Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

Marriage Act 1949 (c. 76)

13 (1) Section 46 (register office marriage followed by religious ceremony) is amended in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) Subsection (1): for “marriage solemnised in the presence of a superintendent registrar” substitute “relevant marriage”.

(3) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) In this section “relevant marriage” means—

(a) the marriage of a man and a woman solemnized in the presence of a superintendent registrar,

(b) the marriage of a same sex couple solemnized in the presence of a superintendent registrar, and

(c) a marriage which arises from the conversion of a civil partnership under regulations under section 9 of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.

(1B) This section does not authorise the marriage service of the Church of England to be read or celebrated in the case of a relevant marriage of a same sex couple.

(1C) This section does not authorise any other marriage service to be read or celebrated in the case of a relevant marriage of a same sex couple unless the relevant governing authority has given written consent to the reading or celebration of that service in the case of such marriages.

(1D) For that purpose—

• “relevant governing authority” means the person or persons recognised by the members of the relevant religious organisation as competent for the purpose of giving consent for the purposes of this section;

• “relevant religious organisation” means the religious organisation whose marriage service is to be read or celebrated.”.