NRI marriages Registration- Law Commission Recommendation

Source-This post on NRI marriages Registration- Law Commission Recommendation has been created based on the article “Law Commission recommends mandatory registration of NRI, OCI marriages” published in “The Indian express” on 16 February 2024.

Why in the news?

The Law commission, in its 287th report, has proposed making certain changes for NRI marriages by revising the pending Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indians Bill, 2019 (NRI Bill).

Issues with NRI marriages

1) The Law Commission has highlighted the increase in instances of fraudulent marriages. Post marriage, women are being abandoned or being financially exploited.

2)  Due to lack of proper procedure for registration or verification of the NRI spouses’ claims, women are often left without legal recourse.

3) The women are exposed to risks like desertion, domestic violence and isolation from any form of social or familial support while residing in a foreign country.

Proposed recommendation by the law commission in Marriage of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) Bill, 2019.

1) New Procedure for NRI marriage registration- There will be a new procedure for registering marriages with NRIs. NRIs will have to give notice to the district Marriage Officer. The notice will then be displayed for 30 days for anyone who would want to object to the wedding.

2) Penal Provisions- Law commission has recommended penal provisions in cases of failure in registering divorce, failure in providing maintenance and child support etc.

3) Amendment of Passport Act 1967- It has recommended amendment of the Passport Act, 1967, to include the detail of marital status in a person’s passport.

4) Separate division to register NRI marriages- It has also recommended creation of a separate division in the Ministry of Home Affairs or External Affairs to serve as a registry for NRI and OCI marriages.

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