Special Marriage Act, 1954

Contents
Sections	Particulars
Chapter I	Preliminary
1	Short title extend and commencement
2	Definitions
3	Marriage Officers
Chapter II	Solemnization Of Special Marriages
4	Conditions relating to solemnization of special marriages
5	Notice of intended marriage
6	Marriage Notice Book and publication
7	Objection to marriage
8	Procedure on receipt of objection
9	Powers of Marriage Officers in respect of inquiries
10	Procedure on receipt of objection by Marriage Officer abroad
11	Declaration by parties and witnesses
12	Place and form of solemnization
13	Certificate of marriage
14	New notice when marriage not solemnized within three months
Chapter III	Registration Of Marriages Celebrated In Other Forms
15	Registration of marriages celebrated in other forms
16	Procedure for registration
17	Appeals from orders under section 16
18	Effect of registration of marriage under this Chapter
Chapter IV	Consequences Of Marriage Under This Act
19	Effect of marriage on member of undivided family
20	Rights and disabilities not affected by Act
21	Succession to property of parties married under Act
21A	Special provision in certain cases
Chapter V	Restitution Of Conjugal Rights And Judicial Separation
22	Restitution of conjugal rights
23	Judicial separation
Chapter VI	Nullity Of Marriage And Divorce
24	Void marriages
25	Voidable marriages
26	Legitimacy of children of void and voidable marriages
27	Divorce
27A	Alternate relief in divorce proceedings
28	Divorce by mutual consent
29	Restriction on petitions for divorce during first three years after marriage
30	Remarriage of divorced persons
31	Court to which petition should be made
32	Contents and verification of petitions
33	Proceedings to be in camera and may not be printed or published
34	Duty of court in passing decrees
35	Relief for respondent in divorce and other proceedings
36	Alimony pendente lite
37	permanent alimony and maintenance
38	Custody of children
39	Appeals from decrees and orders
39A	Enforcement of decrees and orders
40	Application of Act 5 of 1908
40A	Power to transfer petitions in certain cases
40B	Special provision relating to trial and disposal of petitions under the Act
40C	Documentary evidence
41	Power of High Court to make rules regulating procedure
Chapter VIII	Miscellaneous
42	Savings
43	Penalty on married person marrying again under this act
44	Punishment of bigamy
45	penalty for signing false declaration or certificate
46	Penalty for wrongful action of Marriage Officer
47	Marriage Certificate Book to be open to inspection
48	Transmission of copies of entries in marriage records
49	Correction of errors
50	Power to make rules
51	Repeals and savings
	The First Schedule

[Act No. 43 of 1954 dated 9th. October, 1954]

An Act to provide a special form of marriage in certain cases, for the registration of such and certain other marriages and for divorce.

BE it enact by Parliament in the Fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-