On Monday, October 13, 2025, the Uttarakhand government announced a significant adjustment to its Uniform Civil Code (UCC), specifically addressing marriage registration for individuals of Nepali and Bhutanese descent residing in the state. This amendment provides much-needed relief to those who previously faced challenges registering their marriages due to the lack of an Aadhaar card as valid identification.
Insiders from the State Cabinet meeting confirmed that the government has now authorized citizens from Nepal, Bhutan and even Tibet to register their marriage by presenting a certificate issued by a Foreign Registration Officer.
An official elaborated, “Under the new amendment in the UCC, foreign citizens will now be able to register their marriages by uploading their citizenship certificate, residence certificate, passport, or valid identity card, whichever is more acceptable. In such a situation, citizens of these countries living in Uttarakhand who are already married or about to get married can register their marriage by uploading their documents.”
Deep-Rooted Historic and Cultural Bonds
The official further explained that the primary goal of this legal adjustment is to support the populations of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. These nations not only share international borders with Uttarakhand but also boast profound historical and cultural connections with the state, manifested through residency, family relationships, and inter-marriages. Given their integral role within the state’s social fabric, it was deemed inappropriate to exclude them from essential legal processes.
State data reveals a steady increase in marriage registrations since the UCC’s implementation earlier this year, with over 400,000 individuals having already registered their marriages via the dedicated UCC portal.
The UCC Bill, which was passed by the State Assembly in February of the previous year, notably exempts tribal communities from its scope. It also introduces a complete prohibition on certain practices, such as halala, iddat, and talaq (customs associated with Muslim Personal Law concerning marriage and divorce). Furthermore, the code guarantees equal rights for women in matters of property and inheritance.
A key aspect of the UCC is the mandatory registration of all marriages and divorces. Failure to comply will result in couples being ineligible for government benefits. The code also includes strict provisions for registering live-in relationships, ensuring that children born from such unions are recognized as legitimate under the UCC.