A marriage validly performed in Bangladesh is generally recognised in India, and its certificate can be attested and translated for Indian use. Couples marrying in India can register under the Special Marriage Act, with a notice period of 30 days, or under their personal law. A Bangladeshi spouse cannot get an OCI card, so the long-term visa and citizenship routes need planning.
- Document route
- Bangladeshi notary, MOFA attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes behind Bangladesh all year
- Hindu marriages
- Section 8, Hindu Marriage Act 1955
- Civil marriage
- Special Marriage Act 1954
Marriage Registration from Bangladesh: how it works
For a marriage registered in Bangladesh, we have the nikahnama or certificate attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian mission, translated, and then presented to the Indian authority that needs it. For a Hindu marriage performed in India, we register it with the marriage registrar under the state rules, using photographs, witnesses and proof of the ceremony.
For a civil marriage in India, we file the notice of intended marriage under the Special Marriage Act in the district where one party has lived for at least 30 days, deal with any objection and arrange the solemnisation and certificate. We then advise the couple on the visa or long-term visa application for the Bangladeshi spouse.
What clients in Bangladesh should know
- The foreign party usually needs a certificate of no impediment or a sworn affidavit of single status.
- Keep consistent name spellings across passports and the marriage record.
- Registration in India helps later in property, succession and banking matters.
Step by step from Bangladesh
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Bangladesh, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi notary, MOFA attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Bangladesh where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Bangladesh. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Marriage Registration, or see all services for clients in Bangladesh and the Cross-Border Family Law practice area.
Questions from clients in Bangladesh
Is a nikah performed in Bangladesh valid in India?
Yes, if valid under Bangladeshi law and the parties had capacity to marry. Attest and translate the nikahnama for Indian use.
Can a Bangladeshi citizen marry under the Special Marriage Act?
Yes. One party must have lived in the district for 30 days before the notice is filed.
Will the marriage certificate help my spouse get a visa?
It is a key document, but the visa decision rests with the Indian authorities and their current policy.