Bill to make marriage registration mandatory

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012, moved by Law Minister Salman Khurshid in the Upper House, seeks to amend the existing Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 to bring country-wide uniformity on compulsory registration of marriages.

The bill provides for registration of marriages irrespective of religion professed and practised by parties to the marriage.

The bill does not affect in any manner the state law making provisions for compulsory registration of marriages in their respective states or any right recognised or acquired by any party to marriage under law, custom or usage.

The registration certificate under the amended Act would also provide evidentiary value in matrimonial and maintenance cases and prevent unnecessary harassment meted out to them.

It will also provide evidentiary value in the matters of age of parties, custody of children and the right of children born out of such marriages.