Jamshedpur, Jan. 6: East Singhbhum district marriage registration officials are very busy these days as more and couples are exchanging wedding vows.

The number of couples filing notices and registering their marriage has increased manifolds in the past four years.

In 2005, the number of people who filled up the notice form were 601 and in three years (2008) it has shot up to 1150, almost double the figure. Notice filed under Section 5 of Special Marriage Act was 325 in 2005, in 2008 it has become 554.

City advocates believe that higher education coupled with increase in literacy rate is the major reason for the increase in marriage registration.

Registration of marriages under Section 15 of Special Marriage Act have also increased.

“Though the number of registration should have been more but there has been an increase. Awareness through different mode of communication and technology, education and awareness about legal rights have brought about such a change and increase in marriage registration,” said Sujit Kumar, the assis-tant registrar of East Singhbhum.

The other reasons being increase of job opportunities in the country and abroad where registration certificate is required if one wants to take his or her spouse on dependant visa.

“Since marriage is not considered legal if there is no marriage certificate, more and more couples are going for registration. As many people are working abroad and taking their spouses along with them it becomes compulsory to get dependant visas,’ said Kumar.

In near future, advocates expect the number to rise further.

“Education is a reason along with migration issue has contributed to rise in registration. However, I think moving out of the country is one of the major reasons for rise in registration,” said Avijit Mandal, a city-based advocate.