Section 18: Matrimonial reliefs to be under Special Marriage Act, 1954

Q: What does Section 18 of The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 (TFMA) deal with?

Section 18 TFMA pertains to "Matrimonial reliefs to be under Special Marriage Act, 1954". It is part of the The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 18 of The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 (TFMA) governs matrimonial reliefs to be under Special Marriage Act, 1954. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 18 TFMA still in force?

Yes, Section 18 of the The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 18 TFMA?

धारा 18 TFMA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 18 of the The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969. Section 18 of The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 (TFMA) governs matrimonial reliefs to be under Special Marriage Act, 1954. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 18 TFMA?

Dhara 18 TFMA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 18 of the The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 18 of The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 (TFMA) governs matrimonial reliefs to be under Special Marriage Act, 1954. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 18 of The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969?

Cite as: "Section 18, The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 (TFMA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969, § 18 (India).

Law on Tips Editorial Board

(1)

Subject to the other provisions contained in this section, the provisions of Chapters IV, V, VI and VII of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954) shall apply in relation to marriages solemnized under this Act and to any other marriage solemnized in a foreign country between parties of whom one at least is a citizen of India as they apply in relation to marriages solemnized under that Act.

Explanation.—

In its application to the marriages referred to in this sub-section, section 24 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954) shall be subject to the following modifications, namely:—

(i) the reference in sub-section (1) thereof to clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of section 4 of that Act shall be construed as a reference to clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) respectively of section 4 of this Act, and

(ii) nothing contained in section 24 aforesaid shall apply to any marriage—

(a) which is not solemnized under this Act; or

(b) which is deemed to be solemnized under this Act by reason of the provisions contained in section 17:

(2)

Every petition for relief under Chapter V or Chapter VI of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954) as made applicable to the marriages referred to in sub-section (1), shall be presented to the district court within the local limits of whose ordinary civil jurisdiction—

(a) the respondent is residing at the time of the presentation of the petition; or

(b) the husband and wife last resided together; or

(c) the petitioner is residing at the time of the presentation of the petition, provided that the respondent is at that time residing outside India.

(3)

Nothing contained in this section shall authorise any court—

(a) to make any decree of dissolution of marriage, except where—

(b) to make any decree annulling a voidable marriage, except where—

(c) to make any decree of nullity of marriage in respect of a void marriage, except where—

(d) to grant any other relief under Chapter V or Chapter VI of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954) except where the petitioner is residing in India at the time of the presentation of the petition.

(4)

Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall authorise any court to grant any relief under this Act in relation to any marriage in a foreign country not solemnized under it, if the grant of relief in respect of such marriage (whether on any of the grounds specified in the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954) or otherwise is provided for under any other law for the time being in force.