The Special Marriage Act was enacted to provide a special form of marriage by any person in India and all Indian nationals in foreign countries irrespective of the religion either party to the marriage may profess.

 

For the benefit of Indian citizens abroad, it provides for the appointment of Diplomatic and Consular Officers as marriage officers for solemnizing and registering marriages between citizens of India in a foreign country.

 

The Act extends to the whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir and also applies to citizens of India domiciled in he territories to which this Act extends who are in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.