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The government fees for marriage registration in Delhi are straightforward and low. What varies by case — nationality, route, documents required, and post-registration steps — is where costs differ. This guide covers what the government actually charges at each stage.
There are two distinct cost components in any marriage registration process. The first is the government fee — paid directly to the SDM office or the Ministry of External Affairs at prescribed rates. These are fixed, low, and publicly known. The second is the total cost of the process — which depends on your specific situation: which law applies, whether documents need apostille or translation, whether FRRO filings are required, and how complex the case is. This guide covers the government fees. The total cost for your case is quoted at a free consultation.
Fixed rates prescribed by the SDM office and Ministry of External Affairs. These are the same for everyone applying for the same service. They are paid directly to the government authority, not to any intermediary.
Notarization of affidavits, stamp paper, certified translations of foreign documents, and apostille processing through authorized agencies. These vary by nationality, document count, and which languages are involved.
Legal assistance fees depend on the complexity of the case — which law applies, whether FRRO filings are needed, how many nationalities are involved, and whether any complications arise during the process. Quoted at consultation.
All fees below are government-prescribed rates as of 2026. They are paid at the relevant government counter — SDM office, FRRO portal, or MEA authorised agency. These figures do not include any third-party, agency, or professional charges.
| Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) — Tatkal Registration | ||
| Item | Government Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| e-District portal filing | ₹0 | No portal fee — free to submit the online application |
| SDM marriage registration fee | ₹100–₹300 | Varies by SDM jurisdiction in Delhi |
| Stamp paper for affidavit | ₹10 per affidavit | Non-judicial stamp paper, purchased from authorised vendor |
| Certified copy of certificate (if needed) | ₹50–₹100 | Per copy, from the SDM office |
| Special Marriage Act (SMA) — Foreign Nationals & Inter-Faith | ||
| Notice of Intended Marriage filing fee | ₹100–₹150 | Paid at SDM office on Day 1 of notice filing |
| Solemnization fee | ₹150–₹500 | Paid at SDM office on Day 31 (solemnization date) |
| Marriage certificate copy | ₹50–₹100 | Per certified copy |
| Stamp paper for affidavits | ₹10 per affidavit | Each party requires a separate affidavit |
| FRRO Registration — Post-Marriage (Foreign Nationals) | ||
| FRRO online registration portal | ₹0–₹1,000 | Varies by visa category; some categories are free |
| Tourist to X-Visa conversion | ₹1,000–₹3,000 | Ministry of Home Affairs fee; varies by nationality |
| Exit Permit (if required) | ₹500–₹1,000 | Required if tourist visa expires before X-visa is issued |
| MEA Apostille — For International Recognition | ||
| MEA apostille stamp (government fee) | ₹50 per document | The government fee itself is very low — ₹50 per document stamp |
| Outsourced agency handling charge | ₹800–₹2,000 | MEA does not accept documents directly; authorised agencies charge a handling fee |
| State-level attestation (before MEA) | ₹100–₹300 | Required for most documents before MEA apostille |
A rejected Tatkal application requires a fresh filing with corrected documents. If the affidavit needs to be re-executed (new stamp paper, re-notarised), this adds cost and time. Professional filing prevents rejection and eliminates refile costs.
If a foreign document is submitted to the SDM with an incorrect apostille sequence, the file is rejected outright. The document must then be re-attested from scratch in the home country — potentially adding weeks and significant cost to an international couple's trip.
If the foreign partner's visa expires before FRRO registration is complete and an Exit Permit is required urgently, expedited processing adds cost on top of the standard FRRO fees. Planning the visa timeline correctly from Day 1 avoids this entirely.
Documents in Russian, Arabic, French, German, or other languages require certified translation into English, notarization, and apostille of the translation alongside the original. For multi-document filings from CIS countries, this adds meaningful cost — especially when certified translators charge per page.
Under ₹500 for most registrations. HMA Tatkal registration typically costs ₹100–₹300 in government fees at the SDM office. SMA registration costs ₹250–₹650 in government fees (notice fee + solemnization fee). These are the amounts paid directly to the SDM office — they do not include document preparation or professional costs.
No, but the government fees are very low. There are prescribed government fees at the SDM office — typically ₹100–₹500 for the registration itself. The total cost of a court marriage is higher when professional assistance, notarization, apostille, and FRRO filings are included. The e-District portal filing itself carries no government fee.
₹50 government fee per document — but the total cost is higher. MEA does not accept documents directly from individuals. You must submit through an authorized outsourced agency, which charges ₹800–₹2,000 in handling fees. State attestation before MEA adds ₹100–₹300. Total apostille cost through authorized channels: approximately ₹1,500–₹3,500 per document set.
It depends on the visa category. FRRO registration fees vary — some categories carry no fee, others ₹1,000 or more. Tourist to X-Visa conversion carries an additional MHA fee of approximately ₹1,000–₹3,000 depending on nationality. These are payable through the FRRO online portal at indianfrro.gov.in.
This varies significantly by case. A straightforward Indian couple registering under HMA has very low government fees (under ₹500). An international couple needing SMA registration, document apostille, and FRRO compliance will have higher government fees plus document and professional costs. Professional fees depend on case complexity and are quoted at consultation — not listed publicly, as each case has different requirements.
Every case is different. Share your details and we will explain exactly what applies to your situation — which route, which documents, which government fees — and quote professional fees transparently.
Cost depends on which route applies to your situation. Select your pathway for the full process and document details.
Content reviewed by Advocate Gaurav Rohilla | 18+ years matrimonial practice, Delhi NCR | Last updated: June 2026