If you marry in India, the marriage is registered under the Hindu Marriage Act where both are Hindus, or under the Special Marriage Act where one partner is Polish or of another faith. The Special Marriage Act requires 30 days' notice after one partner has lived in the district for 30 days. The certificate is then apostilled by India's Ministry of External Affairs and translated by a Polish sworn translator so the Polish spouse can have it transcribed into the Polish civil register.
- Document route
- Polish notary, then MFA apostille
- Time difference
- IST is 3.5 to 4.5 hours ahead
- Hindu marriages
- Section 8, Hindu Marriage Act 1955
- Civil marriage
- Special Marriage Act 1954
Marriage Registration from Poland: how it works
For a marriage in India, we check the applicable law, prepare the notice or registration application, and list documents: passports, visas, proof of address, birth details, photographs and declarations of single status. A Polish partner usually needs evidence of being free to marry; documents from Poland need an apostille and an English translation. Under the Special Marriage Act, objections may be raised during the notice period, and the marriage is solemnised before the Marriage Officer with three witnesses. If you already married at a temple in India, we register that marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act.
For use in Poland, the Indian certificate is apostilled by MEA through its authorised service, and the Polish spouse applies to the civil registry office for transcription with a sworn translation. If you married in Poland instead, the Polish certificate is apostilled by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and can be used in India for passports, visas and records. Watch for name spellings that differ between Polish and Indian documents.
What clients in Poland should know
- A Polish civil marriage is valid in India when it follows Polish law, but Indian offices may still ask for an apostilled and translated certificate.
- The Indian partner marrying in Poland usually needs proof of capacity to marry; the Embassy of India in Warsaw or a Polish court process can help.
- Residence permit applications in Poland for an Indian spouse depend on a marriage certificate that Polish authorities accept, so get the transcription done early.
Step by step from Poland
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Poland, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Poland
Polish notary, then MFA apostille
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 Poland where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Poland. 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 Poland and the Cross-Border Family Law practice area.
Questions from clients in Poland
Can we register the marriage without both being in India?
Under the Special Marriage Act both partners must appear before the Marriage Officer. Registration of an earlier Hindu marriage may allow more flexibility in some states.
Is a temple marriage in India enough for Poland?
Only once it is registered and a certificate issued. Polish authorities need an official certificate with an apostille.
Can we marry at the Indian Embassy in Warsaw?
Marriages abroad involving an Indian citizen can be solemnised under the Foreign Marriage Act 1969 at Indian missions, subject to availability and conditions. Ask the Embassy whether it offers this service.