Karnataka tightens marriage registration rules, says Aadhaar cannot be age proof
Karnataka's Department of Stamps and Registration has issued a circular stating that Aadhaar cards cannot be used as age proof for marriage registration, citing instances of age manipulation leading to child marriages. Officials are now mandated to accept only birth certificates, school certificates, or medical certificates as valid age proof. This move reinforces existing rules under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, to combat child marriage.
Why it matters
This policy change aims to prevent child marriages by closing a loophole in age verification, directly impacting citizens' rights and the effectiveness of child protection laws in Karnataka. It underscores the challenges in using digital identity for sensitive legal processes.
The Department of Stamps and Registration has issued a circular directing officials across the State to not consider Aadhaar card as proof of age for the bride and groom for registration of marriages.
The circular said, “Officials must consider either birth certificate or school certificate and in the absence of these two documents, they can consider medical certificate issued by doctor for registration of marriage. The basis of these documents is specified in Schedule-11 of Rule 6(2) of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka) Rules, 2014, under Child Marriage Act 2006.”
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