In Pakistan, Court marriage is considered a convenient as well as an easy option to tie the knot. It permits couples to marry in a short period of time and without any interference or disturbance from their family members. However, the entire process of court marriage in the country can be difficult and challenging for numerous people. Luckily, with the assistance of a trustworthy lawyer, couples can do court marriage in Pakistan with confidence and ease. There are various reasons why couples might select the option of a court marriage.
People often meet on social media websites and matrimonial apps and become committed for marriage but sometimes its hard for them to convince family members for proper wedding. Court marriages likewise eliminate the requirement for families to give their approval or blessing, which can sometimes be very complicated to get. The process is quicker option as compared to traditional weddings, which can be time-consuming and expensive. These marriages offer more privacy to couples and permit them to avoid undesirable publicity from having a classical Nikah ceremony. In this article, our expert Tashheer team has gathered all the details about the court marriage process, the official age for it, and other necessary details.
Court Marriage Procedure for Muslims
In Pakistan, the procedure for court marriage has made it easier to form an official and legitimate bond between a male and a female, confirming their commitment to each other in the presence of a nikah registrar or magistrate.
Furthermore, the court marriage in the country is a legal avenue approved by the Constitution, hence preserving the freedom of people to choose their partners. It is quite easy under Pakistani law with particular conditions and needs few compulsory documents that we will discuss later. Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of marriage lawyers in the courts.
The step-by-step guide for court marriage in Pakistan is as follows:
- The first and foremost step is to communicate with a court marriage lawyer to assist with the entire process. These lawyers can help people understand every requirement and prepare for the marriage.
- Once every requirement has been completed, the couple must go to court to get a marriage license. The court will give a time and date for the event.
- The marriage itself is not time-taking and normally takes just an hour. Once the ceremony is over, the couple will get their Marriage Certificate.
- After that, the couple can then take their marriage certificate to a government office for registration. Remember that court marriages are allowed in Pakistan and are legalized by the government.
Read more about: How to Register Your Complaint on Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP)
Documents Required for Court Marriage
The documents required for court marriage in Pakistan are as follows:
- National identity cards/passports of both the man and woman.
- 2 witnesses more than 18 years old.
- A conversion certificate if even one of the associates is not Muslim.
- 2 pictures (each of the groom and bride).
- A correctly completed application form for court marriage.
- Those who want to obtain a Second Marriage Certificate will have to provide a death certificate or an officially certified certificate from your partner.
- The charges for the court marriage license.
- The permission of the guardian if any of the partners is below 18 years old.
- Keep in mind that there are 2 ways for a male to get married once more: either with the permission of his first wife or via an arbitration council.
Can Someone Do Court Marriage Online?
Age Limit for Male and Female
According to the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961, and the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, the legal age for court marriage in Pakistan is 16 for females and 18 for males. A bride or groom under this age is not allowed to go even for court marriage, as this is the minimum age to get married.
Lawyer Fee and Charges
A lawyer’s fee for court marriage in Pakistan can differ based on his city as well as experience. Normally, the court marriage lawyers charge around 25,000–50,000 rupees for their services, incorporating all the required paperwork, documentation, Nikah Khawan’s charges, and registration.
People Required & Procedure Time
To be legal for court marriage in Islam, some specific requirements must be fulfilled. Two people other than the bride and groom should be present as witnesses at the court during the marriage.
Moreover, the entire court marriage procedure takes twenty to thirty minutes, depending on the number of individuals coming for the marriage on that specific day.
Legal Protection for Couples
Court marriage offers an economical and simple option for people who are unable to afford luxury wedding events. However, it is important to remember that the word “court marriage” is not mentioned in any Ordinance, Act, Schedule(s), or Rule(s) under Pakistani regulation. Rather, these unions are legal by a court of law and formalized with legal assistance.
According to the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance (1961), individuals are allowed to marry the opposite gender. Courts in the country are responsible for preserving the marriage rights of couples planning to marry under the law. Societal burdens can create complications for adults following legal marriage, particularly when most of them are unfamiliar with the procedure of court marriage in Pakistan.
Court Marriage Validity According to Islam
As we have already discussed earlier court marriage is a legal procedure in Islam. The couple should go to legal court and then sign a legal document known a nikah nama. This legal document proves that they are officially married. The groom also has to give a Mehr to the bride according to Islamic laws. Furthermore, if all the conditions are fulfilled, the marriage will be regarded valid in Islam, no matter whether it is done in a court or any other place.
It is crucial to note that practices and interpretations may differ among several cultural contexts and Islamic schools of thought. That’s why consulting with a well-informed Islamic cleric or scholar can give proper guidance according to individual circumstances.
Court Marriage Status under Pakistani Law
Court marriages are legal in the country and are officially allowed by the Pakistani law. These marriages are directed in the presence of 2 witnesses by a Judge. However, there are some requirements that should be met to be eligible for it. Both the groom and bride need to be of Pakistani nationality and Muslims
Final Words
In Pakistan, court marriage is a legal union between a male and a female. It is a simple process that offers legal protection and recognition to the couple. The couple should have all the required documents as well as approvals from the Pakistani court to be allowed to get married. The entire process of the marriage has already been discussed in detail above. However, the official marriage certificate called Computerized Marriage Certificate, is allotted by another government official known as the NADRA. Moreover, two witnesses should be present at the time of marriage and the official age should be 16 for females and 18 for males.
About the Author: Alishba
