Parsi Marriage Registration in Delhi

Delhi’s Parsi community is small but long established, and Parsi weddings, with the Ashirvad blessing and the lagan celebrations, are among the most distinctive in the city. Parsi marriages have their own law, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, with specific requirements for the ceremony and its certification. Delhi’s compulsory registration order applies too. This guide explains how the two fit together.

The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936

The Act governs marriages between Parsis in India. Its key requirements for a valid marriage are, in summary:

Requirement	What it means
Parties	Both must be Parsis, not within prohibited degrees of consanguinity or affinity
Age	The man at least 21 and the woman at least 18
Ceremony	The “Ashirvad” ceremony, performed by a Parsi priest
Witnesses	Two Parsi witnesses in addition to the officiating priest
Certificate	The priest certifies the marriage in the prescribed form, signed by the priest, the parties and the witnesses
Registration	The certificate is sent for registration with the Registrar of Marriages under the Act

The Ashirvad ceremony

The Ashirvad is the central marriage blessing in a Parsi wedding. It is performed by a Parsi priest (a mobed), who recites prayers and blessings in the presence of the couple, their families and witnesses. Under the Act, it is this ceremony, with the required witnesses, that solemnises the marriage.

The priest’s certificate

After the ceremony, the officiating priest completes a certificate of marriage in the form prescribed by the Act, which the priest, the couple and the two witnesses sign. This certificate is the primary record of a Parsi marriage and is sent for registration under the Act. Ask the priest or the community institution how it is handled for your wedding.

Delhi’s 2014 Order

The Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014 requires registration of all marriages solemnised in Delhi, regardless of religion. Many Parsi couples in Delhi also register with the SDM under the Order, using the priest’s certificate as proof, because the government certificate is easy to use for passports, banks, visas and apostille.

How to register with the SDM

1. Collect the priest’s certificate of marriage.
2. Prepare identity, age and address proof for both spouses, and notarised affidavits.
3. Apply on e-District under the 2014 Order.
4. Attend the appointment with two witnesses.
5. Download the certificate.

Parsi and non-Parsi couples

The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act applies to marriages between Parsis. When a Parsi marries a non-Parsi, the usual route is the Special Marriage Act, a civil marriage before the SDM with a 30-day notice and three witnesses. Couples sometimes also hold a blessing or celebration in keeping with family traditions. Questions about the community status of a spouse or children are matters of community practice and have been the subject of litigation; seek guidance from community institutions and a lawyer. See inter-religion marriage in Delhi.

Documents checklist

• Priest’s certificate of marriage, signed by the priest, couple and witnesses
• Identity, age and address proof for both spouses
• Notarised affidavits on e-stamp paper
• Photographs
• Two witnesses for the SDM appointment
• Divorce decree or death certificate if either was previously married

Planning a Parsi wedding in Delhi

Because Delhi’s Parsi community is smaller than Mumbai’s, planning ahead matters:

• Contact the community institution early to arrange a priest and confirm the date.
• Choose two Parsi witnesses who can attend the Ashirvad and sign the certificate.
• Agree how the certificate will be registered under the Act, and who will send it.
• Plan the SDM registration under the 2014 Order within 60 days of the wedding to avoid a late fee.
• Arrange photographs of the Ashirvad for your records and for registration.

Why register with the SDM too?

The certificate under the Parsi Act is a valid record, but many government and foreign authorities are more familiar with SDM-issued certificates. A government certificate under the 2014 Order is quick to obtain, can be apostilled through the standard route and satisfies Delhi’s compulsory registration rule. Holding both gives you the most complete record.

Divorce and remarriage

Divorce between Parsis is governed by the same 1936 Act and handled by special Parsi matrimonial courts. If either of you was previously married, bring the final decree, and for remarriage under the Act, make sure it is final. See registering a second marriage after divorce.

Common mistakes

1. Not obtaining the priest’s certificate in the prescribed form.
2. Witnesses at the Ashirvad who are not Parsis, where the Act requires Parsi witnesses.
3. Assuming the community certificate is enough for visas.
4. Mixed couples using the Parsi Act instead of the Special Marriage Act.
5. Name spellings that differ from passports.

Worked example: Parsi couple in Delhi

Zubin and Freya marry in an Ashirvad ceremony arranged through Delhi’s Parsi community, with two Parsi witnesses. The priest completes the certificate, and the couple also registers under the 2014 Order with the SDM, using the government certificate for Freya’s passport update.

Worked example: Parsi–Hindu couple

Kaizad, a Parsi, and Riya, a Hindu, marry under the Special Marriage Act in New Delhi district, then hold a family celebration. Their legal marriage is the Special Marriage Act marriage.

Using the certificate afterwards

Use the government certificate for passport updates, bank and insurance records, property matters and visas, and keep the priest’s certificate with it. If you are moving abroad, have the SDM-issued certificate apostilled or attested as your destination requires. See apostille of a marriage certificate.

Checklist for the SDM appointment

• Priest’s certificate of marriage and photos of the Ashirvad
• Identity, age and address proof for both, names as on passports
• Notarised affidavits
• Two witnesses with identity and Delhi address proof
• e-District acknowledgement and fee receipt

Worked example: registering an older Parsi marriage

Behram and Shirin married by Ashirvad in Delhi in 1998. They have the priest’s certificate but never registered with the SDM. For a property transaction, they register under the 2014 Order with the certificate, old photos and their children’s birth certificates, and request remission of the late penalty.

Key terms explained

• Ashirvad: the Parsi marriage blessing that solemnises the marriage.
• Mobed: a Parsi priest.
• Anjuman: a Parsi community association.
• Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936: the law governing marriages between Parsis.

One-line takeaway

Parsi marriages are solemnised by Ashirvad with two Parsi witnesses and certified by the priest; register with the SDM as well for a widely accepted government certificate.

Register your Parsi marriage

WedProof prepares your SDM registration around the priest’s certificate and handles apostille if needed. Use the form on this page for a free check.