How to Write "No Dowry" in a Marriage Biodata

To make a marriage biodata without dowry, add one short line at the end of the expectations: "We do not give or take dowry" or, from the boy's side, "No dowry or gifts expected." That is all it takes. Families who agree will be glad to read it, and families who hoped for dowry will usually not call, which saves everyone time.

Giving, taking and demanding dowry have all been crimes in India since the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. A clear line on the biodata simply says your family follows the law.

Why Put It on the Biodata at All?

Because dowry is rarely asked for openly anymore. It comes in softer forms: "just give what you wish for your daughter", "we have our status to maintain", a car "for the couple's use". A line on the biodata settles the question before anyone feels awkward raising it.

For a girl's family, it tells the boy's side early that there will be no hidden exchange. For a boy's family, it is a clear signal of values, and many girls' families look for exactly that.

Wording for the Boy's Side

The boy's family can write this most strongly, because the demand usually comes from that side.

• "No dowry. We are looking only for a good girl and a good family."
• "We do not expect dowry or gifts of any kind."
• "Simple wedding preferred, no dowry."
• "Wedding expenses can be shared by both families."

The last line helps many girls' families. In many communities the girl's side still pays for most of the wedding, and an offer to share it is often read as a sign of a fair-minded family.

Wording for the Girl's Side

The girl's family can write it too. Keep it polite and firm, not accusing.

• "We do not give or take dowry."
• "Looking for a family that believes in marriage without dowry."
• "Dowry seekers please excuse."

The third line is blunt. Some families like it because it is clear. Others feel it sounds suspicious of every reader. Pick the tone that matches your family.

Where to Put the Line on Our Form

Our form has no separate expectations section. Two ways work.

1. Add the line as the last sentence of About Me.
2. Or use Add Your Own Field at the end of Family Details, name it "Note" or "Our Values", and type the line.

The own field stands out more, because it sits on its own row. Our partner expectations guide shows how to write the rest of the expectations around it.

A Line You Should Never Write

Some families write the opposite kind of line, sometimes with good intentions: "Girl's father will give a flat in Pune", "Boy is the sole heir to 10 acres", "Car and gold as per family status."

Do not. Apart from being dowry talk, a property offer made through an advertisement in exchange for a marriage is itself an offence.

Section 4A of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 covers offering a share in property, money or a business through any advertisement in exchange for marriage, and also printing or circulating it. A biodata forwarded across WhatsApp groups is close enough to an advertisement that it is not worth the risk.

If you want a Property line, keep it to a plain fact like "Own house in Nagpur", with no promise and no value.

What the Law Says, in Short

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:

Gifts given at the wedding without any demand are not dowry, if they are customary, within the giver's means, and entered in a list as the rules require. That is why some families now keep a written list of gifts from both sides.

When the Demand Comes Later Anyway

A "no dowry" line does not stop every family. Sometimes the demand comes after the roka or sagai, often indirectly.

Keep the WhatsApp chats and note the dates of calls. If it continues, step back. Our post on what to do about a dowry demand has the steps, including where to complain.

A Filled Sample, Boy's Side

This is a made-up person. Change every detail to your own.

When the lines are ready, fill them in the biodata maker, choose a design and download the PDF. A short message to send with the biodata can repeat the no-dowry line in your own words.