Gandhinagar—In a move aimed at increasing transparency in the marriage registration process, Gujarat’s Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced new amendments to the state’s marriage registration rules on February 20, 2026. The shift comes as love marriages and elopements have surged across the state, sparking concerns among officials.
The proposed changes stipulate that both parties must submit a marriage registration application with signatures not only from themselves but also from two witnesses. It can’t just be any paperwork; this application needs to be notarized and accompanied by valid identity proof issued by government authorities.
But wait—there’s more. The application must include an array of documents such as Aadhaar cards for all involved, birth or school leaving certificates for both the bride and groom, and even a marriage invitation card. Additionally, there are requirements for photographs: two passport-sized pictures of each party along with a picture taken during the ceremony itself.
Importantly, couples will now declare whether they’ve informed their parents about their planned nuptials. This is part of Step 2 in the new process, which also requires information regarding parents’ Aadhaar cards, names, addresses, and phone numbers. This unprecedented requirement aims to ensure that families are kept in the loop during this significant life event.
So what happens next? Once an application is submitted to the Assistant Registrar within ten working days—and assuming everything checks out—the parents will receive electronic or physical notifications about their child’s marriage plans. Then there’s a waiting period of 30 days before final registration occurs after verification.
Sanghavi didn’t shy away from explaining why these changes are necessary. He pointed out serious issues with fraudulent marriages tied to anti-social elements who mislead young women into unions under false pretenses—an alarming trend that’s been increasingly reported in districts like Panchmahal.
He highlighted specific investigations revealing irregularities in issuing marriage certificates where no Muslim families were present at all—essence of authenticity was lacking. “Marriages conducted by concealing identity amount to an attack on cultural values,” he said emphatically.
The deputy chief minister added that strict action would be pursued against anyone found guilty of coercion or deception connected with these marriages. “We don’t oppose love marriages,” he noted firmly while making it clear that protecting women’s rights is paramount for his administration.
The government is also seeking public input on these proposals over a 30-day period following Sanghavi’s announcement. A committee will review collected feedback before enacting final regulations under constitutional mandates.
This initiative follows extensive consultations involving various social organizations and discussions with legal experts—including Minister of State for Law and Justice Kaushik Vekaria—to create a well-rounded approach addressing societal concerns while respecting individual choices.