Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and reports about mandatory religious certificates for live-in relationships have gone viral. However, the government clarified that this certificate is required only if the couple falls under a prohibited category of relationships. The UCC simplifies live-in registrations with just four essential documents and ensures equal rights for all residents, banning polygamy and child marriage.
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Dehradun: Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27. According to the committee that framed the rules, a religious certificate from a clergy member will be required for live-in relationship registration only if the couple falls under the prohibited category of relationships.
“Some media reports have raised concern that a religious certificate from clergy members will be required for every live-in relationship registration. It will be required only in cases where the marriage between partners is prohibited. Such relationships have been clearly specified in Schedule 01 of the Code,”
-said Manu Gaur, a member of the rules drafting committee.
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In Uttarakhand, these kinds of prohibited relationships are very rare. Less than 1% of all live-in registrations under UCC in the state will require such a certificate. Communities where marriages within the prohibited category occur can still register their relationship by providing this religious certificate, Mr. Gaur explained.
The main aim of this rule is not to create obstacles but to help applicants complete the process smoothly, he clarified. The format for the religious certificate has been clearly mentioned in the UCC rules.
Under the UCC, couples who want to register their live-in relationship need to submit only four essential documents:
- Proof of residence
- Date of birth proof
- Aadhaar card
- Rental agreement (if applicable)
Additionally, if a person has been divorced, they must submit a legal divorce decree. If their previous spouse has passed away or if their previous live-in relationship has ended, they must provide the relevant documents at the time of registration.
Mr. Gaur also clarified that-
“Under the UCC, any individual who has been living in Uttarakhand for one year is eligible for registration.”
This one-year residency rule is not related to being a native or permanent resident of the state.
Many people from other states stay in Uttarakhand and benefit from government schemes. Now, only those who register under the UCC will be able to access these government services, ensuring that Uttarakhand’s resources are used efficiently, he added.
If UCC rules applied only to native and permanent residents, many people from other states could get married elsewhere while still benefiting from Uttarakhand’s government services. To avoid this, the definition of “resident” in the UCC Act is specific to UCC matters and includes five different categories.
The goal of this system is to make UCC registration accessible to all residents while also improving the government’s database. This process is similar to voter ID registration and is not linked to permanent or native residency.
Regarding the length of the registration form, Mr. Gaur clarified,
“While it is 16 pages long due to various available options, filling it out online takes only five to ten minutes.”
Since the form is designed to be foolproof, it is comprehensive. Even if someone fills it offline, it takes only 30 minutes. When registering online, the Aadhaar details will auto-fill the form, making the process quicker and easier, he said.
The UCC focuses on protecting personal rights and regulates laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships. It applies to all residents of Uttarakhand, regardless of their religion, and bans polygamy and child marriage.
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