What is the required residency period for a USC to register a marriage to an Indian citizen in India

[team_gn 1]

I have read two different answers from several sources around the Internet. Can anyone with experience tell me whether 1) BOTH parties are required to be in residence for 30 days in the locale where the marriage will be registered or 2) ONLY ONE party is required to be in residence for 30 days. This is regarding a civil marriage, not religious. My fiance and I have different religions, so I may be difficult to find someone to conduct a religious marriage.

Thanks!

[katietw95 16]

My husband and I went to the local marriage office within a few days of me arriving in India this summer to file for a marriage under the Special Marriage Act (due to difference in religions). It was no issue for us. Though, for all civil marriages (like this one), you hve to wait atleast 30 days before you can get married (to give the opportunity for anyone to come forward if they do not thing the parties are going into the marriage in good-faith, etc.). That is the only time requirement that I think is there though because as said we went within a few days after I arrived, and it was no issue at all.

Hope this helps!

[team_gn 1]

Thank you Katie! This is me in contingency mode. My fiance and I will have a K1 interview coming up shortly. Of course I hope for approval. But, if that doesn't happen, I'm just looking ahead to other options. There is no way that I'll be able to take 30+ days away from work to get married in India, and he has already been denied a tourist visa to the U.S. So we would have to find a 3rd country to get married in.

Thanks again for the information.

[katietw95 16]

You are welcome! I wish you luck with your interview. I hope you are approved!

[Kat&Abhi 42]

Thank you Katie! This is me in contingency mode. My fiance and I will have a K1 interview coming up shortly. Of course I hope for approval. But, if that doesn't happen, I'm just looking ahead to other options. There is no way that I'll be able to take 30+ days away from work to get married in India, and he has already been denied a tourist visa to the U.S. So we would have to find a 3rd country to get married in.

Thanks again for the information.

If you use an agent and pay a "fee" you can get around the 30 day requirement. Our agent had all our papers back-dated for our court marriage. we got married in Pune and also used the special marriage act

[katietw95 16]

If you use an agent and pay a "fee" you can get around the 30 day requirement. Our agent had all our papers back-dated for our court marriage. we got married in Pune and also used the special marriage act

Well, I believe this because paying a fee will get just about anything done there. I was just lucky to be able to stay in India with my husband for two months which automatically satisfied the 30 day requirement.