Marriage Certificate Apostille in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Island couples face distance more than paperwork when they arrange a marriage certificate apostille in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Marriages are registered by the Additional District Magistrate in Port Blair for South Andaman, and by Assistant Commissioners in the other sub-divisions, under the Hindu Marriage Act or the Special Marriage Act. INFINITYGRO Attestation, a private Delhi agency, takes the couriered certificate to the MEA.
By the INFINITYGRO documentation teamUpdated Facts checked against MEA and HCCH
Marriage certificate attestation sample
I live in Sri Vijaya Puram and my wife is in New Zealand. Can I get our marriage certificate apostilled without flying to Delhi? Yes. Courier the original certificate and both passport copies to our Delhi office. For marriage certificate apostille in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, we take it through a Delhi notary, the SDM (Delhi) and the MEA, usually in 2 to 3 working days after receipt. If the receiving office wants UT verification, the Assistant Secretary (Home) in Port Blair signs first.
Who registers marriages in the islands
For many years, couples in the islands mostly used the Special Marriage Act. In May 2022 the A&N Administration issued a notification under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1958. It named the Additional District Magistrate in Port Blair as registrar for South Andaman, and Assistant Commissioners as registrars in Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Car Nicobar, Nancowry and Campbell Bay.
Under that notification, at least one party must have lived in the registrar's area for 30 days before applying. Applications for South Andaman can be made through the e-District portal.
Couples who married outside the islands but now live there should register where the marriage law allows, usually where one of them lives. If you are unsure which office covers your area, ask the Deputy Commissioner's office in your district.
Key facts
| Law used | Hindu Marriage Act 1955 with A&N Islands Hindu Marriage Registration Rules 1958; Special Marriage Act 1954 |
|---|---|
| South Andaman registrar | Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner's office, Port Blair |
| Other areas | Assistant Commissioners (Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Campbell Bay) |
| Online service | e-District portal (edistrict.andaman.gov.in) |
| Certificate language | Usually English |
| UT authentication | Assistant Secretary (Home), A&N Administration, Port Blair |
| Delhi route | Notary in Delhi, SDM (Delhi), MEA Apostille |
| MEA fee | Rs 50 per document |
Sending documents from the islands
Distance is the main practical issue. Couriers from the islands take longer than from the mainland, so plan ahead. Pack the original flat in a stiff envelope with passport copies of both spouses. Use a tracked service and send us the tracking number. We return the apostilled document by Blue Dart or a similar tracked courier. We do not offer home pickup.
Remote islands such as the Nicobar group may have fewer courier options. If a direct service is not available, a relative in Port Blair or on the mainland can collect the certificate and send it on to us. Ask us for the exact address and a contact number before you send anything.
We email you as soon as the parcel arrives, and again when it leaves our office with the apostille. You can then follow the return parcel with the tracking number we share.
How marriage certificate apostille in Andaman and Nicobar Islands works
The Ministry of External Affairs, CPV Division, issues the apostille. It confirms the signature of the authenticating officer, not the content of your certificate. The MEA has not accepted documents from individuals since July 2012. Papers go through its authorised outsourced centres.
- We receive your original.
- A Delhi notary attests it.
- The SDM (Delhi) verifies the notary.
- The MEA apostilles it.
- We courier it back.
The MEA fee is Rs 50 per document. Our all-inclusive charge is Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per document, plus courier.
Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) and other islands
Port Blair, now called Sri Vijaya Puram, is where the ADM's office registers marriages for South Andaman. Certificates from the Assistant Commissioners in North and Middle Andaman or the Nicobar group follow the same apostille route. Whichever island issued it, courier the original to our New Ashok Nagar office.
Assistant Secretary (Home) verification
When a foreign office asks for verification by the UT government, the authority on the MEA list is the Assistant Secretary (Home), A&N Administration, Port Blair. The MEA apostilles after that. The time depends on the Administration. Most visa and residence files accept the Delhi route, so confirm with the receiving office first.
Special Marriage Act certificates in the islands
Before 2022, the Special Marriage Act was the usual path for island couples. Under that Act, the couple gives a notice of intended marriage to the Marriage Officer, and the notice is kept open for 30 days for objections. After that, the marriage is solemnised or registered and a certificate is issued.
Many older island certificates were issued this way. They carry the Marriage Officer's signature and seal and can be apostilled on the Delhi route. Some families also hold certificates issued by churches under the Indian Christian Marriage Act. Send us a scan of whatever you hold, and we will confirm whether it is ready for apostille or whether you need a registered certificate first.
Checks before you post
- Original certificate, not a photocopy
- Not laminated, since the apostille goes on the back
- Names match both passports, or a name affidavit is attached
- Translation arranged if the destination needs one
We arrange translation in all major languages.
Where you need legalization instead
China and Germany do not accept Indian apostilles. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt need MEA attestation and embassy legalization. Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain accept the apostille.
See our MEA apostille guide, the all-India marriage guide and the Tamil Nadu page.
Real marriage certificate apostille samples
Click any sample to enlarge. Personal details are masked.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands marriage certificate apostille FAQs
Our marriage was registered under the Special Marriage Act before 2022. Can it be apostilled?
Yes. The route is the same for Special Marriage Act and Hindu Marriage Act certificates.
Is marriage certificate apostille in Andaman and Nicobar Islands slower than elsewhere?
The MEA stage is the same. Only the courier time to and from the islands adds to the total.
Can I use the e-District printout?
Send the signed certificate issued by the registrar. A plain printout or photocopy is not apostilled.
My certificate says Port Blair, but the city is now Sri Vijaya Puram. Is that an issue?
The rename does not change the validity of an existing certificate. The MEA checks the authenticating signature.
What is the usual time once the certificate reaches Delhi?
The Delhi route usually takes 2 to 3 working days after we receive the original. Courier time each way from the islands is extra.
Is INFINITYGRO part of the A&N Administration?
No. We are a private agency and do not represent any government office.
Other documents from Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Marriage Certificate apostille
- Birth Certificate apostille
- Degree Certificate apostille
- Diploma Certificate apostille
- PCC apostille
Marriage Certificate apostille in other states
Getting a Andaman & Nicobar Islands marriage certificate ready for abroad?
WhatsApp a photo of the document and the destination country. We reply with the route, the timeline and one total price.