How to Apply for Marriage Certificate Online in Karnataka

Marriage registration is mandatory in Karnataka under the Karnataka Marriages (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Rules. The Kaveri Online Portal (kaveri.karnataka.gov.in), managed by the Department of Stamps and Registration, Government of Karnataka, allows citizens to apply for marriage certificates online without visiting the Sub-Registrar (SR) office.

Karnataka supports online marriage registration under two acts:

1. Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 — for Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain couples
2. Special Marriage Act, 1954 — for inter-faith marriages and all other marriages

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Government of Karnataka. Always verify details on the official Kaveri portal.

Who Is Eligible?

Note: Divorced persons must produce a divorce decree/certificate. Widow(er)s must produce the death certificate of the deceased spouse.

Documents Required

For Bride and Groom (Both)

Age Proof (any one — mandatory)

• Birth Certificate
• SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
• School Cumulative Record
• Doctor's Certificate

Address Proof (any one — mandatory)

• Ration Card
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Employee ID
• Bank Passbook
• Voter ID (EPIC Card)

Identity Proof (any one — mandatory)

• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Bank Passbook
• Ration Card
• Voter ID (EPIC Card)
• Employee ID

Marriage Proof

• Wedding Invitation Card (mandatory)
• Temple / Choultry / Marriage Hall / Kalyana Mantapa receipt (any one)
• Other relevant documents

Other Requirements

• Aadhaar — mandatory for bride, groom, and all 3 witnesses for online application
• Joint photograph of bride and groom — PNG format, max 2 MB (707×500 mm)
• eKYC via DigiLocker — mandatory for Special Marriage Act applications

Additional Documents (if applicable)

• Divorce Decree/Certificate (for divorced applicants)
• Death Certificate of deceased spouse (for widow/widower)

Step-by-Step Online Process (Kaveri Portal)

Step 1: Register on Kaveri 2.0 Portal

1. Visit https://kaveri.karnataka.gov.in
2. Click the Register button
3. Enter all mandatory citizen details (name, mobile number, email ID)
4. You will receive an auto-generated password via SMS/email
5. Log in using your email ID and the generated password

Step 2: Select Marriage Type

1. After logging in, navigate to Marriage Registration services
2. Select the applicable act:
   • Hindu Marriage — for Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain couples
   • Special Marriage / Other Forms — for inter-faith or other marriages

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

1. Enter details of the bride and groom (name, age, address, Aadhaar number)
2. Enter details of 3 witnesses (name, age, Aadhaar number)
3. Upload all required documents (age proof, address proof, identity proof, marriage proof)
4. Upload the joint photograph of bride and groom (PNG, max 2 MB)
5. For Special Marriage Act — complete eKYC via DigiLocker

Step 4: Submit Application

1. Review all details carefully
2. Submit the application
3. Note down the application reference number

Step 5: Application Review by Sub-Registrar (SR)

• The SR office reviews your application
• If discrepancies are found, the application is sent back for corrections — you can edit and resubmit
• This service falls under Sakala (Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act) with a processing time of 1 working day

Step 6: Make Online Payment

1. Once the SR approves the application, you receive a payment notification
2. Log in to Kaveri portal and pay the required fees online
3. Payment modes available:
   • Net Banking
   • Debit Card / Credit Card
   • UPI (GPay / PhonePe)

Note: Manual/cash payment is not accepted for online applications.

Step 7: Download Marriage Certificate

• After payment confirmation and final approval, the marriage certificate is generated
• Download the certificate from the Kaveri portal
• No physical visit to SR office is required for Hindu Marriage Act online applications

Fees

Note: Total fees are minimal — typically around ₹25 for the entire registration process. Fees are subject to revision by the government.

Processing Time

Important Tips

1. Keep Aadhaar handy — Aadhaar is mandatory for bride, groom, and all 3 witnesses for online applications
2. Joint photo format — Must be PNG format, under 2 MB (707×500 mm). Prepare this before starting the application
3. Language toggle — The Kaveri portal supports both English and Kannada. Use the toggle at the top of the page
4. Wedding card is mandatory — Without the wedding invitation card, your application will be rejected
5. Track via Sakala — Since the service is under Sakala, you can track and escalate delays through the Sakala portal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I apply for a marriage certificate online in Karnataka?

Yes. Visit the Kaveri Online Portal at kaveri.karnataka.gov.in to apply for marriage registration online under both the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act.

Q2. Is Aadhaar mandatory for marriage registration in Karnataka?

Yes. Aadhaar is mandatory for the bride, groom, and all 3 witnesses for online marriage registration through the Kaveri portal.

Q3. Do I need to visit the Sub-Registrar office for online Hindu marriage registration?

No. For online Hindu marriage registration, physical presence at the SR office is not required. The entire process is completed online.

Q4. What is the minimum age for marriage registration in Karnataka?

Under the Hindu Marriage Act, the groom must be at least 21 years and the bride at least 18 years. Under the Special Marriage Act, both parties must be at least 21 years old.

Q5. How many witnesses are needed for marriage registration in Karnataka?

3 witnesses are required, and all must be above 18 years of age.

Q6. Can a divorced person or widow/widower apply for marriage registration?

Yes. Divorced persons must provide the divorce decree/certificate, and widow(er)s must provide the death certificate of the deceased spouse.

Q7. What are the fees for marriage certificate in Karnataka?

The total fees are approximately ₹25 for registration. Certified copies cost ₹10 each. Payment is made online through the Kaveri portal.

Q8. How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Karnataka?

The service is under Sakala with a processing timeline of 1 working day. However, the overall process including document verification may take 7–40 days.

Q9. Can NRIs register their marriage in Karnataka online?

As per the eligibility criteria, either the bride, groom, or the marriage place must be in Karnataka. NRIs who were married in Karnataka can apply through the Kaveri portal.

Q10. What if my application is rejected or sent back for corrections?

If the SR finds discrepancies, the application is sent back to your login for corrections. You can edit the details and resubmit.

Related Guides

• Marriage Registration Online — National Guide
• Marriage Certificate Apply Online — India
• Court Marriage Process in India
• Aadhaar Card Apply Online
• Karnataka Government Schemes & Services
• Ration Card Apply Online in Karnataka
• Bhoomi Land Records Karnataka