From cities to small towns, live-in relationships are no longer a shocking thing. With education, career aspirations and changing mindset, many couples today are choosing to live together before or without marriage. Although opinions may differ in society, from a legal perspective, living together in a live-in relationship is not a crime in India. The real problems start when couples are not aware of their rights, boundaries and legal rules. This lack of information later leads to police interference, court cases or social disputes. If you are in or thinking about a live-in relationship, it is important to know some basic rules and legal aspects. This information can save you from unnecessary troubles and make your relationship safe.
First consider these things:
Before getting into a live-in relationship, it is important to know some basic legal requirements. First of all, both the partners should be adults. The age of the man should be at least 21 years and the age of the woman should be at least 18 years. Living with a minor is considered a serious crime. Another important condition is that neither of the partners should be already married.
Being married to another person and having a live-in relationship with someone else without divorce can lead to legal complications and lengthy disputes. The most important thing is mutual consent. Live-in relationships should be a matter of complete free will. Any kind of pressure, fraud or coercion makes it a criminal offence. A relationship will be considered safe and valid only when both partners are living together willingly, with equality and respect.
These documents are required:
For live-in couples, it is very important to have the right documents. Both partners should have Aadhaar card, PAN card and age related identity card. Additionally, there must be a valid rent agreement for the house you are living in. It not only serves as proof of address but also provides security in case of any enquiry.
These documents are often asked by the landlord, housing society or during police verification. If you do not have the correct documents, it can lead to unnecessary suspicions, disputes and hassles. The validity of the documents proves that both the individuals are adults, living together with consent, and are not involved in any illegal activity.
