When a marriage is breaking down, documents tend to disappear: the husband keeps the files, the jewellery is in his family’s locker, and the bank passwords change. Collecting copies early, quietly and safely, makes a big difference to maintenance, stridhan and custody claims later. Here is a checklist for women preparing for divorce or a maintenance case.
Key facts
- Most important
- Marriage proof, your ID, proof of the husband’s income, a list of your stridhan, and evidence of any violence
- Keep them safe
- Store copies with someone you trust, or in an email or cloud account only you can access
- If you are in danger
- Call 112 first; documents come later
1. Marriage and identity
- Marriage certificate, or the nikahnama (with a translation if in Urdu); wedding photographs and the invitation card
- Your Aadhaar, PAN, passport and address proof; the husband’s address and ID details if you have them
- Children’s birth certificates and school records
2. The husband’s income and assets
Courts need this to fix maintenance; both spouses must also file a disclosure affidavit.
- Salary slips, Form 16, income tax returns, appointment letters
- Bank account details, fixed deposits, investments, insurance policies
- Business records, GST registration, shop or office details
- Property papers: flat agreement, society share certificate, rent receipts or rental income
- Vehicles, loans and EMIs
3. Your own finances
- Your bank statements, salary slips or proof of having no income
- Monthly expenses for yourself and the children: rent, school fees, medical bills
- Any loans taken in your name for the household
4. Stridhan and gifts
- A list of jewellery, cash and articles you received before, at and after marriage, with who gave them
- Photographs from the wedding showing the jewellery; bills or receipts if any
- Bank locker details and who holds the keys
5. Evidence of cruelty or violence
- Messages, emails, voice notes and call records, saved in more than one place
- Medical records and photographs of injuries
- Copies of police complaints or NC (non-cognisable) reports
- Names of people who know what happened: neighbours, relatives, friends
See how to file a domestic violence case and dowry harassment.
6. Papers already received
Any legal notice, court summons, police notice or petition the husband has sent or filed. Note the date you received each one: time limits may run from that date.
Safety first
- Do not take original documents that belong only to the husband; copies are enough.
- Change your own email and phone passwords, and turn off location sharing you did not choose.
- If you are at risk, call 112. A woman cannot be thrown out of the shared household except by law. See right to residence.
Next: divorce for women in Mumbai, how much maintenance, child custody.
Consultations are by appointment at the chambers in Malwani MHADA, Malad (West). To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This checklist gives general information as understood in October 2026. What you need depends on your case. It is not legal advice.