Legal News India

A private live-in agreement is not compulsory throughout India, but Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code requires statutory registration for qualifying live-in relationships within its scope. Registration and a private cohabitation agreement serve different purposes: registration records the relationship, while an agreement can clarify rent, expenses, property ownership, loans, finances, digital privacy, and separation arrangements. However, such agreements cannot override criminal law, maintenance rights, child welfare, Domestic Violence Act remedies, or other statutory protections.