To have your marriage registered in India, the Indian authorities require a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI) to prove you're free to marry. We issue CNIs at the High Commission in New Delhi by appointment Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays). Fee apply.
Getting married in India
This information is to assist Australian citizens wishing to register a marriage in India to ensure it will be recognised as a valid marriage in India and Australia. Please note that Indian authorities will only accept a Certificate of No Impediment issued by the Australian mission that has the jurisdiction over the place of marriage.
Why do I need to legally register my marriage?
A marriage in India must be registered with Indian authorities (Municipal Corporation/ respective court) to be a valid marriage under the Indian law. If you do not formally register your marriage with Indian authorities, you are not legally married in India or Australia.
Will our marriage be recognised in Australia?
Since 1 January 1995 any legal marriage performed in an overseas country, which would have been legal had it been performed in Australia, is accepted as a legal marriage under Australian law. For further information, please refer to the Australian Attorney-General’s Department website: ag.gov.au
You could consider getting an apostille of your marriage certificate issued by Municipal Corporation/ Court to be acceptable in Australia. To obtain apostille you may refer to the Ministry of External Affairs’ website: https://mea.gov.in/apostille.htm
How to apply for a CNI in India
1. Prepare your supporting documentation
To apply for a CNI, you and your partner need to provide supporting documentation. At least one person applying for the CNI must be an Australian citizen.
- If an Australian citizen, a valid Australian passport.
- If a foreign citizen, a valid foreign passport, or valid photo identification
- If either party is divorced, a Divorce Certificate for the previous marriage.
- If either party is widowed, the deceased partner's Death Certificate.
Supporting documents must be originals.
If the documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by an English translation that's performed by a professional translator.
2. Complete the application form
Download and complete the application form for a certificate of no impediment to marriage (CNI).
- You can print it and fill it in, or complete it electronically
- To meet Indian authorities' requirements, your residential address on the form must be an Australian address.
- Don't use an eSignature. You'll need a consular official to witness you physically sign it.
- If both parties are Australia citizens, check with the local authorities whether they require separate CNI, if so, you must each lodge separate applications, supporting documentation, and fees.
3. Submit your form and supporting documents
- Remember: an appointment is required to apply for a CNI and the Australian applicant/s must attend in person.
For booking an appointment, click the 'Book Now' button below
Other lodgement locations
- Consulate-General in Mumbai please click here
- Australian Consulate-General in Chennai please click here
Note: Parking is not available for visitors to the High Commission in New Delhi.
4. Sign the form in front of an authorised witness
Only sign the form in the presence of a consular official at the High Commission/Consulate-General. They need to watch you sign it at the time of your appointment.
5. Pay the fee
- Refer to the Notarial Service Fee page for the current fee. The payment will be made in equivalent INR
- You must pay when you submit your application form.
Our fees increase in line with the consumer price index on 1 January each year.
6. We'll process your application
We'll review your application. Our first step is to make sure it is complete.
- If it's incomplete, we can't process it, and you will need to make new appointment to re-submit your form and supporting documents.
7. Once approved, we'll issue you the CNI
8. Contact the local marriage registration authorities in India to proceed with the registration.
We also encourage you to refer to our Smartraveller page on getting married overseas, and read the Consular Services Charter.