A biodata for a second marriage has the same sections as a first one, with three changes. The Marital Status line says Divorced, Widowed or Awaiting Divorce. Children, if any, are mentioned in one plain line. And the About Me says, in a sentence, that you are ready to start again. Do not explain why the first marriage ended, and do not name the former spouse.
This page is for the person remarrying and for parents making the biodata for a son or daughter who has been through a divorce or the loss of a spouse.
How a Second-Marriage Biodata Differs
Most of the biodata does not change. Name, birth details, education, job, family and horoscope stay the same.
What changes is that the other family will read it looking for answers to a few questions. Is the divorce final? Are there children, and who do they live with? How long ago did it happen? Is this person settled now?
A good second-marriage biodata answers the first three in the fields and the last one in the About Me, without a long story.
Marital Status Wording
On our form, Marital Status is under Add More Details in Personal Details. It offers four choices.
| Your situation | Choose | Add a line like this in About Me |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce decree granted | Divorced | Divorced in 2024, mutual consent |
| Spouse passed away | Widowed | Lost my wife in 2022 |
| Case filed, decree not yet granted | Awaiting Divorce | Divorce case filed in 2025, expected to conclude soon |
| Marriage annulled by court | Divorced, and explain in About Me | Marriage annulled by court in 2023 |
| Short marriage, no children | Divorced | Marriage lasted less than a year, no children |
Write the year. It answers the "how long ago" question at once.
Awaiting Divorce and the Law
If the divorce case is still pending, say so honestly. Many families will wait until the decree, and a few will not consider the proposal yet. Both are fair.
The law is strict here. Under section 5 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a Hindu marriage is valid only if neither person has a living spouse at the time.
Section 15 of the same Act says a divorced person may marry again only once the divorce decree is final. That means the time for an appeal has passed with no appeal filed, or any appeal has been dismissed. Section 17 makes bigamy punishable.
So you can make and share a biodata while awaiting divorce, but the wedding itself must wait for the final decree. If you are unsure about your case, ask your lawyer. Free legal advice is available from the National Legal Services Authority on its helpline, 15100.
Children, and How Much to Share
If there are children, say so in the biodata. The other family must know before the first call, and hearing it later damages trust.
One or two lines are enough: the number, their ages, and who they live with.
| Situation | Sample line |
|---|---|
| Child lives with you | One son, 7 years, lives with me |
| Child lives with former spouse | One daughter, 10 years, lives with her mother |
| Shared custody | Two children, 6 and 9, shared custody |
| No children | No children |
Our form has no separate Children box. Use Add Your Own Field in Personal Details, name it "Children" and write the line. Or put it in the About Me.
Do not put children's photos or names in the biodata. It will be forwarded to people you do not know.
About Me Samples, Written with Dignity
The About Me should sound calm and forward-looking. One sentence about the past is enough, and it should not blame anyone.
| Situation | Sample |
|---|---|
| Divorced woman, no children | I am a bank officer in Hyderabad. My first marriage ended in a mutual divorce in 2024. I am at peace with it and ready to start afresh with an understanding partner. |
| Divorced man with a child | I run a pharmacy in Indore and live with my parents and my six-year-old son. My divorce was finalised in 2023. I hope to marry someone kind who will treat my son as her own. |
| Widow | I lost my husband in 2022 and now live with my parents in Thrissur. I work as a teacher. My family and I feel it is time for me to begin again. |
| Widower, later in life | I am 48, a retired Army officer, living in Pune. My wife passed away in 2021 and my children are grown and settled. I am looking for a companion of similar age and outlook. |
Our general About Me guide has the four-line formula if you want to write your own.
Partner Expectations for Remarriage
Say if you are open to someone who has also been married before, and whether you would accept their children. These two lines save the most phone calls.
- Open to divorced or widowed profiles.
- Will happily accept a partner's children.
- Looking for someone around 35 to 42, mature and settled.
- Prefer someone without children, as I have two of my own.
Add these as the last lines of About Me. The partner expectations guide has more wording.
What to Leave Out
- The reason the marriage ended, in any detail
- The former spouse's name or family
- Court case numbers, alimony or settlement amounts
- Any blame, even mild ("due to their behaviour")
- Copies of the divorce decree. Show it in person when the family is serious
All of this can come up in conversation once both families are talking. In a biodata that goes to many phones, it only invites gossip.
Notes for Hindu, Muslim and Christian Families
Hindu families: the legal position is in section 15 of the Hindu Marriage Act, as above. Many families also re-check horoscopes for a second marriage, so keep the birth details in. Our Hindu marriage biodata format page shows where they go.
Muslim families: a divorced or widowed woman waits for the iddat period before remarrying. After a divorce this is usually three menstrual cycles, and after the husband's death four months and ten days. Ask your family's maulana if you are unsure. Many Muslim biodatas also mention whether the divorce was a talaq or a khula, but that is a family choice.
Christian families: a church wedding after a divorce depends on the denomination. Some churches need a church annulment as well as a civil divorce. Ask your parish priest before you start sending the biodata.
Making the Biodata
The steps are the same as any biodata. Fill in the standard format, choose your Marital Status, add the Children line if needed, and write the About Me. Pick a simple design from the marriage biodata templates. A second-marriage biodata reads best when it looks calm and plain.
Common questions
What Should I Write in Marital Status for a Second Marriage?
Write Divorced, Widowed or Awaiting Divorce, whichever is true. Add the year in your About Me.
Should I Mention Children from My Previous Marriage?
Yes, always. Give the number, ages and who they live with, in one line.
Should I Mention Why My Previous Marriage Ended?
No. One calm line like "ended in a mutual divorce" is enough. Details are for later conversations, in person.
Do I Need to Attach My Divorce Decree?
No. Keep it ready to show when a family is serious, but do not attach it to a biodata that goes to many people.
Can I Send a Biodata While My Divorce Case Is Pending?
Yes, if you say "Awaiting Divorce" clearly. But a Hindu marriage can take place only after the decree is final, under sections 5 and 15 of the Hindu Marriage Act.
Is It Okay to Look for Someone Who Was Also Married Before?
Yes. Write "Open to divorced or widowed profiles" in your expectations, so families in the same position know to reach out.
Sources
Related Guides
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