Marriage, or Nikah in Islam, is the most sacred event in any muslim couple’s life. It is a legal contract (Aqd-e-Nikah) with rights, responsibilities, and documentation governed by both Islamic law (Sharia) and Indian civil law.
Hence, every couple needs to be aware of it to avoid any problems. Nikah involves both a religious celebration and official documentation for the marriage to be considered legitimate in India.
Nikah is a civil as well as spiritual contract between the bride and the groom. A Nikah takes place based on mutual consent, declaration of Meher, and two attesting witnesses. A Qazi or any Nikah Registrar authorised to perform the rituals offers the service to make sure that the Islamic and legal requirements are followed in the ceremony.
After the Nikah is performed, the Qazi issues a Nikahnama that is treated as the primary proof of marriage under Muslim law.
In Hyderabad, the marriage is legally recognised through the Muslim Personal Law Application Act, 1937. However, for the civil proof, the marriages need to be registered under the Andhra Pradesh Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2002. It applies in Telangana too.
Nikah registration in Hyderabad is a straightforward process, but you should be aware of the places where you can get your Nikah Registered:
Qazi Office that is authorised by the Telangana Waqf Board, or
The Sub-Registrar Office under the Telangana Registration Department.
It usually consists of the attestation process of the Nikahnama and its submission along with other documents. On verification, a Marriage Certificate is issued that establishes legal recognition.
Couples and families must make sure to carry the following documents to avoid any last-minute hassle:
Aadhaar cards of both bride and groom.
Address proof, such as:
Voter ID
Passport
Utility bill.
Proof of birth date for verification of legal age-21 years for the groom and 18 years for the bride.
Passport-sized photographs of both partners.
Original Nikahnama signed by the Qazi.
Identity proof of two witnesses
An affidavit of marital status and consent.
You will need a divorce decree or death certificate if previously married.
These documents are very important as they ensure that the provision of transparency and authenticity is maintained during the registration process.
The process of registration is easy, and it generally gets completed within 7 to 10 working days.
Step 1. First to do the Nikah in front of a licensed Qazi, in whose presence the details are recorded in the Nikahnama.
Step 2: Collect all the necessary documents of both partners and the witnesses to avoid any last-minute hassle
Step 3: In the next step, the couple has to appear before the local Sub-Registrar office, and this will be done in front of the witnesses.
Step 4: Verification and payment of the registration fee is the final step.
Step 5: Finally, you can get the certified Marriage Certificate, which will also serve as proof of registration.
Though many couples consider the religious ceremony enough. But it is important to understand that the registration of Nikah is equally important. It legally protects both spouses in events such as divorce or property ownership.
It also becomes vital in applying for passports and bank-related formalities. In short, registration gives the marriage its legal validity and long-term security.
The Qazi is the one who performs the Nikah in Hyderabad and all over India. He plays an important role in the performance of an Islamic Nikah according to Shariah and in the eyes of the law. The Qazi gets the confirmation of the consent of both parties, and also declares the Meher before recording all details in the Nikahnama accordingly.
The registered Qazis are listed at the Telangana Waqf Board. Consequently, the couples will have to ensure that the Qazi under whose hands they intend to get married is registered, since only the registered Qazi can provide valid documents for further registration.
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The cost of the Nikah ceremony depends on the Qazi, as well as the venue. The charges of such a religious marriage generally range from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000.
The registration fee charged by the government ranges from ₹ 500 to ₹ 1,000. In addition, charges are levied for notarised affidavits or special documentation. The entire process can be completed within a week to ten days.
When one of the partners is resident abroad or in another Indian state, further steps are required.
The required documents in an NRI marriage include passport copies, visa pages, and a No Objection Certificate from the concerned embassy. There is also an affidavit to confirm the marital status of the NRI partner.
In such special cases, it is expected that the couples would consult the office of the Sub-Registrar or a legal expert for advice in order not to render their marriage invalid internationally.
As a convenient step for working professionals and NRI couples, the Government of Telangana provides an option for online registration of marriages.
Other websites, such as BestMuslimMarriage.com, also serve families and individuals through the Nikah process. It connects its users with licensed Qazis, and it has all the networks that will make your wedding easy.
Many couples commit the mistake of ignoring the legal registration once Nikah has taken place. Some other couples approach unlicensed Qazis, which in fact can create future complications.
All the documents are required to be submitted correctly, and the credentials of the Qazi or registrar should be checked. Moreover, the couples must avoid using wrong or incomplete information during documentation that might delay their registration.
Nikah is a sacred contract in Islam that joins faith with legal responsibility. However, sometimes it can be tricky due to mismanagement of the documents and important details. Hence, don't take any headache on you and transfer it to BestMuslimMarriage.com. They will help you in every step of your Nikah.
1. Is the Nikah performed in front of a Qazi legally valid without government registration?
While the Nikah ceremony itself constitutes a valid religious marriage under Muslim Personal Law, without government registration, it is not accorded civil recognition. The Nikahnama proves your religious marriage; for it to be accepted as valid legal proof for passports, visas, bank accounts, and in courts of law, you must obtain a Marriage Certificate from the Sub-Registrar's office.
2. Can we register our Nikah on the same day as the ceremony?
No, generally, same-day registration is not possible. First is the Nikah ceremony, which leads to the Nikahnama. You will then have to take this document with all other required papers to the Sub-Registrar's office for the separate registration process, usually taking 7-10 working days.
3. What should we do if our Qazi is not registered with the Waqf Board?
If your Qazi is not registered, the Nikahnama issued by them may not be accepted for government registration. You will have to check the credentials of the Qazi well in advance. If you performed the Nikah with an unregistered Qazi, then you might want to consult the Sub-Registrar's office or a lawyer to regularise your marriage certificate, which may entail some other processes.
4. Is a witness required at the Sub-Registrar's office for Nikah registration?
Yes, generally, you are required to bring along two witnesses who attended your Nikah ceremony at the time of applying for a marriage certificate to the Sub-Registrar's office. Identity proof related to them is to be provided, and they may also be asked to sign an affidavit.
17th November, 2025
