Legal Guides & How-tos

Explanation / Purpose:

A marriage certificate legally recognizes the union, required for visas, passports, property rights, and legal disputes.

• 1. Visit your State e-District portal → Marriage Registration.
• 2. Upload documents: Aadhaar of both spouses, joint photograph, wedding invitation/photos, ID proofs of 2 witnesses..
• 3. Schedule appointment at SDM/Sub-Registrar.
• 4. Attend with original documents.
• 5. Certificate is issued physically or downloadable online.

• ● Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Sections 5, 6, 8
• ● Special Marriage Act, 1954 – Section 12

• ● Register within 60–90 days to avoid extra documentation.

Explanation / Purpose:

Birth certificate is the primary identity document used for school admission, passport, and government services.

• 1. Visit Municipal/Panchayat website → Birth Registration Form.
• 2. Upload hospital-issued birth proof.
• 3. Pay registration fee.
• 4. Download or collect certificate.

• ● Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 – Sections 3 & 12

• ● Late registration requires affidavit + fee.

Explanation / Purpose:

Death certificate is necessary for inheritance, pension, insurance, and bank account closure.

• 1. Apply online or at the municipal office.
• 2. Submit hospital death summary, Aadhaar of deceased, and applicant’s address proof.
• 3. Pay required fee.
• 4. Certificate issued in 3–7 days.

• Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 – Sections 6 & 12
• Indian Succession Act, 1925 – inheritance purposes

• ● Required for legal and financial closure of deceased person’s affairs.

Explanation / Purpose:

A legal name change is required to update all official records including Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, and bank accounts.

• 1. Prepare notarized Name Change Affidavit.
• 2. Publish in 2 newspapers (local + national).
• 3. Apply for Gazette Notification.
• 4. Update IDs with Gazette copy.

• ● Notaries Act, 1952 – for affidavit
• ● Gazette publication rules

• ● Both parents must sign for minors.
• ● Keep multiple copies of Gazette Notification.

Explanation / Purpose:

Aadhaar syncs across banking, PAN, and subsidy systems. Correct updates prevent discrepancies.

• 1. Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → Login via OTP.
• 2. Select “Update Demographics” → upload valid proof.
• 3. Pay ₹50 → updated in 5–7 days.

• ● Aadhaar Act, 2016 – Sections 3 & 4

• ● Address can be updated via documents or Address Validation Letter.

Explanation / Purpose:

Correct PAN details are necessary to avoid tax filing issues and for Aadhaar-PAN linking.

• 1. Visit NSDL / UTIITSL → Change/Correction PAN.
• 2. Fill form → upload valid proof.
• 3. Pay fee → receive updated e-PAN + physical copy.

• ● Income Tax Act, 1961 – Section 139A

• ● Mismatch with Aadhaar can block linking and tax filing.

Explanation / Purpose:

Online FIR registration avoids multiple police station visits and ensures official acknowledgement.

• 1. Visit State Police portal → Online Complaint / Register FIR.
• 2. Fill offence details → upload photos/videos if available → submit.

• ● CrPC 1973 (amended 2023) – Sections 154, 156

• ● For serious offences, physical reporting is often necessary.
• ● Keep acknowledgment number safe.

Explanation / Purpose:

eCourts allows access to case status, orders, and next hearing dates anywhere in India.

• 1. Visit ecourts.gov.in → Case Status.
• 2. Search by Party Name / Case Number / FIR / CNR Number.

• ● Save the CNR number as a universal identifier.

Explanation / Purpose:

Accessing judgments ensures evidence for appeals, compliance, or execution.

• 1. District Courts → eCourts portal
• 2. High Courts → respective websites
• 3. Enter case details → go to Orders/Judgments → download PDF

• ● CPC 1908 – Section 74: Certified copies

• ● Some High Courts require login or CAPTCHA.

Explanation / Purpose:

Consumers can seek resolution for defective goods/services online or through Consumer Commissions.

Option 1 – Simple complaint:
• 1. Visit consumerhelpline.gov.in → submit complaint + evidence
• 2. Platform contacts company for resolution
Option 2 – Legal complaint:
• 1. Visit edaakhil.nic.in → register → upload complaint + proof
• 2. Pay filing fee → Commission issues notice

• ● Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – Sections 2, 21

• ● Complaints < ₹5 lakh require minimal documentation.

Explanation / Purpose:

Most states digitized land records to reduce disputes.

• 1. Search “Bhulekh + State Name.”
• 2. Enter Khasra/Khata Number or Owner Name → view records.
• 3. Download PDF.

• ● Registration Act, 1908 – Sections 17, 18

• ● Verify authenticity at the Tehsildar office.

Explanation / Purpose:

Registration protects landlord and tenant legally.

• 1. Draft agreement (11 months common)
• 2. Visit Sub-Registrar / online portal
• 3. Carry Aadhaar, property papers, 2 photos each
• 4. Pay stamp duty + registration fee → collect registered agreement

• ● Indian Registration Act, 1908 – Sections 17, 23

• ● Online registration via biometric verification available in major states.

Explanation / Purpose:

RERA allows buyers to claim refunds, possession, or penalty against builders.

• 1. Visit State RERA website → login → lodge complaint
• 2. Upload Agreement, receipts, proof
• 3. Pay fee → attend hearings online or at RERA office

• ● Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 – Sections 31, 34

• ● RERA proceedings are faster and usually binding.

Explanation / Purpose:

Income certificate is required for scholarships, government schemes, or loan applications.

• 1. Visit e-District portal → fill form
• 2. Upload address proof + income evidence (salary slip or affidavit)
• 3. Pay fee → certificate issued in 2–7 days

• ● State-specific rules; generally under Revenue Department circulars

• ● Business owners may need income affidavit.

Explanation / Purpose:

Domicile certificate proves residence in a state; required for admission, government jobs, or subsidies.

• 1. Apply on e-District portal
• 2. Provide address proof, birth proof, affidavit if needed
• 3. Pay fee → certificate issued online

• ● State-specific rules

• ● Usually requires 5–10 years of continuous residence.

Explanation / Purpose:

Driving Licence permits legal driving and is required for insurance and identification.

• 1. Visit parivahan.gov.in → DL Services
• 2. Apply for Learner / Permanent Licence / Renewal
• 3. Upload documents → pay fee
• 4. Book slot → biometric test / driving test
• 5. DL issued online or physically

• ● Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 – Sections 3, 4, 7

• ● Renew before expiry to avoid penalty.

Explanation / Purpose:

Transfer avoids legal liability after sale.

• 1. Parivahan → Transfer Ownership
• 2. Upload RC, insurance, PUC
• 3. Pay fee → submit forms if required
• 4. New RC issued

• ● Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 – Section 50

• ● Always sign Delivery Note to avoid future liability.

Explanation / Purpose:

Passport enables international travel and acts as valid ID.

• 1. Visit passportindia.gov.in → create login → fill form
• 2. Pay fee → book PSK appointment
• 3. Visit with documents → Police verification
• 4. Passport delivered

• ● Passport Act, 1967 – Sections 3, 6

• ● Tatkaal service is faster but requires extra verification.

Explanation / Purpose:

Immediate reporting maximizes chances of fund recovery.

• 1. Call 1930 to freeze transaction
• 2. Visit cybercrime.gov.in → file complaint with screenshots
• 3. Bank + Police investigate

• ● IT Act, 2000 – Sections 66C, 66D, 43A
• ● CrPC 1973 – Sections 154, 156 for FIR

• ● Report within 1–2 hours for maximum recovery chance

Explanation / Purpose:

Jurisdiction depends on subject matter, monetary value, and location. Choosing the wrong court can lead to dismissal.

• 1. Identify subject matter: e.g.,
Bank disputes → DRT
Company disputes → NCLT/NCLAT
Real estate → RERA
Family matters → Family Court
• 2. Check pecuniary limit: District Courts vs. High Courts.
• 3. Check territorial jurisdiction: cause of action or defendant residence.
• 4. Consult a lawyer to confirm forum.

• ● Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 – Sections 15–20 (Jurisdiction)
• ● Special Acts: DRT Act 1993, Companies Act 2013, RERA 2016

• ● Filing in wrong court can waste months; professional advice recommended.

Explanation / Purpose:

Limitation periods are fixed by Limitation Act, 1963. Missing them can bar the case.

• 1. Identify the type of case: Civil / Criminal / Consumer / Execution.
• 2. Check prescribed period:
Civil suit → 3 years
Consumer complaint → 2 years
Appeal → 30–90 days
Execution → 12 years
• 3. Compute from cause of action: dispute occurrence, order passed, or right to sue.
• 4. Adjust for court holidays, delays, or exclusions.

• ● Limitation Act, 1963 – Sections 3–5

• ● Delay condonation is possible for genuine, non-deliberate delays.

Explanation / Purpose:

Courts reject vague or incomplete filings; a strong document increases chances of success.

• 1. Present clear facts in chronological order.
• 2. Specify legal grounds and applicable provisions.
• 3. Attach supporting evidence / documents.
• 4. State reliefs sought clearly.
• 5. Attach court fee, Vakalatnama, and affidavits.

• ● CPC 1908 – Order VI & VII
• ● CrPC 1973 – Sections 200, 203

• ● Avoid vague statements; cite laws correctly.

Explanation / Purpose:

For matters like eviction, arrest, demolition, urgent listing is possible.

• 1. File the case.
• 2. Approach court master / reader.
• 3. Request urgent hearing (“mentioning”) before the judge.
• 4. Explain urgency with supporting evidence.
• 5. Judge decides if same-day listing is warranted.

• ● CPC – Section 151 (inherent powers)
• ● CrPC – Sections 190, 202 (for cognizable offences)

• ● Courts grant urgent hearing only when immediate harm is demonstrated.

Explanation / Purpose:

Courts allow substituted service if defendant cannot be located.

• 1. File case → inform court about unknown address.
• 2. Request service via:
Email
Police assistance
Local inquiries
Newspaper publication (Order 5 Rule 20 CPC)

• ● CPC 1908 – Order V, Rule 20

• ● Substituted service ensures case can proceed despite absence.

Explanation / Purpose:

E-filing saves time and provides online acknowledgement.

• 1. Register on court e-filing portal.
• 2. Upload petition, annexures, and index.
• 3. Pay court fee online.
• 4. Receive filing number.
• 5. Submit physical documents if court directs.

• ● E-Courts Project – CPC 1908 Order VII / Section 74

• ● Keep digital copies of all filings.

Explanation / Purpose:

Case tracking ensures timely attendance and monitoring.

• 1. Visit ecourts.gov.in.
• 2. Search using: CNR number, Case number, Party name, Advocate name.
• 3. View next date, orders, history.
• 4. Receive filing number.
• 5. Submit physical documents if court directs.

• ● Note CNR for future reference.

Explanation / Purpose:

Some parties may only know FIR, party, or advocate name.

• Use search by:
• Party name
• Advocate name
• FIR number (for criminal cases)
• High Courts allow free-text or partial searches.

• ● Keep records organized for quick reference.