NEW DELHI: Like passports and rail tickets, you can now get a marriage registration certificate issued within 24 hours, using ‘tatkal’ service.

The revenue department of Delhi government has introduced tatkal service ensuring a single-day authorization of marriages under which the registration process will be undertaken on priority.

"In compliance with a Supreme Court order in 2006, Delhi government had made mandatory the registration of marriage within 60 days of tying the nuptial knot. The tatkal service has been introduced to provide the papers on priority basis to those who seek them urgently," Delhi government's revenue secretary Dharam Pal said.

"The service, which became operational on April 22, enables the citizens to register their nuptials and get a certificate issued within 24 hours on payment of Rs 10,000 as fee," he said.

While the government charges Rs 100 as application fee for registration under the Hindu Marriage Act , Rs 150 is levied under Special Marriage Act. Additionally, people pay around Rs 400-500 for acquiring certain affidavits that need to be submitted with the applications.

"We are also considering authorizing the sub-divisional magistrate to register marriages, which is presently done by the additional magistrate," Dharam Pal said.

A Delhi government portal ensuring transparent and hassle free registration process for applicants is expected to go live next month, he added. The portal will enable the applicants to download forms and will offer a step-by-step guide for the process. The users will also be able to check the status of their application, Pal said.

As per lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung's order, the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014 will be applicable to all marriages solemnized in Delhi irrespective of caste, creed and religion of the brides and grooms.

"Any marriage solemnized in Delhi between a man having completed 21 years and a woman of at least 18 years of age on the date of solemnization of the marriage, with at least one of them being an Indian citizen, will have to be compulsorily registered," the order said.

As per the order, the couples will have to apply jointly in the prescribed Form A to the marriage officer in their areas for registration of their marriage. The applications will have to be accompanied by "documentary proof of age, citizenship, identification of the bride and groom, solemnization of marriage and place of their residence."