[F145A Solemnization of certain marriages.U.K.
(1)This section applies to marriages solemnized, otherwise than according to the rites of the Church of England, in pursuance of section 26(1)(dd) [F2or 26B(6)] of this Act at the place where a person usually resides.
(2)The marriage may be solemnized according to a relevant form, rite or ceremony in the presence of a registrar of the registration district in which the place where the marriage is solemnized is situated and of two witnesses and each of the persons contracting the marriage shall make the declaration and use the form of words set out in subsection (3) [F3or (3A)] of section 44 of this Act in the case of marriages in registered buildings in the presence of a registrar.
(3)Where the marriage is not solemnized in pursuance of subsection (2) of this section it shall be solemnized in the presence of the superintendent registrar and a registrar of the registration district in which the place where the marriage is solemnized is situated and in the presence of two witnesses, and the persons to be married shall make the declarations and use the form of words set out in subsection (3) [F3or (3A)] of section 44 of this Act in the case of marriages in registered buildings in the presence of a registrar.
(4)No religious service shall be used at any marriage solemnized in the presence of a superintendent registrar.
(5)In subsection (2) of this section a “relevant form, rite or ceremony” means a form, rite or ceremony of a body of persons who meet for religious worship in any registered building being a form, rite or ceremony in accordance with which members of that body are married in any such registered building.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 45A inserted (E.W.) by Marriage Act 1983 (c. 32, SIF 49:1), s. 1(7), Sch. 1 para. 11
F2Words in s. 45A inserted (13.3.2014) by Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30), s. 21(3), Sch. 7 para. 12; S.I. 2014/93, art. 3(k)(i)
F3Words in s. 45A(2)(3) inserted (1.2.1997) by 1996 c. 34, s. 1(2)(a); S.I. 1996/2506, art. 2