go
- National registrar of marriages or civil registration department.
- Local authorities and chiefs, where customary marriages are recorded.
- Legal aid schemes and women's rights organisations.
Worth knowing
An unregistered customary or religious marriage may be socially complete but legally invisible. Registration is what allows a surviving spouse to inherit and a separated spouse to claim. The 2017 reform set a uniform minimum age of 18 across all four statutes, ending the religious exemptions that had permitted child marriage.
Official sources and links
- UN Human Rights Office — ratified treaties and country reviews
- ILO NATLEX — national legislation database