Karnataka Tightens Marriage Registration Rules: Aadhaar Disallowed as Proof of Age

BENGALURU — In a crucial measure to curb child marriage, the Karnataka Department of Stamps and Registration has barred the use of Aadhaar cards as proof of age for marriage registration.

Officials across the state have been instructed to verify the age of the bride and groom exclusively through designated legal identity documents.

Why Aadhaar Is No Longer Valid for Age Proof

The updated directive follows a rise in cases where discrepancies were detected between dates of birth listed on Aadhaar cards and official birth certificates, which led to illegal child marriages.

Child rights activists noted that guardians were taking advantage of photocopy editing or UIDAI online correction features to alter a minor’s birth year on the Aadhaar document.

Mullai Muhilan, Inspector General of Registration and Commissioner of Stamps, clarified that this action aligns strictly with existing laws:

“Aadhaar card cannot be proof of age, especially for marriage registration. It is a pre-existing rule under the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka) Rules, 2014, which we are enforcing strictly. As per UIDAI regulations, Aadhaar serves solely as identity and address proof featuring biometric data—not age proof.”

This stance is further reinforced by a Supreme Court judgment confirming that Aadhaar cards are invalid for determining a person’s legal age.

Acceptable Documents for Marriage Registration in Karnataka

Marriage registration officials in Karnataka will now accept only the following documents as age proof, as mandated under Schedule-11 of Rule 6(2) of the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka) Rules, 2014:

1. Birth Certificate (issued by a recognized municipal or government body)

2. School Leaving Certificate / SSLC Marks Card

3. Medical Certificate (issued by a District Government Hospital board)

Protocol for Medical Age Verification

If both birth and school certificates are unavailable, applicants must obtain a medical certificate from a district government hospital.

According to representatives from the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), this process involves evaluations by a panel of specialists—including a psychiatrist, dentist, and orthopaedician—before authorization by a surgeon.

In line with Supreme Court guidelines, when medical reports offer an estimated age range (e.g., 17–18 years), the lower limit (17 years) must be applied to safeguard minors.