Marriage Registration in UP: Why Aadhaar Alone Is No Longer Accepted as Proof of Age

By the legal team at Neeraj Associates · Updated 11 November 2026 · 7 min read

Practice areas: Family Law Matrimonial Cases

By Team Neeraj Associates, Lucknow · Last reviewed: November 2026 · 6 min read

हिंदी में पढ़ें: विवाह पंजीकरण में उम्र का प्रमाण — हिंदी गाइड

Why is Aadhaar no longer accepted as proof of age for marriage registration?

Aadhaar is an identity document. The date of birth on many Aadhaar cards is entered on the basis of what the holder declared, and is not independently verified. The High Court observed that Aadhaar authentication establishes identity but does not, by itself, establish a person's date of birth.

Registration is meant to be a check against child marriage, and that check fails if the age proof is weak. Aadhaar can still be used as identity and address proof; it cannot be the only proof of age.

What is the legal minimum age for marriage in India?

• Groom: 21 years completed
• Bride: 18 years completed

These ages appear in Section 5(iii) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Section 4(c) of the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA) defines a "child" in Section 2(a) as a male below 21 or a female below 18, and applies to everyone regardless of religion.

Under the October 2026 directions, both parties must have completed the statutory age on the date of the registration application.

Which documents are accepted as proof of age?

The directions point to the following records, to be applied in an order that the State Government has been asked to prescribe:

1. Birth certificate issued by the competent authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (municipal body, Nagar Nigam, or gram panchayat registrar).
2. Matriculation or equivalent certificate (Class 10 board certificate or marksheet showing date of birth).
3. Other educational or government records, but only in the circumstances and order that the State notifies.

This follows the approach of Section 94(2) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which lists the school or matriculation certificate and the municipal or panchayat birth certificate as the primary proofs of age.

Not enough on their own:

• Aadhaar card
• A school transfer certificate that has not been verified with the issuing school

How will the Marriage Registration Officer verify age now?

The directions place clear duties on the officer:

1. Verify the date of birth of both parties and record which document was relied on.
2. Where needed, obtain and check the underlying record from the authority that issued it (the school, board or birth registrar).
3. If two reliable records show different dates of birth, flag the application instead of simply accepting the record that shows the legal age.
4. Record brief reasons for accepting a particular date of birth.
5. If the material shows, or raises a reasonable doubt, that a party is underage, do not process the application routinely. Refer it immediately to the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer (CMPO) and the District Magistrate.

The online system is also to be changed so that an application cannot move forward while age is unverified or flagged, and no certificate is generated on Aadhaar age records alone.

How do I register a marriage in Uttar Pradesh?

Marriage registration in UP is governed by the Uttar Pradesh Marriage Registration Rules, 2017, and applications are made online on the Stamp and Registration Department portal (igrsup.gov.in), followed by a visit to the Sub-Registrar's office.

1. Fill in the online application with details of both parties and the marriage.
2. Upload photographs, age proof, address proof and the wedding invitation or other proof of the ceremony.
3. Keep original age documents ready: birth certificate or Class 10 certificate for both parties.
4. Give details and identity proof of the witnesses.
5. Appear before the Sub-Registrar on the date given, with the witnesses and original documents.
6. The certificate is issued after verification is complete.

Practical tip: If your birth certificate and school record show different dates of birth, expect the application to be flagged. Get the discrepancy corrected with the issuing authority first, or carry both records with an explanation.

What happens if one party is underage?

The PCMA treats child marriage seriously:

• Voidable marriage (Section 3): A child marriage is voidable at the option of the party who was a child. A petition for annulment can be filed in the district court before that party completes two years after attaining majority (that is, before age 20 for a woman and 23 for a man).
• Void marriage (Section 12): If a minor was enticed, taken by force or deceit, or sold or trafficked for marriage, the marriage is void from the start.
• Maintenance and residence (Section 4): On annulment, the court can order maintenance for the female party until remarriage.
• Injunction (Section 13): A Judicial Magistrate can issue an injunction to stop a child marriage that is arranged or about to take place.

What is the punishment for child marriage?

• Adult man marrying a child (Section 9 PCMA): rigorous imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine up to ₹1 lakh, or both.
• Performing, conducting or abetting a child marriage (Section 10): rigorous imprisonment up to 2 years and fine up to ₹1 lakh. This can include priests and organisers.
• Parents, guardians or others who promote, permit or negligently fail to prevent it (Section 11): rigorous imprisonment up to 2 years and fine up to ₹1 lakh. No woman can be punished with imprisonment under this section.
• Offences under the PCMA are cognizable and non-bailable (Section 15).

Giving a false date of birth in a sworn affidavit can also attract the false-evidence provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Sections 227 to 229 BNS, earlier Sections 191 to 193 IPC).

Are these directions permanent?

They remain in force until the UP Marriage Registration Rules, 2017 are amended or a full statutory procedure is introduced. District Legal Services Authorities are to inspect registration offices every two months, and compliance reports are due before the High Court on 27 November 2026. Check the current requirements on the portal before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Is Aadhaar valid as age proof for marriage registration in UP?

No, not on its own. Aadhaar can be used for identity and address, but the date of birth must be verified from a reliable record such as a birth certificate or a Class 10 certificate.

What is the minimum age for marriage registration in UP?

The groom must have completed 21 years and the bride 18 years on the date of the registration application.

Which documents can I use as proof of age?

A birth certificate issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, or a matriculation (Class 10) certificate. Other records may be accepted only as the State Government notifies.

Can a school transfer certificate be used as age proof?

An unverified transfer certificate alone is not treated as sufficient. Keep a birth certificate or Class 10 certificate ready.

What if my birth certificate and school certificate show different dates of birth?

The application will be flagged. The officer will verify the records with the issuing authorities and record reasons for the date accepted. It is better to correct the discrepancy before applying.

Is marriage registration compulsory in Uttar Pradesh?

The UP Marriage Registration Rules, 2017 provide for registration of marriages solemnised in the State. A registration certificate is commonly needed for passports, visas, bank nominations, insurance and maintenance or property claims.

About the authors

Team Neeraj Associates, Lucknow Email: rishi.saxena@neerajassociates-legal.com · Phone: +91 8960006363

Related guides: Mutual Consent Divorce in India; Wife's Maintenance and Permanent Alimony.

Disclaimer: This article is general information as of November 2026, not legal advice. Laws, rules and official procedures change, and the marriage registration requirements in Uttar Pradesh may be revised following the High Court's directions. Please consult an advocate about your situation.