Immigrant Visas

Frequently Asked Questions - Immigrant Visa Unit

My Marriage was never registered. What do I do now?

Any applicant who has ever married must provide an original and a clear photocopy of the marriage certificate (s) for all marriages of the petitioner and for the visa applicant.  Persons who married before 1955, must attempt to register their marriage.  Failing this, they must submit affidavits on appropriate stamp paper sworn before a First Class magistrate by one parent of the groom and one parent of the bride giving the names of the bride and groom, the date and place of the marriage ceremony, the name of the person who performed the ceremony.  Persons married in 1955 and later must submit a marriage registration certificate.  Certificates issued by the appropriate authorities or recognized religious organizations are acceptable if they are legally valid in India.  If any of these documents were issued in local language, a notarized English translation is required in addition to the original.  If you and your spouse are applying for visas, you should submit an original and two clear photocopies of each certificate.