Gujarat Marriage Registration Act, 2006

The Gujarat government proposed amendments to marriage registration rules mandating parental consent-related declarations and notification before registration. The move has raised constitutional concerns regarding individual liberty and privacy.

Proposed Amendments to Marriage Registration Rules, 2026 (Gujarat):

Dimension	Key Details
Existing Legal Framework	Marriage registration governed by Gujarat Marriage Registration Act 2006 and Special Marriage Act 1954 for civil or inter faith marriages
Constitutional Provision	Article 21 provides protection of life and personal liberty and includes freedom to choose a partner without external interference
Mandatory Declaration	Couples required to state whether parents have been informed and provide parents Aadhaar address and contact details
Parental Notification	Assistant Registrar to notify parents within 10 working days after application acceptance
Waiting Period	Registration to be completed only after 30 days from application
Online Portal Requirement	All details to be uploaded on government portal for transparency and record keeping
Stated Purpose	Measures intended to prevent fraudulent marriages curb misuse of deceptive certificates and enhance transparency
Judicial Precedents	Laxmibai Chandaragi 2021 upheld that family consent is not necessary; Shafi Jahan 2018 upheld right to choose partner and religion; Lata Singh 2006 protected inter caste marriages; Delhi High Court 2009 and Allahabad High Court 2021 struck down mandatory 30 day notice under Special Marriage Act citing privacy concerns