Kerala’s local self-government department has rolled out video-based marriage registration through its K-SMART platform, making it possible for couples to complete the process online without visiting a municipal office. The move has turned out to be a relief for non-resident Keralites, who can now register their marriages from abroad.
Anish R and Prakruthi K, who tied the knot in Kochi, were among the first to try it out. Living in Pune, more than 1,200 km from their hometown, the couple registered their marriage digitally and downloaded their certificate without the usual long wait at the corporation office. Speaking to PTI, Anish, a doctor in New Delhi, said the digital option was a “saviour” given their limited leave.
Launched in January 2024, the video-KYC system has already seen wide adoption. Between January and September 22, 1,44,416 marriages were registered in Kerala, with 62,524 of them done online. Thrissur leads the list with over 10,000 digital registrations.
Initially limited to urban areas, the platform has since been extended to rural regions, making it accessible across the state. Couples from different time zones are also making use of it. Ashwin, a nurse in Malta, recalled receiving a quick call from Varkala municipality before being able to download his marriage certificate within minutes. Vijay, a software engineer in the United States, shared similar experiences.
Officials say the system is easing workloads at local offices. Guruvayoor municipality, which once had a special counter inside the temple compound for marriage registrations, reports that physical visits have dropped by almost 90%. According to secretary Abhilash, quoted in a PTI report, many couples now prefer the online option, particularly those living overseas.
The process is straightforward. Couples register on the K-SMART website, fill in marriage details, and complete a video-KYC process with their witnesses using Aadhaar OTP or email authentication. Once identities are confirmed, a digitally downloadable marriage certificate is issued.
Officials acknowledge that many people are still unaware of the option. Santhosh Babu, chairman and managing director of Information Kerala Mission, told PTI that couples don’t even need to log in at the same time. They can complete their verifications from different places and even different time zones.