The independent choice of people who meet the legal requirements for marriage is important. Family disagreement alone does not automatically make a marriage invalid, but the age and other statutory conditions must be met.
Being an adult aged 18 is not, by itself, sufficient for every person to be eligible to marry under all marriage laws. Under the Special Marriage Act, the required age is 21 for a man and 18 for a woman, along with other conditions. Issues such as an existing spouse, a prohibited relationship and valid solemnisation must also be considered. If there is a threat or violence, separate protective measures may be necessary.
What should you do now?
- Ensure that both parties meet the age requirements, are not already married, and have given free consent.
- Follow the official procedure under the applicable marriage law.
- If there is a threat, seek assistance from the police and appropriate judicial protection.
Which documents should you keep?
Records relating to proof of age, identity, residence and eligibility to marry.
Avoid this mistake
Fake age documents or an affidavit from an agent alone do not satisfy the statutory conditions.
A hypothetical example
A 19-year-old man describes himself as an adult and wishes to marry under the Special Marriage Act. Adult status and the male marriage-age requirement under that Act are not the same. His eligibility must be fully checked.
If the family files a complaint, is the adult partner’s kidnapping automatically established?
No. Free consent, age and the actual events are important; provide accurate facts during the investigation.
Legal basis and useful sources
- Special Marriage Act, 1954 — Sections 4–13
- Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. — Supreme Court, 8 March 2018; an adult’s choice
This is general legal information. Advice may differ depending on your facts, the applicable law and state rules.