In the year 2025, a huge increase was seen in marriage registrations in West Bengal. During the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state voter list, a large number of people got their marriages registered due to increased demand for necessary papers. According to data from the state Registrar General of Marriages, a total of 1,83,733 marriages were registered in 2025. This number is 12,335 more than 2024. Earlier, the highest number of 1,81,923 marriages were registered in the year 2022, when pending cases were registered after Covid.
Officials said that due to the need of documents for SIR, many couples got their marriage certificates made. Although the marriage certificate is not included in the list of 14 valid documents, it was accepted during the hearing to confirm the change of surname or change of address of the women.
Registration of marriages under Islamic law
There was also an increase in the registration of marriages under Islamic law in the year 2025. 10,969 marriages were registered under Section 16 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (SMA). Of these, 7,154 were marriages of Muslim couples, who were first married religiously and later got registered. Earlier in 2022, the highest figure of registration by Muslim couples was 6,989.
Marriage registration in West Bengal in 2025
An official said that due to Covid rules in 2022, many couples were not able to register on time, so later a large number of registrations took place simultaneously. A similar situation was seen in 2025 also, but this time the main reason was SIR. Apart from this, the registrations done on the wedding day itself under Section 13 of SMA also crossed the one lakh mark for the first time. In 2025, 1,04,242 marriages were registered in this category. According to officials, the reason for this is the relaxation of rules and making the online marriage portal simple and user-friendly. Overall, this increase in marriage registration in West Bengal in 2025 is believed to be the result of administrative needs and easier process.
