what is special marriage act

The Special Marriage Act, 1954 is an Act of the Parliament of India that provides for civil marriage or registered marriage for people of India, irrespective of religion or faith followed by either party. The Act allows people from two different religious backgrounds to come together in the bond of marriage. The Act originated from a piece of legislation proposed during the late 19th century and replaced the old Act III, 1872. The new enactment had three major objectives: to provide a special form of marriage in certain cases, to provide for registration of certain marriages, and to provide for divorce. The Act is applicable to the entire territory of India and extends to intending spouses who are Indian nationals living abroad. The marriage performed under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 is a civil contract, and there is no need for rites or wedding ceremonies. The parties have to file a Notice of Intended Marriage on a specified form to the Marriage Registrar, and the party must have resided there for at least thirty days immediately preceding the filing. The notice is published, and a thirty-day waiting period is required during which objections may be raised