Marriage biodata format: what to include, in the right order

A marriage biodata is the first thing another family sees. It should be easy to read on a phone, honest, and complete enough that the other family can decide whether to talk further.

Here is a format that works for most Indian families, in the order people usually read it.

1. A blessing at the top (optional)

Many families begin with a blessing such as "॥ श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥", Om, Ik Onkar, Bismillah or a cross. It sets a respectful tone. It is entirely your choice.

2. Personal details

• Full name
• Date, time and place of birth
• Height
• Education (highest degree is enough)
• Occupation and city of work
• Diet
• Religion, and community if you wish
• Mother tongue and languages spoken

Keep each line short. "5 ft 4 in (163 cm)" is clearer than a sentence.

3. Horoscope details (optional)

Rashi, nakshatra, charan and whether the person is manglik. If you don't know these, you can leave them out or calculate them from the birth details.

4. Family details

Parents' names and occupations, brothers and sisters (married or unmarried), family type (joint or nuclear) and native place. Some families add relatives such as Mama or Chacha.

5. About me and expectations

Two or three sentences in your own words. What you value, how you like to spend time, and what kind of partner and family you hope for. This is the section people remember.

6. Contact details

The name of the person to contact, a phone number and email. If you share the biodata widely, consider sharing the address only after a family shows interest.

What to avoid

A good biodata in 2 minutes

You can type these details into a simple form, pick a design for your tradition and see the biodata update as you go.