Marriage Certificate (US + India)
Official proof of legal marriage — US: county clerk/recorder where the license was issued; India: Marriage Registrar/SDM/Sub-Registrar under HMA or SMA.
Do it on the official site
US: county clerk/recorder of the issuing county (some via VitalChek; usa.gov/marriage-certificate). India: SDM/Sub-Registrar/District Registrar; state e-district/revenue portal.
- Fees
US ~$15–$20/copy (Marin CA $19, Sacramento $19, Washoe NV $15) [confirmed]
India ~₹100–₹150 govt fee [partial confirmed/inferred]
- Processing time
US in person same day–3 days, online 5–14 days. India HMA ~15 days; SMA up to ~60 days.
- How long it lasts
Permanent
What to know first
- US: the license (before) is different from the certificate (after); copies come from the issuing county.
- India HMA (Hindu/Sikh/Buddhist/Jain) ~7–15 days; SMA (interfaith/civil) needs a 30-day public notice.
- Most Indian states offer online application.
- Doesn't expire.
How to do it
- 1US: identify the county → request a certified copy → provide both names/date/county/ID → pay.
- 2India: choose HMA or SMA → apply online + upload docs + fee → appointment → HMA attend with spouses + witnesses (~15 days); SMA file notice → 30-day objection → register (up to ~60 days).
What you need to bring
- Both spouses' names, date, county/place; photo ID
- India: Aadhaar + address proof + photos + witnesses; marriage invitation/proof per state
In person
US: county clerk/recorder office. India: SDM / Sub-Registrar / district registrar office.
Questions people ask
- License vs certificate (US)?
- License is issued before; the certificate proves the marriage afterward.
- India interfaith marriage?
- Under the Special Marriage Act with a 30-day public notice.
- Does it expire?
- No.
Documents that travel with it
Sources
- usa.gov/marriage-certificate
- revenue.delhi.gov.in marriage-registration (accessed 2026-06-26)