Section 11 of SMA : Section 11: Declaration By Parties And Witnesses

Explanation using Example

Imagine a couple, Rita and Alex, who come from different religious backgrounds and want to get married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. They approach the Marriage Officer in their district to register their marriage. Before their marriage ceremony, both Rita and Alex, along with three friends they have chosen as witnesses, go to the Marriage Officer's office. There, they all sign a declaration form that affirms their intent to marry each other. This form is as specified in the Third Schedule of the Act. The Marriage Officer then countersigns the declaration to validate it, and only after this, Rita and Alex's marriage is legally solemnized.