Actual issues of marriage registration: engagement and digitalization

This article discusses the positive and negative aspects of digitalization, on the basis of which the expediency of using information technologies in the state registration of marriage is determined. For a full analysis of the topic, the article also reveals the role of digitalization in the emergence of a remote method of applying for marriage. Statistics are provided showing which methods of applying are more in demand among citizens, offline or online. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the changes in these statistics is described. Recommendations are put forward to eliminate the existing gaps in the family law of the Russian Federation. After studying foreign experience, the idea of introducing a new legal institution in the form of an engagement is proposed. At the end of the work, the prospects for the use of information technologies for the effective implementation of the proposed innovations are assessed, a description of digitalization and its place in the marriage procedure is given, potential corruption and other risks associated with its implementation are highlighted, the traditional nature of marital relations and the innovative nature of digitalization are compared. The authors comes to the conclusion that modern technologies should only perform an auxiliary function in marriage. This conclusion is based both on the symbolic and historical significance of marriage and on the general principles of family law. The following methods were used in the study: analysis, comparison, concretization, generalization, classification, study of scientific and legal literature and legal acts.