Soon, marriage certs in Guj to have photos of couple

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt is considering introducing marriage certificates carrying photographs of the bride and groom, with the new system expected to be notified in the next couple of months after the completion of local body elections.The move, to be implemented for the first time in the state, is part of an exercise to strengthen the Gujarat Registration of Marriage Rules, 2006. According to top govt sources, biometric features may also be added to marriage certificates at a later stage to further authenticate the document."Marriage certificate is an essential document in several govt-related procedures like getting a passport, property registration, legal inheritance documents and the like. This will be a key change in the marriage certificate document and will be implemented after completion of the local body elections, as the code of conduct is presently in force," said top sources.In Feb this year, the govt issued amendments to the rules including parental intimation to couple's parents and invited suggestions and objections from citizens and institutions. It received 127 responses on the proposed changes.Sources said the proposal to include photographs follows the detection of several frauds in the issuance of marriage certificates in recent months, particularly in districts such as Panchmahals. According to sources, more than 4,600 fake certificates were issued in Panchmahal between 2024 and 2026."In addition, there were instances where `Nikah certificates' involving members of the minority community were issued in villages where there was not even a single family from the community," said sources.During the 30-day period for public feedback, the govt also sought views on proposed changes in marriage registration. Suggestions included disinheriting children where parents do not consent to the marriage, requiring the physical presence of both parents during registration, and registering a marriage in the jurisdiction of the girl's residence.Objections to the proposed changes said mandatory parental intimation during the registration process violates the fundamental right to personal liberty and privacy. The govt also received submissions arguing that the changes would turn a simple registration process into an instrument of surveillance and that uploading marriage details on a public portal would violate privacy.