Since different religions have distinct marriage customs and registration procedures, two people from different religions cannot marry according to the norms of a single religion. However, foreign nationals or those in inter religion marriage in bangladesh can marry under the Special Marriage Act 1872 without conversion. Marrying someone from a different religion or country involves legal complexities. This article simplifies these issues, helping you navigate the wedding process smoothly and accurately. (read also Bengali)
what is inter religion special marriage
Love knows no boundaries of caste, religion, or ethnicity, so people of different religions, whether in Bangladesh or abroad, often wish to marry each other. Generally, if two people follow different religions, one must convert to marry. However, the Special Marriage Act of 1872 allows them to marry legally without converting and to continue practicing their own religions.
inter religion marriage in Islam: allowed or not?
In short, this question doesn’t have a straightforward answer and requires discussion. According to Islamic Shariah, a muslim cannot marry a polytheist. Allah states in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 221, “Do not marry polytheist women until they believe.” Therefore, Islam does not support marriage between non-Muslim boys and Muslim girls.
On the other hand, in Surah Al-Ma’ida, verse 5, Allah says, “You may marry righteous women from among the People of the Book.” This means that Muslim men are allowed to marry Jewish or Christian women. But the verse also clarifies that Jewish or Christian men cannot marry Muslim women.
Thus, according to Surah Al-Baqarah verse 221 and Surah Al-Ma’ida verse 5, a Muslim man can marry a Christian or Jewish woman, but a Muslim woman cannot marry a Jew, Christian, or any other non-Muslim man. (We do not help in any work outside the conventional and Islamic Sharia law of Bangladesh.)
Dr. Zakir Naik’s lecture on inter religion marriage
Qualification & Condition for marriage
- Age: The groom must be at least 21 years old, and the bride must be 18 years old or older.
- Marital Status: Neither the groom nor the bride can have another spouse. However, if divorced or widowed, they can marry by presenting the appropriate documents.
- Identification: If either the groom or the bride is a foreign national, they must submit a valid passport along with an immigration seal and a copy of the visa, which will serve as proof of legal entry into Bangladesh.
Necessary Documents for Marriage Registration
To register an interfaith marriage in bangladesh, both parties must submit the following documents:
- Photocopy of Passport/NID: A photocopy of the passport or NID of both parties.
- Photographs: Four passport-sized photographs of each party.
- Photocopy of Immigration Seal: If the marriage involves a foreign national, a photocopy of the immigration seal from the passport office.
- Visa Photocopy: A photocopy of the foreign national’s visa.
- Additional Documents: If one or both parties are divorced, a divorce certificate must be submitted. (Two copies of each document are required)
- Witnesses: The presence of three witnesses is mandatory during the marriage registration.
inter marriage affidavit/ court marriage
The marriage affidavit, known as court marriage, is executed on non-judicial stamp paper with the signatures of the bride, groom, and an advocate, first-class magistrate, or notary public. This affidavit is required at the time of marriage registration. Many people mistake it for a marriage certificate, but it cannot be used for visa or embassy purposes. To obtain the actual certificate, registration must be done through a government-appointed marriage registrar.
inter religion marriage registration process in Bangladesh
- Notice Submission and Application: To apply for inter-religion marriage in Bangladesh, a notice must be given to the Special Marriage Registrar 14 days before the registration. Although online application isn’t possible, you can book an appointment for marriage online.
- Document Submission: Photocopies of the required documents, passports, visas, marriage affidavit/ court Marriage and proof of marital status must be submitted.
- Verification: The registrar will verify all documents from both parties.
- Marriage Registration: If everything is in order, the Special Marriage Registrar will complete the marriage registration in the registration book with the signatures of the bride, groom, and three witnesses. Marriage registration is a very important document that ensures social legitimacy and the legal identity of children. It is also required for travel abroad, spouse visas, and performing Hajj. Registration provides legal protection, reduces the risk of fraud, and ensures rightful claims to a husband’s property after his death.
- Registration Fee: The prescribed fee for the registration process must be paid.
inter religion marriage certificate
After verifying the above process, the Marriage Registrar will complete the marriage registration and issue the certificate based on the passport and other documents. This certificate is the main aim of our work, which will help to obtain spouse proof and visa as the main document of marriage.
Notary Public, Law and Foreign Ministry approval
The obtained marriage certificate is valid for any work within the country. However, three steps are required for international use.
- Notary Public: The certificate must be notarized at a notary public’s office.
- Ministry of Law: The Ministry of Law will attest to confirm the certificate meets Bangladeshi legal standards.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: After the Ministry of Law’s verification, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also verify the certificate. If both attestations are in order, the embassy will accept the certificate and issue a visa according to their country’s regulations.
Advice
- Understand the entire process in detail before starting the work.
- Gather the necessary documents before beginning.
- Consult with an experienced lawyer who specializes in marriages involving foreign nationals.
- Remember, if the marriage registration, certificate, notarization, and ministry attestation are not done correctly, the embassy will not accept the certificate, and the entire process will need to be repeated.
How We Can Help
Our team, with ten years of experience, has successfully excelled in providing marriage and divorce services across different countries and religions. Positive reviews on Google Maps and the work images on our website are strong proof of our professionalism. From application to embassy submission, we complete every step quickly and accurately. For more details, call or WhatsApp: +8801515615786, messenger.
