Marriage Act 1949

5Methods of authorising marriages

A marriage according to the rites of the Church of England may be solemnized—

(a)after the publication of banns of matrimony;

(b)on the authority of a special licence of marriage granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury or any other person by virtue of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act, 1533 (in this Act referred to as a " special licence ");

(c)on the authority of a licence of marriage (other than a special licence) granted by an ecclesiastical authority having power to grant such a licence (in this Act referred to as a " common licence "); or

(d)on the authority of a certificate issued by a superintendent registrar under Part III of this Act.