Amendments of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969

The Union Cabinet today approved the introduction of a Bill in the Budget Session of Parliament to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 to include registration of marriages as well, so that the existing administrative mechanisms will be able to carry out such registration of marriages in accordance with the specified procedures and be able to maintain necessary records and statistics for registration of marriages also.

The Cabinet also approved introducing a Bill in Parliament to further amend the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 to provide for registration of marriages under the Act.

The proposed Bills will be beneficial for the women from unnecessary harassment in matrimonial and maintenance cases. It will also provide evidentiary value in the matters of custody of children, right of children born from the wedlock of the two persons whose marriage is registered and the age of the parties to the marriage.

The Hon`ble Supreme Court vide its judgment dated 14.02.2006 in Seema Vs. Ashwani Kumar (AIR 2006 S.C 1158) has directed the State Governments and the Central Government that marriages of all persons who are citizens of India belonging to various religious denominations should be made compulsorily registerable in their respective States where such marriages are solemnized and inter alia directing that as and when the Central Government enacts a comprehensive statute, the same shall be placed before that Court for scrutiny.

The Committee on Empowerment of Women (2006-2007) in its Twelfth Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) on "Plight of Indian Women deserted by Indian husbands" has viewed that all marriages, irrespective of religion should be compulsorily registered and desired that the Government to make registration of all marriages mandatory, making the procedure simpler, affordable and accessible.

The 18th Law Commission of India in its 205th Report titled" Proposal to Amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and Other Allied Laws" vide paragraph (iv) recommending that "registration of marriages within a stipulated period, of all the communities, viz. Hindu, Muslim, Christians, etc. should be made mandatory by the Government".

The 18th Law Commission of India further in its 211th Report titled "Laws on Registration of Marriage and Divorce- A proposal for consolidation and Reform", recommending for a Parliamentary Legislation on Compulsory Registration of Marriages by enacting of a "Marriage and Divorce Registration Act" which may be made applicable to the whole of India and to all citizens irrespective of their religion and personal law and without any exceptions or exemptions".

The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969) is an Act to provide for the regulation of registration of births and deaths and for the matters connected therewith. Accordingly, provisions have already been provided in the said Act for Registration establishment consisting of Registrar-General, Chief Registrar and Registration Division, District Registrars and Registrars. Further, procedures for registration of births and death and for maintenance of records and statistics are provided for in the said Act. Also, by virtue of the powers conferred under section 30 thereof, rules for compulsory registration of births and deaths have been framed by all the State Governments and Union territory Administrations. Therefore, if the said Act is suitably amended to include registration of marriages as well, then the existing administrative mechanisms will be able to carry out such registration of marriages in accordance with the specified procedures and be able to maintain necessary records and statistics for registration of marriages also.

Taking into account the directions of the Hon`ble Supreme Court in the case of Smt. Seema Vs Ashwani Kumar reported in AIR 2006 S.C. 1158, as well as the reports of the Law Commission of India and the Committee on Empowerment of Women referred to above, the Legislative Department is of the view that the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 may be amended to provide for the compulsory registration of marriages without affecting the State Laws providing for compulsory registration of marriages in their respective States and for this purpose, making necessary provision to avoid duplication of registration of marriages both under the proposed Central Legislation and State Laws. The registration of marriages of the parties under the proposed amendment would not affect any right recognized or acquired by any party to marriage under any law, custom or usage.