A Marriage Certificate is the legal proof of registration of a marriage. It is an important and valid document as it establishes the marital status of a couple. It can be said as an official statement that two people are married.

In India, Marriages can be registered either under:

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955:
Applicability: It is applicable only to the Hindus. It provides for registration of an already solemnised marriage.
Special Marriage Act, 1954:
Applicability: It is applicable to all citizens of India. It provides for solemnisation of a marriage as well as registration by a Marriage Officer.
Presently, it is mandatory for a couple to register their marriage irrespective of the religion they belong to.