Gujarat amended its marriage registration rules in 2026, adding declarations about parents, parental notification and a waiting period. Here is what couples should know.
In 2026, the Gujarat government amended the rules under the Gujarat Registration of Marriages Act, 2006. The proposal was announced in February 2026 and the amended rules have since been reported as in force. If you are planning to register a marriage in Gujarat, here is what you need to know.
What the changes are reported to require
- A declaration about parents. Couples are asked to state whether their parents have been informed of the marriage.
- Parents' details. Details such as parents' names, addresses, contact numbers and identity information are requested in the application.
- Notification to parents. The registrar's office notifies the parents after the application is accepted.
- A waiting period. Registration is completed only after a waiting period from the application (reported as 30 days).
What has not changed
- Who can marry. The legal conditions for a valid marriage — age, consent, no living spouse, no prohibited relationship — come from the Hindu Marriage Act, the Special Marriage Act and other central laws. A state registration rule does not change them.
- Parental consent is not a condition of validity. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that adults may marry a person of their choice without family consent (for example in Lata Singh, 2006; Shafin Jahan, 2018; and Laxmibai Chandaragi, 2021).
- The Special Marriage Act route. Marriages under the central Special Marriage Act, 1954 follow that Act's own notice procedure before the Marriage Officer.
Criticism and possible legal challenge
The amendments have been criticised by lawyers and civil-society groups as conflicting with the right to privacy and the right to choose a partner under Article 21. Courts in other states have previously questioned the mandatory publication of personal details in marriage notices. It is possible the Gujarat rules will be challenged, which could change how they are applied.
What this means in practice
If you are registering a religious marriage in Gujarat, expect the process to take longer than before and to involve your parents being told. If confidentiality from family is important to you — for safety or any other reason — talk to an advocate before filing anything. The choice between registration and a Special Marriage Act marriage, and the district you file in, can make a real difference.
Frequently asked questions
Do the 2026 Gujarat rules make parental consent compulsory?
The changes concern the registration process — declarations, notification and waiting time. Parental consent is still not a legal condition for a valid marriage between adults under central law, as repeatedly confirmed by the Supreme Court.
Do the new rules apply to Special Marriage Act marriages?
The Special Marriage Act is a central law with its own notice procedure before the Marriage Officer. Ask us how the current Gujarat practice affects your specific case.