What is a Marriage Affidavit?
A marriage affidavit (vivah shapat patra) is a legally sworn declaration in which a married couple declares their marriage details — including their names, date of marriage, place of marriage, and current marital status.
It is one of the most commonly required documents in India. It is used when a marriage certificate is not immediately available, or when an additional proof of marriage is required by a government authority, embassy, bank, or court.
Note: A marriage affidavit is a self-declaration sworn before a Notary Public. It is different from a Marriage Certificate, which is issued by the Registrar of Marriages after official registration.
Where is a Marriage Affidavit Required?
A marriage affidavit is commonly required for the following purposes:
- Passport — Adding spouse's name to your Indian passport
- Visa applications — USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen countries
- Bank account — Adding spouse as joint holder or nominee
- Marriage registration — Along with other documents at the Registrar's office
- Insurance — Adding spouse as beneficiary
- Property matters — Joint ownership, inheritance
- Immigration — Spouse visa, PR applications
- Employment benefits — Medical, PF, gratuity nominations
- Court proceedings — Family matters, maintenance
- Educational purposes — Some universities require proof of marriage for married students
Documents Required for Marriage Affidavit
Keep the following documents ready before you begin:
- Aadhaar card (both spouses)
- PAN card (both spouses)
- Marriage certificate (if available)
- Marriage photograph
- Wedding invitation card (if available)
- Address proof of both spouses
- Age proof (birth certificate / 10th marksheet)
- Two witnesses with valid ID proof
- Non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 / ₹20 / ₹50 / ₹100)
- Passport-size photographs (both spouses)
Marriage Affidavit Format — What It Contains
A standard marriage affidavit format typically includes the following information:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Husband's Name | Full legal name |
| Wife's Name | Full legal name (including maiden name if applicable) |
| Father's Name (both) | For identity verification |
| Address | Current residential address of the couple |
| Date of Marriage | Actual date of marriage |
| Place of Marriage | City / venue of marriage |
| Marital Status | Married / Not married to anyone else |
| Declaration | Sworn statement that marriage is valid |
| Place & Date | Where and when the affidavit is signed |
| Signatures | Both spouses + two witnesses |
| Notary Verification | Notary stamp, registration number & seal |
How to Make a Marriage Affidavit — Step by Step
- Fill the online form on AffidavitFormat.com with both spouses' names, date of marriage, place of marriage, and other details.
- Choose your language — Hindi, English, or bilingual (Dwibhashi).
- Select the correct stamp paper value for your state — ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper.
- Click Preview to review the affidavit. Check spellings, dates, and details carefully.
- Print the affidavit on the selected stamp paper. If you don't have stamp paper, use e-stamp paper from the SHCIL portal.
- Both spouses sign before a Notary Public along with two witnesses. The notary will verify identity and apply their seal.
- Attach supporting documents — Aadhaar, marriage certificate (if any), wedding photos, etc.
- Submit to the authority — passport office, embassy, bank, or marriage registrar.
State-wise Stamp Paper Value for Marriage Affidavit
Stamp paper values vary by state. Below is a quick reference:
| State | Stamp Paper Value |
|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹10 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹10 / ₹50 (varies by purpose) |
| Maharashtra | ₹100 / ₹500 (varies by purpose) |
| Karnataka | ₹20 / ₹50 |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹20 |
| West Bengal | ₹10 / ₹50 |
| Gujarat | ₹20 / ₹100 |
| Rajasthan | ₹10 / ₹50 |
| Bihar | ₹10 / ₹50 |
| Kerala | ₹20 / ₹50 |
Tip: Always confirm the correct stamp paper value with the receiving authority (passport office, embassy, or bank) before purchasing.
Important Points to Remember
- Both spouses must sign the affidavit in the presence of the Notary.
- The date and place of marriage must be accurate — this is the most important information.
- Use the correct stamp paper value as per your state and purpose.
- Attach supporting documents — marriage photos, invitation card, marriage certificate — to strengthen your case.
- Do not use a marriage affidavit for purposes that specifically require a Marriage Certificate.
- Keep multiple notarized copies — you will need them for passport, visa, bank, and insurance.
- The affidavit should ideally be notarized close to the date of use.
Legal Tip: If you have a marriage certificate, attach a photocopy with the affidavit. If not, the affidavit alone often suffices as preliminary proof.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A marriage affidavit is a sworn legal declaration in which a married couple declares their marriage details including names, date of marriage, place of marriage, and current marital status.
A marriage affidavit is required when a marriage certificate is unavailable or when additional proof of marriage is needed. It is commonly required for adding a spouse's name in a passport, spouse visa applications, bank account updates, and marriage registration.
Yes. A marriage affidavit is legally valid in India when it is printed on non-judicial stamp paper, signed by both spouses, witnessed by two witnesses, and notarized by a licensed Notary Public.
You need Aadhaar cards of both spouses, marriage photograph, wedding invitation card (if available), address proof, age proof (birth certificate or 10th marksheet), two witnesses with ID proof, and non-judicial stamp paper of the applicable value.
A marriage certificate is not always mandatory for a marriage affidavit. If available, it strengthens the affidavit. However, most authorities accept a notarized marriage affidavit in place of a certificate for preliminary purposes.
The affidavit format is free on AffidavitFormat.com. You only pay for the non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 to ₹100) and notary charges (usually ₹50 to ₹200).
Yes. A marriage affidavit is commonly required for adding a spouse's name to your passport. It is submitted along with other documents such as the marriage certificate, wedding photos, and spouse's ID proof.
Yes. Many embassies including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Schengen countries accept a notarized marriage affidavit as proof of marriage, especially when a marriage certificate is not immediately available.
A marriage certificate is issued by a government authority (Registrar of Marriages) after official registration, while a marriage affidavit is a sworn self-declaration notarized by a Notary Public. A certificate has higher legal weight, but an affidavit can be used as preliminary proof.
Yes. AffidavitFormat.com provides the marriage affidavit in Hindi, English, and bilingual (Dwibhashi) formats, which you can print directly from your browser.
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