The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed small-savings scheme created to help families build a long-term financial fund for a girl child. Parents or legal guardians can make regular deposits into the account and use the accumulated savings for eligible purposes under the scheme.

An important question often arises when the account holder is preparing to get married: Can the entire Sukanya Samriddhi Account balance be withdrawn for the wedding?

The rules permit the account to be closed before its normal maturity because of the account holder’s intended marriage, provided she is at least 18 years old and submits the application within the specified window. The account does not close automatically when the marriage takes place.

Does an SSY Account Close Automatically After Marriage?

No. The Sukanya Samriddhi Account is not automatically closed merely because the account holder gets married.

The account holder must submit a formal request to the bank or post office where the account is maintained. She must also provide the declaration and age-related evidence required under the scheme.

If no eligible closure request is submitted, the financial institution will not automatically release the money simply on learning about the marriage.

Another important condition is that the account should not continue to be operated after the account holder’s marriage. Families should therefore begin the closure process within the permitted period instead of continuing routine transactions after the wedding.

What Is the Normal Maturity Period?

A Sukanya Samriddhi Account ordinarily matures 21 years after the date on which it was opened.

The 21-year period is counted from the account-opening date, not from the girl’s date of birth or the date on which she turns 18.

For example, if an account is opened when a girl is five years old, it will ordinarily complete 21 years when she is about 26. Marriage-related closure is an exception that can allow the account to be closed before this normal maturity date.

Deposits can be made for 15 years from the opening of the account. The account can continue earning interest under the applicable rules until maturity or eligible closure even after the contribution period ends.

What Is the Minimum Age for Marriage-Related Closure?

The account holder must be at least 18 years old on the date of marriage to close the account on this ground.

The rules require documentary evidence confirming that she will not be below 18 when the marriage takes place. If she is under 18, the marriage-related closure provision cannot be used.

This age requirement also reflects the legal minimum age prescribed for a woman’s marriage in India.

When Can the Closure Application Be Submitted?

The timing of the application is critical. Under the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, closure for an intended marriage is permitted only within a limited window:

• Not earlier than one month before the intended marriage date
• Not later than three months after the date of marriage

This means the account holder can begin the eligible closure process during the month immediately preceding the wedding. If she applies after the marriage, the request must reach the bank or post office within three months of the wedding date.

For example, if the marriage is scheduled for December 15, the account generally cannot be closed on this ground before November 15. If the request is made after the wedding, it should be submitted no later than March 15, subject to the financial institution’s processing requirements.

The exact rule is stated in the official Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, 2019.

Can Money Be Withdrawn After the Wedding?

Yes, full closure can be requested after the marriage, but only within the permitted three-month period.

The phrase “withdrawal for marriage” can sometimes cause confusion. SSY does not provide a routine partial-withdrawal facility specifically for wedding expenses. Instead, the scheme allows the account to be closed because of the intended marriage, subject to the age, timing and documentation conditions.

Once the eligible closure is processed, the outstanding balance and applicable interest are paid to the account holder.

Which Documents May Be Required?

The official rules require the account holder to submit a signed declaration on non-judicial stamp paper, duly attested by a notary. The declaration should relate to the intended marriage.

Proof of age must also be provided to confirm that the account holder will be at least 18 on the wedding date.

The bank or post office may request documents such as:

• Prescribed account-closure application
• SSY passbook or account details
• Proof of the account holder’s age
• Notarised declaration on non-judicial stamp paper
• Identity and address documents
• Marriage-related evidence requested by the account office
• Details of the bank account in which proceeds are to be credited

Operational requirements can vary depending on the institution and any updated instructions. The account holder should contact the branch or post office in advance to obtain the latest form and document checklist.

Is Partial Withdrawal Allowed for a Daughter’s Marriage?

The scheme’s specific partial-withdrawal provision is meant for the account holder’s education—not for marriage.

Up to 50% of the balance standing at the end of the financial year preceding the application year may be withdrawn for eligible educational expenses. This facility is available after the girl reaches 18 or passes Class 10, whichever occurs earlier, and requires documents such as an admission offer or fee slip.

For marriage, the relevant route is eligible closure of the account rather than an education-style partial withdrawal.

What If the Application Is Filed Too Late?

If the account holder waits for more than three months after the marriage date, the request may not qualify for marriage-based closure under the scheme.

That does not mean the accumulated money is lost. The account may continue until its normal maturity, subject to the applicable operating rules. However, the special opportunity to close it because of the marriage may no longer be available.

Families should record the wedding date accurately and consult the bank or post office before the eligible application window closes.

What Interest Rate Does SSY Currently Offer?

For the July–September 2026 quarter, the Sukanya Samriddhi Account carries an annual interest rate of 8.2%. The National Savings Institute’s historical rate table shows that the 8.2% rate remains applicable through September 30, 2026. The latest rates can be checked through the National Savings Institute’s SSY rate page.

The government reviews small-savings interest rates periodically. A rate applicable in one quarter should not be assumed to remain unchanged throughout the account’s entire tenure.

Interest is calculated monthly on the lowest balance between the close of the fifth day and the end of the month. It is credited at the end of the financial year under the scheme rules.

Who Can Open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account?

A parent or legal guardian may open the account in the name of a girl who has not completed 10 years of age on the opening date.

Only one SSY account is permitted in the name of one girl child. Accounts can ordinarily be opened for up to two girls in a family, although specified exceptions are available for multiple births under the scheme.

The account is operated by the guardian until the girl turns 18. After reaching that age and completing the required formalities, the account holder operates it herself.

What Are the Deposit Limits?

An SSY account can be opened with a minimum deposit of ₹250. At least ₹250 must ordinarily be deposited in each financial year to keep the account regular.

The maximum permitted contribution is ₹1.5 lakh in a financial year. Deposits exceeding the annual ceiling do not qualify for interest and are generally required to be returned.

The account can be regularised if the minimum contribution is missed, subject to payment of the prescribed minimum deposits and default fees.

Plan the Closure Before the Wedding

Once a marriage date is finalised, the account holder should contact the concerned bank or post office rather than waiting until the last moment. Obtaining the required stamp-paper declaration, age proof and other documents can take time.

She should also ask how the final balance will be paid, when interest will be calculated and whether any pending account formalities must be completed.

Final Takeaway

A Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be closed before its usual 21-year maturity when the account holder intends to marry after turning 18. The application cannot be made earlier than one month before the marriage and must not be delayed beyond three months after the wedding.

The account does not close automatically, and marriage is not covered by the regular partial-withdrawal provision. To receive the full eligible balance, the account holder must apply for closure with the prescribed declaration and proof of age within the permitted period.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information. Small-savings rates, forms and operational procedures can change. Account holders should confirm the latest requirements with their bank, post office or an official government source before submitting a closure request.