5 Things to Do After You Marry

Ok, so you have finally taken the plunge. You have managed to finally get the girl of your dreams to marry you and you have the dream house ready for you to settle in. But is that it? Is it the "lived happily ever after" now? Think again. Marrying is easy. The whole day when you had that false smile pasted on your face was easy. Brace yourself for the worst that is to come next.

1. Marriage Certificate:

This is the first thing to get. Everything else depends on the marriage certificate. It is the proof that you have married. There are two ways to get a marriage certificate: The legal way and the illegal way. Both require the same documents. The list of documents would be:

a) The marriage invitation (both yours and your spouse's)

b) A photograph of the marriage

c) Proof of address (Both yours and your spouse's)

d) Proof of age (Both yours and your spouse's)

Now that you are equipped with the documents lets get to how actually to get a marriage certificate.

i. The Legal way:

Go to the office of your local Marriage Registrar and get your token number. Get the approximate date when you will be called for registration. Usually it's after 2 to 3 months. You will be intimated when your number is to be called.

ii. The Illegal way:

Get an agent. They are everywhere. Your local lawyer might be one or he may know one. Else you should be able to find one at the registrar's office itself. The best part of going through an agent is you get the marriage certificate immediately.

Once you have the form, fill it up appropriately. Affix photographs where needed. Get the witnesses to sign where needed. And get ready to go and stand in the queue at the registrar s office. If you are going through an agent you might be able to skip the queue and get the certificate almost immediately. Don't forget to take along two witnesses, one from the bride's side and the other from the bridegroom's side.

2. Pan Card:

Getting a pan card is very easy. Visit the site https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html. If you already have a pan card then again the same site is useful in changing the name and address of the wife. Fill out the application form online and send the documents requested by post. You may pay the application fee online if you happen to have a credit card.

Again you have the option of agents here. They will charge you anywhere between Rs. 150 to Rs. 200. They will do everything for you. All you have to do is give them the document copies and sign where they tell to on the application form.

3. Account details change:

This is a dicey process since different banks have different rules. If you wish to add your spouse to your account then you need to submit another form for the same in your branch. They need the marriage certificate if you plan to add your spouse.

If you are also changing your address then you can again do it online or go down to the nearest branch and submit all the necessary documents. Most of the banks have it online but some of the smaller banks want to see the documents before they make any changes.

4. Ration Card:

Finally if you think and think again and again and finally decide that you do need the ration card as a proof of address then again you have two options. I would suggest you take the legal way because it's not as bad as the government offices are projected.

i. The Legal way:

Assuming you and your spouse were already part of some ration cards then follow these steps:

a) Go down to the respective ration offices and get your names deleted from the cards. To do this you have to give an application and fill up a form worth Rs.4.

b) Once you have submitted the application you will get two receipts for each name and your name will have been cancelled from the card.

c) Go down to the ration office of your new address and get the form again for Rs. 4. Get it signed by the office, fill up the form and submit the necessary documents.

d) Submit the form and you will be called on a particular date to get our card after the officers have verified your address and the rest of the information.

The catch here is that everything is in the local language and that goes a bit tough since everywhere the most commonly used language happens to be English.

ii. The Illegal way:

Find an agent and hand him the documents. Pay up anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs. 100 and get you ration card sitting at home. Most common places to find an agent-Your local ration shop or the ration office itself.

5. Finances:

Consolidation of finances is something that takes up a lot of time. It's no longer about being bachelors. It's time to understand each other's urges to spend and still be able to consolidate the finances. Sit down together and decide on a mode of investment like LIC or a FD. Plan a budget and try to stick to it.

Well that should start you off good on your marriage and put you on the right track. As for keeping the marriage happy... that's up to you guys.