Kerala Nods To Online Registration Of Marriages Temporarily In View Of Covid-19

Considering the ongoing Covid -19 pandemic, the Kerala government has issued an Order declaring that till the amendment to the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules comes into effect, online registration of marriages in the State may be permitted with the due permission of the Chief Registrar General of Marriages (Common). 

In the Government Order dated 9th September 2021, the State has also laid down certain conditions and precautions for the same. 

The State and the office of the Chief Registrar General of Marriages (Common) have been receiving numerous appeals for online registration of marriages amid the pandemic.

Considering all the grievances, the Chief Registrar General had submitted a report. 

The report revealed that several couples presently residing abroad had approached the courts seeking online registration of their marriages citing the pandemic as a reason to be excused from their physical presence. 

Upon receiving favorable Orders from the Courts, several Registrars across the State were permitting such online registration as well. 

This was deemed necessary keeping in mind the travel ban imposed on several countries and the mandatory requirement of a marriage certificate to apply for citizenship in certain countries. 

To protect the livelihood of its citizens, the State had permitted online registration of marriages upon producing an Order from the Court sanctioning the same.

In the report, considering the present circumstances, the Chief Registrar General of Marriages had proposed to allow online registration of marriages till 31st December 2021. 

The State government perused the report and analyzed the proposal at great length.

In view of the unfortunate circumstances presented by the Covid-19 pandemic,  the State has eventually decided to permit couples who have been married and residing together for years but failed to register their marriage with their local authorities to register their marriage online. 

However, it has been pointed out that such online registration of marriage would only be permissible in cases where the Marriage Registrar is convinced that the parties cannot be physically present for the same. 

Similarly, the Order directs that approval should also be obtained from the Chief Registrar General of Marriages (Common) before proceeding with the online registration. 

Such registration shall be permitted till the amendment to the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules come into force.

The Order also particularly cautions the Marriage Registrars against false representations and impersonations.