The state Law Minister, Rabilal Moitra, said the notification has already been issued and in future couples failing to get their marriage registered within the stipulated time period will be penalised.

While the penalty is symbolic — a token of Rs 25 — officials believe that this is the first step in encouraging the youngsters to understand the importance of getting their marriages registered.

“The registration will also help in settling various marital issues, including maintenance in case of separation and property rights,” said a senior official.

Moitra said that there are already provisions for registration in some of the existing marital laws. With the registration being made compulsory, the law department will ensure that the number of registrars is also increased.

“The number of registrars, who exclusively register marriages in the Muslim community, is not enough. There are around 270 Muslim Marriage Registrars (MMRs). We require another 150 more registrars,” Moitra said.

Other than the MMRs, there are 1,175 qualified registrars for registering marriages of other communities. Around 850 of these registrars, are now permitted to register Hindu marriages. While the registration is important, it doesn’t come for free. The general registration, under some marital laws, invites a fee of Rs 420.

Despite attempts, a large section of the population is out of the purview of registration regulations, officials said.

The new regulation, however, doesn’t imply that administrative officials will haunt marriage ceremonies.