Nikah Info

Instructions

Detailed instruction regarding completion of the Nikah Form, Announcement of Nikah and the process of marriage in the US are given under “Process of Marriage”. It is recommended that you first download the Nikah Form and then complete it. Some browser do not allow the form to be completed online and you will not be able to save the form unless it is downloaded first.

Process Of Marriage

Marriage and its Registration According to Australian Law In Australia, the Marriage License Laws are fundamentally the same but they do differ in some aspects from state to state. However, under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the AU Constitution every state must recognize and honor the validity of a marriage performed in the other states.

Civil Marriage Ceremony

To become legally married, both the prospective bride and groom must appear in person at the Marriage celebrant’s Office. The couple should plan ahead and submit the application well in advance of the marriage/Nikah date since there may be a waiting period before they can marry. The couple also must show proof of identity, confirm the termination of any earlier marriage(s) by death, divorce or annulment, pay a nominal fee and bring along a witness to co-sign the application.

Registration of the Marriage

It is the duty of the Marriage Officiant to complete the marriage document and give or send a copy to the local Recorder of Deeds so that the marriage may be properly registered. Marriage Ceremonial Certificate is required as proof of marriage in order to proceed with a Nikah. Promptly registering the marriage also insures legal status of the married couple.

Premarital Counseling

Hazrat Khaifatul Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) has made premarital counselling a requisite of the Nikah. The premarital counselling is conducted by premarital counsellors from Rishta Nata Department in person via Skype or other audio/ video platforms,where possible. The Pre-marital Counselling requests should be submitted at least four weeks before the Nikah through the Rishta Nata websiteor by sending an email to rishtanata.ahmadiyya@admin

Announcement of Nikah

Once the couple is legally married and have an official copy of their Marriage Certificate as proof, the Nikah can be announced. Again, the new policy and practice of the Jama’at is that Missionaries do not sign Marriage Licenses to legalize marriages; they only perform the Nikah. Prior to the Nikah ceremony, the couple should bring all relevant documents and fully completed Nikah forms so that the Missionary may review and approve them, and then announce the marriage. The Nikah forms can be obtained from the local Presidents or the National Secretary. Alternatively, the Nikah forms can be downloaded from the Rishta Nata website, www.rishtanata.org.au Four forms are to be filled and signed in the original. Important Matters According to Jama’at Policies:

I. In Australia, only Missionaries can announce a Nikah. If a Nikah is to be performed by a person other than a Missionary, permission is required from the National Ameer.

II. If one of the two parties resides outside of the country and the other in Australia, then along with the attestation by the local President, attestation by the National Ameer from both countries is also required.

III. Proxy marriage is where one of the parties is not physically present at the same location during the ceremony. In Australia we do not announce Proxy Nikah/Marriage.

IV. The amont of Haq Mahr should be agreed upon both sides. The amount of dower money (Haq Mahr) must be clealry stated in AU Dollars. Otherwise, please specify the currency.

V. If this is not the first Nikah, a copy of the legal divorce certificate must be attached with the Nikah form.

VII. In case of a decision by the Qadha Board related to previous marriage, verification by the Department of Umoor e Aama of the implementation of the decision is essential before the Nikah can be announced.