Marriage Certificate Apostille in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Marriage certificate apostille in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu covers certificates from three separate areas that were merged into one Union Territory on 26 January 2020. Each district still has its own offices, so the certificate you hold may come from Silvassa, Daman or Diu. INFINITYGRO, a private agency in Delhi, takes any of them through to the MEA Apostille.
By the INFINITYGRO documentation teamUpdated Facts checked against MEA and HCCH
Marriage certificate attestation sample
I was married in Diu and now live in the UK. My certificate is old. Can it still be apostilled? Yes, as long as it is an original or a certified copy signed by the registering officer. For marriage certificate apostille in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, we usually use the Delhi route: notary, SDM and MEA. If the UK office wants UT verification, the Collector at Diu authenticates it first. For an old record, ask the issuing office for a fresh certified copy.
One Union Territory, three districts
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into one Union Territory on 26 January 2020. The administration now sits together, but each district still keeps its own records. That is why the authentication office depends on where your certificate was issued.
- Silvassa (Dadra and Nagar Haveli): Deputy Secretary (Home), Silvassa
- Daman: Deputy Collector or SDM, Daman
- Diu: Collector, Diu
These offices handle the UT verification step. They do not issue the Apostille itself, which is always placed by the MEA.
Silvassa is the headquarters of the merged UT. Daman sits on the Gujarat coast near Vapi, and Diu is an island off Saurashtra. Because the districts are far apart, it is easier to send the certificate to us than to travel between offices.
Key facts
| Laws | Central Acts: Hindu Marriage Act 1955, Special Marriage Act 1954 and others; Daman and Diu historically had compulsory civil registration from the Portuguese era |
|---|---|
| Who registers | The marriage registrar of the district where the marriage was registered; civil registration offices in Daman and Diu |
| Sikh marriages | Anand Marriage Act registration implemented in Dadra and Nagar Haveli |
| Certificate language | English (some older Daman and Diu records may be in Portuguese) |
| UT authentication | Deputy Secretary (Home), Silvassa; Deputy Collector/SDM, Daman; Collector, Diu |
| Merger | Single UT since 26 January 2020 |
| Delhi route | Delhi notary, SDM (Delhi), then MEA Apostille; usually 2 to 3 working days |
| MEA fee | Rs 50 per document (government fee) |
How marriages are registered here
Daman and Diu were Portuguese territories, like Goa, until 1961. The Supreme Court noted in Seema v. Ashwani Kumar (2006) that registration of marriage was compulsory under the marriage law in force in Goa, Daman and Diu. Today, marriages in the UT are generally registered under the central Acts, such as the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli has also implemented registration of Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act. If you are unsure which office holds your record, start with the marriage registrar of the area where the marriage was registered.
A court marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 is handled by the Marriage Officer for the district. A Christian marriage may also be recorded under the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872. Whichever law applies, the certificate signed by the registering officer is the document that goes for apostille.
How marriage certificate apostille in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu works
The MEA checks only the signature of the authenticating officer, not the content of the certificate. You can reach that stage in two ways.
- Delhi route. A Delhi notary attests the certificate, the SDM in Delhi verifies the notary, and the MEA places the Apostille. This usually takes 2 to 3 working days.
- UT route. The district authority listed above authenticates the certificate, then it goes to the MEA. Timing depends on the office.
Use the UT route only when the destination authority asks for it. Our MEA apostille guide has more detail.
Certificates from Silvassa, Daman and Diu
Couples married in Silvassa or elsewhere in Dadra and Nagar Haveli collect their certificate from the registering office in that district. Those married in Daman or Diu go to the registering office of that district. An old certificate that has faded or been laminated should be replaced with a fresh certified copy from the same office.
The apostille path is the same for all three districts. Courier the original to our Delhi office, and we return it by Blue Dart or a similar tracked courier.
Many couples from Silvassa and Daman work in nearby Vapi or Valsad in Gujarat. If your marriage was registered in Gujarat instead, the certificate follows Gujarat rules, though the apostille steps are the same.
Diaspora links to Portugal and the UK
Many families from Daman and Diu have ties to Portugal and the United Kingdom. Both countries accept the Apostille. If any part of your record is in Portuguese or Gujarati, we can arrange a certified translation into English or Portuguese.
Check that both names match your passports. Older records may use a different spelling or order of names. If so, an affidavit may be needed before the apostille.
Documents to send us
- Original marriage certificate or a certified copy
- Passport copies of both spouses
- Destination country and purpose
- Affidavit for any name difference
The MEA does not apostille photocopies, and a laminated certificate cannot be stamped on the back.
If the certificate is for the Gulf
The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait do not accept Apostille. A certificate for those countries needs MEA attestation and embassy legalization. See our embassy attestation service. Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain accept the Apostille. Germany and China do not accept an Indian Apostille.
Canada, the USA, the UK, Portugal, Australia and most of Europe accept the Apostille. If unsure, send us the checklist from the receiving office and we will confirm the process before you courier anything.
Real marriage certificate apostille samples
Click any sample to enlarge. Personal details are masked.
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu marriage certificate apostille FAQs
Which office verifies a Daman marriage certificate?
For the UT route, the Deputy Collector or SDM in Daman. On the Delhi route, no Daman office visit is needed.
Do Goa's civil registration rules apply in Daman and Diu?
Goa's civil registration system is run by the Goa government. Marriages in the UT today are generally registered under the central Acts. See our Goa page if you married in Goa.
What does it cost?
The MEA fee is Rs 50 per document. Our all-inclusive Delhi route is Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per document. Courier is extra.
Can an old Portuguese-era record be used?
It can, if the issuing office gives a certified copy. A translation is usually needed for countries other than Portugal.
How long does marriage certificate apostille in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu take?
The Delhi route usually takes 2 to 3 working days after we receive the document. The UT route depends on the district office.
Do you cover Gujarat too?
Yes. Many Silvassa and Daman families married in Gujarat. See our Gujarat page or the all-India guide.
Other documents from Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Marriage Certificate apostille
- Birth Certificate apostille
- Degree Certificate apostille
- Diploma Certificate apostille
- PCC apostille
Marriage Certificate apostille in other states
Getting a Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 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.