Core Documents — Both Petitioner & Respondent

• Marriage CertificateOriginal or certified copy from Sub-Divisional Magistrate / Municipal Corporation / Temple / Church where marriage was registered
• Proof of IdentityAadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or PAN Card of both parties
• Proof of Current AddressUtility bill, bank statement, rent agreement, or Aadhaar showing current address
• Passport-size PhotographsRecent colour photographs of the petitioner (typically 2–4 copies as directed)
• Marriage PhotographsWedding photographs establishing solemnisation of the marriage
• Wedding Invitation CardSupporting evidence of the marriage having taken place
• Joint Financial RecordsJoint bank accounts, property papers, tax returns filed jointly — establishing the marital relationship
• VakalatnamaAuthority letter appointing your advocate to appear and act on your behalf

Evidence Documents (Based on Ground of Divorce)

• Medical / Hospital RecordsFor physical cruelty grounds — injury reports, medico-legal certificates, hospital discharge summaries
• Police Complaints / FIRsPreviously lodged complaints, NCR entries, FIRs relating to incidents of cruelty or domestic violence
• Digital EvidenceWhatsApp messages, emails, call recordings (with Section 63 BSA certificate for admissibility)
• Witness AffidavitsAffidavits from neighbours, family members, or colleagues who witnessed incidents
• Desertion EvidenceLetters, emails, or other records establishing the date from which the spouse left the matrimonial home
• Mental Health RecordsFor mental disorder grounds — psychiatric evaluation, hospital records, doctor’s certificates

Documents Required from Both Parties

• Marriage CertificateOriginal or certified copy — the cornerstone document of any divorce proceeding
• Identity Proof — Both SpousesAadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or PAN Card
• Address Proof — Both SpousesCurrent address proof — utility bill, bank statement, or Aadhaar
• Passport-size PhotographsRecent colour photographs of both parties (typically 2 each)
• Settlement Agreement (Draft)Signed agreement covering: alimony / permanent alimony, return of stridhan and dowry articles, child custody and visitation schedule, property division, and any other agreed terms
• Vakalatnama — Both PartiesEach party authorises their respective advocate
• Children’s Birth CertificatesRequired if custody terms are included in the settlement agreement
• Property DocumentsIf any joint property is being divided or transferred as part of the settlement

Documents for the Claimant (Wife / Dependent)

• Marriage CertificateEstablishing the marital relationship with the respondent
• Identity & Address ProofAadhaar, Passport, Voter ID — establishing identity and current residence
• Proof of Financial NeedBank statements (showing negligible or no income), affidavit of income and expenses, monthly expense estimate
• Children’s Birth CertificatesIf maintenance is sought for children — establishing that the children are from the marriage
• School Fee Receipts / Educational ExpensesFor children’s maintenance — to establish quantum of their needs
• Medical Records & BillsAny ongoing medical treatment — to establish health-related financial need
• Previous Maintenance OrdersAny prior maintenance granted by another court — to avoid double-counting and establish history

Documents the Respondent (Husband) May Be Required to Produce

• Income AffidavitCourt-mandated affidavit disclosing all sources of income, assets, and liabilities
• Salary SlipsLast 6–12 months’ salary slips or employer certificate
• Income Tax Returns (ITR)Last 2–3 years’ ITRs — the most reliable income documentary evidence
• Bank StatementsLast 12 months’ statements from all accounts — to verify actual income and lifestyle expenses
• Business/Company DocumentsFor self-employed respondents — balance sheets, P&L statements, GST returns

Core Documents

• Child’s Birth CertificateOriginal or certified copy — establishing the child’s age, parentage, and relationship to both parties
• Marriage CertificateEstablishing the parties’ relationship as parents of the child
• Identity & Address Proof — ApplicantAadhaar, Passport — establishing identity and current place of residence
• Proof of Residence StabilityRent agreement or property documents showing stable accommodation for the child
• Proof of Financial CapacityIncome documents, bank statements — showing ability to financially provide for the child
• School RecordsAdmission records, progress reports, fee receipts — showing the child’s current school and educational continuity
• Child’s Medical RecordsAny ongoing medical treatment, vaccinations, health conditions — relevant to custody suitability assessment
• Photographs of Home EnvironmentTo demonstrate suitable living conditions for the child
• Character Witnesses / AffidavitsFrom school teachers, neighbours, or relatives attesting to parenting capacity
• Prior Custody OrdersAny interim or earlier custody orders already passed by any court

For Complainant (Wife / Family) — Filing the Case

• Marriage CertificateProof of the marital relationship — without which no 498A proceeding can lie
• Identity & Address ProofAadhaar, Passport or Voter ID of the complainant and witnesses
• Medical / MLC RecordsMedico-Legal Certificate, hospital records, X-rays — corroborating physical cruelty or injury
• Dowry Articles ListWritten list of dowry items given at the time of marriage — signed by both families if possible, or supported by photographs and purchase receipts
• Demand Notes / LettersWritten demands for additional dowry, notes, or letters from the husband or in-laws
• WhatsApp / Chat ScreenshotsWith metadata preserved — messages containing threats, demands, or abusive language
• Call RecordsCDR (Call Detail Records) showing pattern of harassment calls — obtainable from the telecom provider via police

For Respondent (Husband / In-Laws) — Defence

• Copy of FIRObtained from the concerned police station — the foundation document for any defence strategy
• Identity & Address ProofAadhaar, Passport — for bail application and court appearances
• Counter WhatsApp / Chat RecordsMessages showing the wife’s conduct, or contradicting the allegations in the FIR
• Financial RecordsTo contradict allegations of dowry demand — bank statements showing normal financial transactions
• CAW Cell / Mediation RecordsEarlier counselling records or mediation proceedings — showing attempts at reconciliation
• Witness AffidavitsFrom neighbours, relatives, or others who can contradict specific allegations in the FIR
• Settlement Agreement (if any)For quashing petition — if parties have reached a genuine settlement of all matrimonial disputes

Documents Required

• Domestic Incident Report (DIR)Filed with a Protection Officer or directly before the Magistrate — this is the primary document initiating DV proceedings
• Marriage Certificate / Proof of RelationshipThe DV Act covers not only wives but also women in live-in relationships — proof of the domestic relationship is essential
• Identity & Address ProofOf the aggrieved woman and any children covered by the application
• Proof of Shared HouseholdRent agreement, electricity bill, or other documents showing the parties lived together in the same household
• Medical Records / MLCFor physical violence — injury photographs, hospital records, Medico-Legal Certificates
• Police Complaints Previously FiledAny prior complaints — to establish a continuing pattern of domestic violence
• Financial DocumentsFor monetary relief application — evidence of the respondent’s income and the applicant’s expenses
• Children’s DocumentsBirth certificates and school records — if interim custody under DV Act is sought
• Property DocumentsTitle deeds or tenancy agreements — for residence order applications establishing right to shared household

Documents Required for Filing

• Certified Copy of the Case PendingCertified copy of the plaint/complaint + all orders passed in the case sought to be transferred — obtained from the original court
• Identity & Address ProofOf the petitioner — establishing current place of residence (which is the basis for the transfer prayer)
• Proof of Hardship / ResidenceRent agreement, utility bills, Aadhaar — establishing that the petitioner resides far from the court where the case is pending
• Vakalatnama for Advocate on RecordOnly an AOR (Advocate on Record) can file before the Supreme Court — the vakalatnama must be signed in favour of both the AOR and the drafting counsel
• Children’s DocumentsIf the presence of young children is cited as a hardship ground — birth certificates and documents showing custody/residence
• Medical RecordsIf medical condition is cited as the ground — treating doctor’s certificate, hospital records
• Documents Showing Connected CasesIf consolidation of connected cases is sought — certified copies of all related proceedings in the transferee court

Documents Required from Both Parties

• Proof of AgeBirth Certificate, School Leaving Certificate, Matriculation Certificate, Passport, or Aadhaar — minimum age: Bride 18 years, Groom 21 years
• Proof of IdentityAadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card — of both parties
• Proof of Current AddressOne of the parties must have resided in the district for at least 30 days before the notice is given
• Passport-size Photographs4 recent colour photographs of each party
• Three WitnessesThree witnesses with their original identity proof, address proof, and passport-size photographs — must be present at the time of solemnisation
• Divorce DecreeIf either party was previously married — certified copy of the divorce decree from the court that granted it
• Death Certificate of Deceased SpouseIf either party is a widow or widower — original death certificate of the deceased spouse
• NOC from EmbassyFor foreign nationals — No Objection Certificate from their respective embassy confirming they are not already married

For Registration of Existing Hindu Marriages (HMA)

• Marriage Certificate / Proof of MarriageInvitation card, photographs, priest’s certificate, or any evidence of the religious ceremony
• Age & Identity ProofOf both spouses
• Two WitnessesWith identity and address proof — who attended the marriage
• Joint AffidavitSigned by both parties confirming the marriage took place on the stated date and they are both Hindus (or applicable religion)

Documents Required

• Marriage CertificateOriginal Indian marriage certificate — and foreign marriage certificate if the marriage was solemnised abroad (with apostille)
• Passport of Both PartiesEstablishing identity, nationality, and travel history
• Proof of Overseas ResidenceVisa, residence permit, overseas driving licence, utility bills — establishing the foreign domicile/residence of the NRI spouse
• Proof of Indian ResidenceAddress proof in India — for the party approaching Indian courts
• Foreign Divorce DecreeIf a foreign court has already passed a divorce decree — apostilled or consularised certified copy, with certified English translation if in another language
• Apostille / Consularisation CertificateAll foreign documents must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or consularised (for non-Convention countries) before Indian courts will accept them
• Children’s DocumentsPassports, birth certificates — essential if custody across borders is in dispute
• Power of AttorneyNotarised and apostilled Power of Attorney if the NRI party cannot appear in person in Indian courts — allowing an authorised representative to act on their behalf
• Property DocumentsFor matrimonial property located in India — title deeds, registration documents

Information & Documents Required from the Testator

• Identity ProofAadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card — of the person making the Will (Testator)
• Address ProofCurrent address proof of the Testator
• Details of All Immovable PropertyTitle deeds, sale deeds, property tax receipts, colony or society details — for each property to be bequeathed
• Details of Movable AssetsBank account details, fixed deposits, shares, mutual funds, vehicle RCs, jewellery list — to be specifically mentioned
• Details of BeneficiariesFull names, relationship to Testator, and addresses of all persons to whom assets are to be bequeathed
• Two WitnessesTwo witnesses — who must be present at signing and must not be beneficiaries under the Will. Their identity proof is required.
• Existing Will (if any)If replacing or updating an earlier Will — the existing Will to be reviewed and revoked
• Details of ExecutorThe person appointed to execute the Will — name, address, and their consent