Bhubaneswar, Aug. 8: Registering your marriage just got easier. All you have to do to get a marriage certificate is log on to the official website of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) — www.bmc.gov.in — and apply for it.

The BMC plans to make the process of getting a marriage registration certificate easier through online applications.

Though the online system was introduced last year, there were no provisions for online submission of documents.

The online system allows applicants to scan and upload the required documents online.

Earlier, applicants were only able to download the marriage registration form from the corporation’s website but the applicant had to be physically present at the corporation office to submit applications.

After applying for the marriage certificate, aspiring newly-weds were required to appear on a different date to have the documents verified and collect their marriage certificate.

The new system will enable applicants to get copies of the documents scanned to submit them online. The next step would be to appear for verification and collect the certificate.

The online system has been introduced on a trial basis.

The corporation also plans to make provisions for online submission of the fees required for obtaining the marriage certificate.

“We are planning to rope in a private bank that will work as a payment gateway to make the entire process online. The process is in the trial phase and we are also trying our best to introduce the new system by the end of this month,” said municipal commissioner Sanjib Kumar Mishra.

The applicant needs to deposit Rs 1,000 for getting a marriage registration certificate.

The online system will also help keep the office crowd-free.

“Usually, a large number of couples turn up at the office to get marriage certificates. Once the system becomes online, crowds at the BMC office will reduce,” said a senior BMC official.

The corporation had earlier fixed two working days — Wednesday and Saturday — to issue marriage certificate.

Other than a document of one’s marital status, the certificate is required for purposes that include obtaining a passport or changing one’s maiden name.

“This is a good step that the corporation has taken. Shopping and monetary transactions are already being done sitting at home. The online marriage registration system will save time and encourage couples to go for it,” said Abhijit Pratap Ray, an engineer.

The corporation had introduced issuing marriage certificates six years ago.

Sources in the BMC said the corporation had so far issued more than 4,300 marriage certificates.