PART 1MARRIAGE

CHAPTER 5OTHER CHANGES TO MARRIAGE PROCEDURE

I121Places at which civil marriages may be solemnised

1

The 1977 Act is amended as follows.

2

In section 18 (places at which civil marriages may be solemnised)—

a

in subsection (1)—

i

after paragraph (a) insert—

aa

at an appropriate place in the registration district of the authorised registrar; or

ab

with the approval of the Registrar General, at—

i

the registration office of another authorised registrar;

ii

an appropriate place in the registration district of another authorised registrar; or

iii

an appropriate place in Scottish waters.

ii

paragraph (b) (and the word “or” following it) are repealed, and

iii

paragraph (c) is repealed,

b

after that subsection insert—

1A

In this section—

  • “appropriate place” means a place which—

    1. a

      the parties to the intended marriage and the local registration authority agree is to be the place of solemnisation; and

    2. b

      is not religious premises;

  • “local registration authority” means—

    1. a

      the local registration authority for the registration district which includes the place; or

    2. b

      where the place is in Scottish waters, the local registration authority for the authorised registrar's registration district;

  • “religious premises” means premises which—

    1. a

      are used solely or mainly for religious purposes; or

    2. b

      have been so used and have not subsequently been used solely or mainly for other purposes.

c

subsections (2) to (8) are repealed.

3

Section 18A (approved places) is repealed.

4

In section 19 (marriage ceremony and registration of marriage)—

a

in subsection (4)(a)—

i

for sub-paragraph (ii) substitute—

ii

at an appropriate place (within the meaning given by section 18) in the registration district of the authorised registrar; or

ii

sub-paragraph (iii) (and the word “or” following it) are repealed, and

iii

in sub-paragraph (iv), for the words “in or on an approved vessel” substitute “ at an appropriate place (within the meaning given by section 18) ”,

b

in subsection (4)(b)(ii), for “approved place” substitute “ appropriate place (within the meaning given by section 18) ”, and

c

subsection (5) is repealed.

5

In section 26(2A)(b) (seaward boundary of registration district), for “within a registration district if it” substitute “ a place within a registration district if the vessel ”.