IS COURT MARRIAGE LEGAL IN PAKISTAN? Exploring the Legalities of Court Marriage
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Legal Status of Court Marriage in Pakistan: Court marriage is a legally recognized form of marriage in Pakistan. We are helping our clients The marriage is registered with the government, and the couple is issued a marriage certificate. We are engaged in court marriage processing for the last over 39 years in Pakistan. Marriage contract (Nikah Nama) and marriage certificate serves as proof of the marriage and can be used for various legal purposes.
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Legal Requirements for a court marriage: (1) At least 18 years of age should be required for the bride and groom. However, according to the Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929, child marriage is prohibited. (2) A minimum age limit of 16 is required for girls (in Punjab, KPK and Balochistan) to be able to get a basic education before getting married. (3) It is necessary that both the bride and groom have free will and consent to marry each other without any pressure or reward. (4) As per Pakistani law, Court Marriages must be between opposite sexes, so gay or lesbian marriages are not permitted.
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Required Documents for Court Marriage in Pakistan: The following documents are required for court marriage in Pakistan:
- National Identity Cards (NICs) of both parties
- Two witnesses
- Cost of Marriage/Nikah including lawyer’s fee, Nikah Khawan’s fee, witnesses fee, notarization fee, typing cost, and Nikah registration as well as NADRA marriage registration fee.
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Witnesses for Court Marriage in Pakistan: The witnesses for court marriage in Pakistan can be any two adults, sane and Muslim (or Christian, if the wedding couple c is Christian) who are over 18 years of age and has a valid NIC. (Two female witnesses can be considered equal to one male witness.)
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Legal Rights of Couples in Court Marriage: Couples who opt for court marriage have the same legal rights as couples who get married through traditional wedding ceremonies. They are entitled to property rights, inheritance rights, and other legal rights and protections.
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Legal Implications of Court Marriage in Pakistan: Couples who opt for court marriage should be aware of the legal implications of their decision. They should consult a lawyer to understand their legal rights and responsibilities, including property rights, inheritance rights, and divorce rights.
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Nutshell: Court marriage is a legally recognized form of marriage in Pakistan. It is a simple and affordable way for couples to get married without the hassle and expense of a traditional wedding ceremony. However, couples should consider their individual circumstances and preferences before deciding on the mode of marriage, and they should also be aware of the potential cultural and familial implications of court marriage in Pakistan.