Legal Age of Marriage in India 2026: The Law Explained
In India, the legal minimum age of marriage is 21 years for men and 18 years for women, set by the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and reflected in the personal-law and civil marriage statutes. A marriage below these ages is a child marriage and is an offence; the age proof you submit at registration is how it is checked. A Bill to raise the legal age for women to 21 has been proposed but is not yet in force.
Note: This is general guidance for 2026, not legal advice. Marriage law in India is governed by central Acts but administered state by state, so forms, fees and timelines vary. Always confirm the current process on the official state portal or with your local Sub-Registrar or Marriage Officer, and consult a lawyer for your specific situation.
The legal minimum age today
As of 2026, the legal minimum age of marriage in India is 21 years for the man and 18 years for the woman. This is set by the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and is reflected across the marriage statutes: the Hindu Marriage Act, the Special Marriage Act and others all require the parties to have reached these ages. When you register a marriage, the age proof you submit, such as a passport, birth certificate or 10th-standard marksheet, is precisely how the registrar confirms both parties meet the requirement. See the pillar overview at marriage registration in India and our documents required for marriage registration guide for the age documents accepted.
Why age proof matters at registration
Because the minimum age is a legal condition of a valid marriage, age proof is one of the most important documents at registration, and a mismatch or shortfall is a common reason an application is questioned. Acceptable age proof generally includes a passport, a birth certificate, a school leaving or 10th-standard certificate, or another government document showing date of birth. Make sure the date of birth is consistent across all your documents. Our documents required for marriage registration guide lists what each Act and state accepts.
What the law says about under-age marriage
A marriage where either party is below the legal age is a child marriage under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The Act makes it an offence to perform, promote or permit a child marriage, with penalties, and a child marriage is voidable at the option of the party who was a minor. This is general information; anyone facing a question about the validity of a marriage should consult a lawyer. The civil route for adults is the Special Marriage Act 1954, and our court marriage process in India guide explains court marriage.
The proposed change to 21 for women
A Bill, the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was introduced to raise the legal minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21, to bring it in line with the age for men. As of 2026 this proposal has not become law, so the legal age for women remains 18. Because law in this area can change, confirm the current position before relying on it, and treat any news of a change as effective only once it is notified and in force.
Age and consent for adults
For two consenting adults who meet the age requirement, the choice of partner is protected, and neither family nor community can override it, as our inter-caste and inter-religion marriage guide explains. Meeting the minimum age is one of several conditions of a valid marriage, alongside both parties being unmarried (or validly divorced or widowed) and of sound mind to consent. Once these are met, the couple can solemnise and register under the appropriate Act.
Practical points for couples
Keep a clear, consistent age proof for each partner, since this is checked at registration; reconcile any difference in date of birth across your documents in advance; and remember the minimum age applies whichever Act you marry under. If you are close to the threshold, ensure the document you rely on is one the registrar accepts. For the full document checklist see our documents required for marriage registration guide, and for the registration steps see the pillar at marriage registration in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal age of marriage in India?
21 years for men and 18 years for women, set by the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and reflected in the marriage statutes.
Is the legal age for women changing to 21?
A Bill to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 was proposed in 2021 but, as of 2026, has not become law. The legal age for women remains 18 until any change is notified.
What happens if a marriage is below the legal age?
It is a child marriage under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which is an offence to perform or promote, and such a marriage is voidable at the option of the party who was a minor.
What age proof is accepted for marriage registration?
Generally a passport, birth certificate, school leaving or 10th-standard certificate, or another government document showing date of birth. The date must be consistent across your documents.
Does the minimum age apply to all marriage laws?
Yes. The minimum age of 21 for men and 18 for women applies across the Hindu Marriage Act, the Special Marriage Act and the other marriage statutes.
Does the legal age apply to NRIs marrying in India?
Yes. The legal minimum age applies to marriages solemnised in India regardless of whether a party is an NRI; see our NRI marriage registration guide for the wider process.
Sources and further reading
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