The Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

Application by religious bodies for registration of member to solemnise marriages

10.—(1) A religious body may apply to the Registrar General for a member named in the application and aged 21 or over to be registered under Article 11 as empowered to solemnise marriages in Northern Ireland.

(2) The Registrar General shall refuse to register a person under Article 11 if he considers that—

(a) the body making the application is not a religious body;

(b) the marriage ceremony used by that body does not include, or is inconsistent with, an appropriate declaration; or

(c) the person named in the application is not a fit and proper person to solemnise a marriage.

(3) In paragraph (2)(b) an “appropriate declaration” means a declaration by the parties, in the presence of—

(a) each other;

(b) the officiant; and

(c) two witnesses,

that they accept each other as husband and wife.

(4) An application under paragraph (1) shall be in such form and contain such particulars as the Registrar General may determine.

(5) A religious body shall not make an application under paragraph (1) unless it is satisfied that there is a need for a larger number of its members to be registered under Article 11.

(6) If the Registrar General refuses to register a person under Article 11, he shall inform the body of his reasons.