How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Kerala? These days, apparently, in just minutes. Last week in Kawassery, Kerala, newlyweds Lavanya and Vishnu sealed the deal with (literally) a click, using K-Smart’s video KYC system to receive their fully-verified certificate.
Normally, the post-wedding trip to get official papers can drag on for hours or days, even weeks, involving a maze of forms, impatient officials, and the occasional “broker”. The new K-SMART marriage registration system in Kerala has made getting a marriage certificate online effortless. Couples now just have to switch on their webcam, show their documents, and after their call ends, have their marriage registered, printed, and handed over with big smiles.
What Is K-SMART?
K-SMART, short for Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation, is the state’s flagship platform designed by the Information Kerala Mission (IKM).
It brings together various local body services, including birth, death, and marriage registrations, property tax payments, and building permits, under one digital roof. The goal is to make governance faster, transparent, and citizen-friendly, eliminating the need for intermediaries or manual paperwork.
Kerala sets an example !!
— Sreekanth B+ve (@sreekanth324) October 23, 2025
In Kawassery, Kerala, Lavanya and Vishnu got married and registered their marriage instantly through Video KYC.
The Panchayat member even handed over a digitally verified certificate with their photo on the same day.
Respected Panchayati Raj Minister… pic.twitter.com/HGAnoU5cu0
How Does Video KYC Work For Marriages?
After verification, a digital marriage certificate is issued instantly, downloadable within minutes, and entirely official.
- Couples log in to the K-SMART portal and fill in their details.
- Identity is verified via Aadhaar OTP or email authentication. It’s a secure, citizen-friendly process that eliminates the need for standing in government office queues.
- A mandatory video KYC for the couple and witnesses.
Since K-Smart’s launch, Kerala has clocked over 1.5 lakh marriage certificate registrations; 63,000 couples have finished everything via video KYC. Instant certificates are fast and secure, cutting down on paperwork, travel, and waiting rooms.
Even as Lavanya and Vishnu clicked through their online paperwork, their Panchayat member showed up in person for a post-registration photo op and handed out their certificate. Netizens flooded social media with praise, especially those who’d slogged through red tape in other states: “Kerala sets an example again!” and “100% literacy for a reason”.
Also Read: How A Malayali’s Life Changes After Marriage
Kerala has long been recognised as a digital governance pioneer, from its Akshaya centres to paperless land records. The success of K-SMART’s video KYC marriage registration could soon redefine how India handles civic documentation.
Also Read: 12 Thoughts Every Bride Has About Their Wedding Day
