Last Updated: April 26, 2025
Credits: Thanks to Rakesh Kumar for sharing his experience of getting a marriage certificate in painstaking detail.
Zen Citizen has researched and consolidated workarounds to help navigate any challenges you might face in obtaining a marriage certificate on the Kaveri portal. Hope this helps make the process smoother for you.
Please refer to these links for issues and information applicable across all government services: Troubleshooting Technical Issues, How to prepare your documents like a Pro, Common Do’s & Dont’s, Glossary
At Least One Karnataka Address Needed for Marriage Registration
To be eligible to get a Marriage Certificate on the Kaveri portal:
- Either the bride’s current or permanent address must be in Karnataka, OR
- Either the groom’s current or permanent address must be in Karnataka, OR
- The marriage ceremony must have taken place in Karnataka.
If the bride or groom lives in Karnataka but doesn’t have proof of address, the easiest way to get one for the application is by updating their Aadhaar address online using a broadband or mobile phone bill. This can be done on the UIDAI website, and the updated Aadhaar copy can be downloaded within 2-3 days.
Photo Guidelines
Steps to Resize and Format your Photo
The photo must be B2 size 707mm × 500mm. The equivalent in pixels is 2673 × 1890 px. The file must also be under 2MB. The tricky part is that resizing the image increases the file size and vice versa. We created the Kaveri Image Resizer to solve for this. Simple upload your image to get a photo that matches the requirements for the Kaveri portal.
Type of photo
- Technically, the requirement is just a joint photo – there’s no specific guideline, as long as it features the couple. However, some Sub-Registrar Offices (SROs) have rejected applications citing photo issues. To avoid complications, upload a formal couple photo (not a wedding photo with covered heads, etc.), and include a wedding attire photo along with the wedding card in a single PDF as marriage proof. The formal couple photo will be included in the marriage certificate.
More Photo Tips
- If you need to replace the uploaded photo, simply click on the upload icon and choose a new image. This is not intuitive on the website.
- Background colour of the photo does not matter.
- At the start of the online application, the site mentions: “2MB size accompanying photograph of the bride and groom should be scanned in PDF format for uploading and physically present in the office of Deputy Registrar concerned in 5 numbers.” This does not apply to the online application.
Entering District, Taluk, Hobli, and Village Information
There are two types of classifications to consider: revenue classification and postal classification.
For the Bride’s and Groom’s Addresses, and the Place of Marriage address if in Karnataka, ensure you enter the District, Taluk, Hobli, and Village according to the Revenue Department classification. Example: You will not see ‘Bangalore Urban’ listed as a district in the dropdown. Instead, Bangalore Urban is divided into five revenue districts: Basavanagudi, Shivajinagar, Jayanagar, Gandhinagar, and Rajajinagar.
You can use the Civic Compass tool we developed. Simply enter the address or pincode to find the Revenue District, Taluk, Hobli, and Village names.
This is an important step. Based on the information you provide, the SRO dropdown will display the relevant SROs for that address. If you choose an SRO and fail to upload the required address proof, your application will be returned.
For addresses outside Karnataka, it’s okay if you don’t have the correct revenue classification.
For witness addresses, only the regular postal address district and taluk information is needed. Hobli and Village details are not required for witness addresses.
Coordinating with Witnesses
Three witnesses are required, all of whom must be at least 18 years old. Witnesses can be from either the bride’s side, the groom’s side, or a mix of both. They can be relatives or friends.
Let the witnesses know to expect some back and forth in the process, that it requires a bit of patience. Example, If the application is rejected for any reason, such as the SRO requesting additional information, they will need to eSign again in order to resubmit the application.
Gather the following details of witnesses to fill them out before the eSign process:
- Full Name (exact spelling & spaces as per Aadhaar – any mismatch will cause eSign failure).
- Gender: Note that the gender field is auto-selected as “Male” for witnesses. Please make sure to change it if the witness is female – otherwise, the SRO will reject the application.
- Date of Birth
- Current & Permanent Address: Street Address, District, Taluk, Pincode
Schedule a 30-minute window with all witnesses to complete the eSign process. There is no option to save progress after each witness completes their eSign. All five parties must complete their eSign within a short time window to avoid session timeout – in which case the entire eSign process must be repeated from the beginning. To avoid timeout issues, log out and log back in before starting the eSign step. Detailed information here.
Aadhaar Name Mismatch
Please ensure that you enter the full name exactly as it appears on the Aadhaar card in the First Name field. Otherwise the eSign authentication will fail.
Ignore the eKYC Option: It Doesn’t Work, and It’s Not Mandatory
On the Bride’s Details, Groom’s Details, and Witness pages, you’ll see an option at the top of the page to perform eKYC. This involves selecting either the Current or Permanent address and entering the person’s Aadhaar number. The intended benefit is that it would auto-fill details like name, date of birth, address, and phone number.
However, in practice, the eKYC option rarely works. When you attempt eKYC, you will most likely see a loading spinner (a revolving green circle at the top right) along with a “Please wait” message – and it will not proceed further.
Ignore the eKYC option and enter all the required details manually.
If you happen to click on eKYC and the page freezes, you can simply refresh the page using your browser’s refresh button, or click the address bar and press Enter. You will return to the same form page, where you can continue filling in the required information manually, starting with the first name, address, and so on.
Selecting the Sub-Registrar Office in the ‘Review Summary’ Step
A maximum of five SROs (Sub-Registrar Offices) can appear in the dropdown in the ‘Review Summary’ section. These are based on:
- Current address of the bride
- Permanent address of the bride
- Current address of the groom
- Permanent address of the groom
- Address of the place of marriage
The SRO you select cannot be edited once you click ‘Continue’ on the Review Summary section, even if you have not yet submitted the application. So select carefully.
Also, you must upload an address proof that matches the SRO you select.
If the address proof does not match, your application will be returned. Example: If you list Basavanagudi as the current address of the groom, Basavanagudi SRO will appear in the dropdown. If you select Basavanagudi ensure you have uploaded current or permanent address proof in Basavanagudi.
If your application is returned, you cannot change the selected SRO; you must upload address proof corresponding to the SRO originally selected.
On a side note: Unlike property registration, where a citizen can register a document at any SRO within the same revenue district, for marriage registration, you must register at the SRO that has jurisdiction over the bride’s or groom’s current or permanent address, or the place of marriage.
eSign Tips
- In eSign, you are performing authentication using your Aadhaar. You enter your Aadhaar number, get an OTP, enter the OTP, and the system checks whether the details you entered in Kaveri match your Aadhaar records. If they match, your identity is verified and eSign is completed.
- Keep your Aadhaar number ready and ensure you have access to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar to receive the OTP.
- Log Out and Log Back In Before Starting eSign: On the Kaveri portal, the session automatically times out after 30 minutes, even if you are actively performing actions on the site. If the timeout happens while you are on the eSign page, you will have to restart the entire eSign process for all parties, even if you had already completed eSign for some of them. To avoid this, log out and log back in before starting the eSign step. This will refresh your session and give you a full 30 minutes to complete all five eSigns without interruption.
- Before starting the eSign process for all parties, make sure all information is accurate. Once eSign is completed, any changes or going back to previous steps will require you to restart the eSign process for all parties from the beginning. For instance, ensure the names match exactly as they appear on the Aadhaar card. If they don’t, you’ll get the error: “Signer name is not matching with Aadhaar name.” In this case, correct the name and restart the eSign process for everyone. Also, note that if too much time passes, your session may expire before you finish eSigning for all parties. It’s essential to double-check everything before starting the eSign process to avoid this.
- Do not click ‘Close’ at the bottom of the ‘Review’ page unless you have completed eSign for all 5 parties. If you click ‘Close’ before completing all eSigns, you will be taken back to the main page. You will have to re-do eSign for all parties, even those who had already completed it earlier.
- Sometimes after clicking on ‘eSign’, you might see a yellow revolving circle that keeps spinning. If this happens: Refresh the page using your browser’s refresh button, or click the browser’s back button (on this site, clicking ‘Back’ will not log you out) or Click ‘Back’ on the application screen.
File Upload Criteria
Only PDF files are allowed, with a maximum file size of 5MB.
Payment Process – Choose ‘Net Banking’
Keep your Net Banking details ready before proceeding with the payment; if the payment page times out, the application status will change to ‘Payment Pending,’ and you won’t be able to retry until the status updates to ‘Payment Failed.’ This update can take anywhere from 24 hours to a month. According to call center staff, they have no control over expediting this change.
There are two payment options: Net Banking and Payment through Bank Transfer. Do NOT choose ‘Payment through Bank Transfer.’ This redirects you to another government website called Khajane II, and the process is complicated. You do not want to go this path.
There is no option to pay via debit card, credit card, or UPI – only Net Banking is accepted.
Common Reasons for Rejection
- Wrong SRO selected – SRO is not in the jurisdiction
- SROs may insist on SSLC/10th standard mark sheets for age proof.
- Certificates uploaded are not in English or Kannada.
- Scanned documents are unclear.
Log-In issues
- Logout of the site using the ‘Logout’ feature – don’t just close the tab or let the website timeout. A common error is ‘Session Expired’ or ‘Multiple active sessions detected. Do you want to clear all your previous active sessions?’ Clearing history and cache won’t help, likely because you’re still logged in to the Kaveri backend.
- Sometimes, the OTP may be delayed on the phone, but it is sent to the registered email immediately.
- First step to resolve technical issues, such as a page not loading completely or a specific feature not functioning: Try on a different device, browser, or private/incognito tab. Clear history and delete cookies.
- Use the breadcrumb navigation to go back; do not use the browser’s back button.
Downloading the Marriage Certificate
After completing the payment and review by SRO, the status of your application will change to ‘Registration complete’. Please don’t worry if you don’t see an option to download the certificate. It can take a couple of days for the ‘Download Certificate’ option to display.
Additional Documents
If the SRO requests additional documents, compile them into a single PDF before uploading. You can save each file as a PDF and then merge them using an online tool like this one.
Examples of documents that may be requested:
- Receipt from the wedding hall where the ceremony took place
- Marriage photos along with the wedding card
- Marriage affidavit
Save screenshots of the submission date, rejection date, and the reason given for rejection. This information may not be accessible later, so it’s important to keep records, if you need to file a Sakala appeal.
Going Back to a Previous Section
If you need to return to a previous screen, you can:
- Click on ‘Back’ within the application
- Click on the previous section inside the green circle at the top
- Use the back button of your browser
Finding your saved application
To find your saved application, click on the ‘Marriage Registration’ tab on the Home Page. This isn’t very intuitive.
Sometimes, the uploaded photo may not display on the page. If this happens, proceed by entering the date of marriage and wedding venue, then click ‘Continue.’ If you’re able to do this, it means the photo is stored in the application, so there’s no need to worry.
Issues with Saving Information
If you are unable to click ‘Continue’ or ‘Save Witness Details,’ it usually means you missed filling a compulsory field or entered special characters in a name field.
Salutation Field
The salutation you select will appear on your marriage certificate. You can choose Ms, Mrs/Mr, or Smt/Sri, based on your personal preference.
Grievance Redressal
Government officers often choose to process requests quickly for those who file a Sakala appeal or an RTI application; for every person who resists a bribe, a thousand pay without question.
Sakala
If your application is rejected without a clear reason, or you believe the reason is unjustified, or, if there is no change in the application status/approval is delayed, you can either file a Sakala appeal or submit an RTI application.
Note that Sakala timeline of 1 day for getting marriage registration certificate is from the date of payment. If the SR has not approved your application and enabled the ‘Make payment’ option, then you cannot file a Sakala appeal. You will get a Sakala acknowledgement number only after you make payment. In such cases please file an RTI.
First Appeal: The Officer’s decision should be given within a maximum of 30 working days. Link to file Appeal 1
Second Appeal: The Officer’s decision should be given within a maximum of 30 working days. The second appeal is the final appeal. Link to Appeal 2
Sakala Helpline: 080-4455-4455.
RTI
The Right to Information (RTI) is an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2005 that allows citizens to request information from a “public authority” and requires a response within 30 days from the date of application submission.
You can file an RTI Application with the Government of Karnataka here
The time limit for the Government to respond to an RTI application is 30 days
Every online RTI application must include a digital payment of Rs. 10. Applicants below the poverty line are exempt from this fee.
You will see this message: “Please do not file RTI application/first appeal through this portal for Departments/Public Authorities under Central Government or other State Governments. If filed, the application would be returned without refund of the fee amount.” — This message is advising you to file RTI applications only for Karnataka. Some citizens mistakenly interpret it as meaning they cannot file RTI applications for any state government through this portal.
For Public Authority, please search for ‘DPAR’ and select ‘Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms(DPAR e-Gov)’
Template text for filing an RTI application is below. If you prefer you can include additional details here. Example, “My application was returned by the SRO asking for marriage photos in B2 size. After uploading the photos, the application was returned again with the same reason.” However, please note the character restrictions here.
If you wish to upload documents to support your case, please follow these guidelines.
Once you submit the RTI application online, please save a soft copy of your RTI application for future reference. The RTI portal allows you to save a soft copy of your application.
Template Text
I applied for a Marriage Certificate at the <Name of the Sub-Registrar Office>.
I request the following information under the Right to Information Act, 2005:
- The current status of my Marriage Certificate application.
- The reason for the delay in issuance of the certificate.
- The details of the officer responsible for processing my application.
- The expected timeline for issuance of the certificate.
- A copy of any internal correspondence or file notings related to my application.
As per the Section 6 (3) of the RTI Act, where an application is made to a public authority requesting for an information which is held by another public authority, or the subject matter of which is more closely connected with the functions of another public authority, the public authority, to which such application is made, shall transfer the application or such part of it as may be appropriate to that other public authority and inform the applicant immediately about such transfer
As per Sections 7(8)(iii) and 7(3)(ii) of the RTI Act, 2005, I request the PIO to provide details of the First Appellate Authority.
The above information be kindly provided to the following e-mail <enter your email address here >
RTI fee of Rs 10 paid through RTI portal
Applicant Details:
- Name: [Your Full Name]
- Application Number: [If available]
- Date of Application: [DD/MM/YYYY]
- Contact Details: [Your Phone/Email]
Other FAQ
- Mode of Application
- Online
- In-person at the Sub-Registrar Office
- ❌ Not available at Karnataka One/Bangalore One centers
- Cost & Timeline
- The SRO typically takes 5-14 days to verify the application and enable the payment option. Once payment is made, the Government commits to providing the certificate for download within 1 working day, though it usually takes 5-7 days. The entire process can take up to 3 weeks. If there is an undue delay or your application is returned without a valid reason, please file an RTI.
- Sakala Timeline: 1 working day after the payment
- Cost: ₹25
- Notarization is not required for any of the documents.
- If your Aadhaar name differs from the name on your birth certificate or SSLC certificate, for example, if your last name is an initial in one but fully spelled out in Aadhaar, it’s usually fine. Approval is at the discretion of the Sub-Registrar Office (SRO), which may accept both as the same.
- You will not receive a separate physical copy. The certificate you download is digitally signed and holds the same legal validity as a physical copy issued by the Department.
- Notifications of the application stages are sent by SMS from ‘SUBREG’
Appendix
Additional information on RTI process
Character restrictions
The text must be under 3,000 characters (including spaces).
Use the following prompt to ask ChatGPT whether any of these special characters appear in a given text: “Check if the string ‘Insert the text of your application here‘ contains any of the following special characters: {‘ ” ; + * = > < ! [ ] { } ~ ^ }. Respond with the specific word that has the special character. If the text does not contain any of the listed special characters, respond with ‘No’.”
This ensures your text complies with the character restrictions. The application does not accept the following characters:
- ‘ ” ; + * = > < ! [ ] { } ~ ^ \
- Common special characters: ‘ ” ; (single apostrophe, double apostrophe, semicolon) – For example, use “I am requesting” instead of “I’m requesting.”
- Mathematical operators: + * = > < !
- Square & curly brackets: [ ] { }
- Other restricted symbols: ~ ^ ` (tilde, caret, backtick, backslash)
Uploading documents
- The document must be a single PDF and less than 1MB in size. If you have multiple PDFs, merge them using an online tool like this one. You can compress the file if it exceeds 1MB by using free services available online, such as from Adobe
- The PDF file name cannot contain spaces. Only letters, numbers, dot (.), underscore (_), and dash (-) are allowed.
Payment
Please select ‘Net Banking’
Tracking RTI application status
- You can check the status of your RTI application on the RTI portal. Use the email address and phone number provided during the application process to access the status updates.
- After submitting your application, it is routed to the appropriate Public Information Officer (PIO). You may see an update such as:”REQUEST TRANSFERRED TO OTHER PIO as on 15/07/2025. Note: You are advised to contact the above mentioned officer (email and phone number are provided) for further details.”
- This is not the final status; it simply indicates that your RTI has been forwarded to the relevant authority. Contacting them usually doesn’t help. Please wait for 30 days from the date of transfer, and then file an appeal if no response is received.
Appeal Process
If the response to your RTI application is unsatisfactory, you can file two levels of appeal through the RTI portal. Both appeals are free of charge.
First Appeal: This is made to the appellate authority within the same public authority. For example, if you filed an RTI with BBMP and are dissatisfied with the response, you can file a first appeal within BBMP. The RTI Act mandates the appointment of an appellate authority, typically an officer handling this role alongside their other duties.
In some cases, the First Appellate Authority may arrange an online meeting, while in others, you will need to be physically present at the public authority’s office during office hours for each appeal. This depends on the officer in charge. For example, the author was asked to join an online meeting.
Second Appeal: If you’re still unsatisfied after the first appeal, you can appeal to the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, depending on the case.
In some cases, the Second Appeal meeting may be arranged online, while in others, you will need to be physically present at the public authority’s office during office hours for each appeal. This depends on the officer in charge.