Marriages in Goa are compulsorily registerable. Only a civil registration of marriages in Goa is accepted as evidence of the marriage. Like births and deaths, marriages also have to be registered to create legal .rights.

This law which requires registration is the Code of Civil Registration. Chapter VII prescribes that the registration of the marriages shall be made in accordance with the Decree Law No. 1, dated 25th December, 1910.

In every taluka, there are offices of the Civil Registrar, where the marriages are to be registered. Those who desire to marry have to declare their desire before the Officer of the Taluka chosen, along with (1) a certificate of domicile of residence & (2) the certificates of birth.

1. Why should a marriage be registered?
   

   Since, without registration, a marriage in not legally recognized in Goa. (Exception: a Roman Catholic marriage with prior clearance by the Civil Registrar.

2. If marriage has remained unregistered and the person has got children and he wants a marriage certificate for pension purposes?

   Register it now immediately. At the time of marriage registration (second visit), The names and other details of all your children should be mentioned in the Register.

3. Can one object to my inter caste or inter religious marriage?

   Not at all.Each party can retain his/her own religion. The date of the marriage registration is the date of marriage for all legal purposes, irrespective of whether religious ceremonies took place or not.

4. What are the prohibitions / impediments to a marriage?

   Legal impediment contained in Articles 4 to 10 of Law No. 1 which briefly relate to relationship by blood or affinity, insanity, previous divorce on grounds of incurable and contagious diseases or diseases involving sexual aberration, certain acts/criminal conducts.

5. Are there any restrictions as to sex and age?

   (a)Sex: The law requires the groom and the bride to belong to different sexes and that the purpose should be to legitimately constitute a family.
   (b)Age: For marriage purposes, the age of majority is 21 years. A bride between 18 to 21 years needs consent or emancipation by Court.

6. Clarification as to consent:

   Consent may be given in any of the following manner: -
   (a) Orally by both the parents at the time of registration; or
   (b) If one of the parents is dead, his/her death certificate along with consent of surviving spouse; or
   (c) If one parent or both are not present in Goa, their consent may be sent in a duly notarized/authenticated document containing exact details; or
   (d) In case of disagreement between parents, the Court gives or refuses consent; or
   (e) In absence of both parents, the grand parents or in their absence, family council may give consent;
   (f) In deserving cases, a Court can also emancipate a minor entitling her to contract a marriage.
   (g) For a marriage within 3^rd degree (uncle-niece, aunt-nephew), permission of the Governor is needed.

7. Can a widow/er or Divorcee immediately marry after the death of spouse / divorce?

   No, after the death of spouse or divorce, there is a minimum waiting period of six months for males and one year for females, before they can contract next marriage,except in certain types of divorce. However, there is no such waiting period in case of judicial annulment of a marriage.

8. Can Goan's celebrating marriage before other authorities outside Goa,record the same in Goa?

   Yes, by way of Transcription (only for Goan's) within 3 months of the marriage or within one month of any of the spouses first coming to Goa, on basis of an authentic marriage certificate issued by the non Goan Authority. Other formalities are the same as for a marriage registration.
   (NOTE: Transcription can be made even after the death of a spouse, if other documents are in order)

9. Regarding change in name of Hindu Bride.

   Such change in the name of a Hindu bride can be declared orally at the time of marriage registration itself or it can be later informed through an application signed by both parties intimating change in name under ceremonies as per Hindu religious rites. PLEASE NOTE: That the procedure for registration of marriage is made simple and easy under the law. E.g.
   (1) the parties have a right to get marriage registered if all their documents are in order.
   (2) Under the Law, minor discrepancies (in additional certificates, etc.) are to be disregarded if the identity of the party is not in doubt.
   (3) The date for the marriage registration is to be fixed by the party but the time is to be fixed by the Civil Registrar.
   (4) Well trained- staff deals with this work.
   (5) Model application forms are also kept in these offices (for reference only).

CAUTION: - IT IS DESIRABLE:

(1)   That any information be obtained directly from Office staff without relying on middlemen.

(2)   That the documents are got scrutinized in advance before bringing the parties to the office

(3)  That the fee receipts are carefully preserved and produced whenever required for reference.

(4)   That the marriage Notices or N.O.Cs are personally collected by the parties and delivered to the other office to avoid forced postponement in case of delay in transit by post or loss otherwise.

(5)  That the parties bring proper documents and do not promote arguments/ pleadings with the officials to register first and receive documents later.