Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/12-13-14/76
Timestamp: 2014-03-17 09:29:12
Document Index: 348559189

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 12', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 2']

Skip to main contentSkip to navigationlegislation.gov.ukThe National ArchivesHelpSite MapAccessibilityContact UsCymraegHomeAbout UsBrowse LegislationNew LegislationChanges To LegislationSearch LegislationSearch LegislationTitle: (or keywords in the title)Year:Number:Type:All Legislation (excluding draft)All Primary Legislation UK Public General Acts UK Local Acts Acts of the Scottish Parliament Acts of the National Assembly for Wales Measures of the National Assembly for Wales Church Measures Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly Acts of the Old Scottish Parliament Acts of the English Parliament Acts of the Old Irish Parliament Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain Northern Ireland Orders in Council Measures of the Northern Ireland Assembly Acts of the Northern Ireland ParliamentAll Secondary Legislation UK Statutory Instruments Wales Statutory Instruments Scottish Statutory Instruments Northern Ireland Statutory Rules Church Instruments UK Ministerial Orders UK Statutory Rules and OrdersAll Draft Legislation UK Draft Statutory Instruments Scottish Draft Statutory Instruments Northern Ireland Draft Statutory RulesAll Impact Assessments UK Impact AssessmentsSearchAdvanced SearchMarriage Act 1949You are here:1949 c. 76 (Regnal. 12_13_and_14_Geo_6)Whole ActTable of ContentsContentMore ResourcesPreviousNextPlain ViewPrint OptionsWhat VersionLatest available (Revised)Original (As enacted)Advanced FeaturesShow Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)Show Timeline of ChangesOpening OptionsOpen whole ActOpen Act without schedulesOpen Schedules onlyMore ResourcesOriginal Print PDFView moreChanges to legislation:There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Marriage Act 1949. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.Changes to LegislationRevised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.E+WMarriage Act 19491949 CHAPTER 76 12 13 and 14 Geo 6An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the solemnization and registration of marriages in England with such corrections and improvements as may be authorised under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act, 1949.[24th November 1949]Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C1Act extended to border parishes by Marriage (Wales and Monmouthshire) Act 1962 (c. 32), s. 2C2Act applied with modifications by Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969 (c. 38), s. 6, Sch. 1C3Power to amend Act given by Public Expenditure and Receipts Act 1968 (c. 14), s. 5(1), Sch. 3C4Words of enactment omitted under authority of Statute Law Revision Act 1948 (c. 62), s. 3C5By S.I. 1978/1844, art. 12 the Act has effect as if The Isles (i.e. The Isles of Scilly as defined in art. 2(1) ) were a non-metropolitan countyC6Act modified by Pastoral Measure 1983 (No. 1, SIF 21:4), s. 29(2)(a)Commencement InformationI1Act wholly in force at 1.1.1950 see s. 80(4)Part IE+W Restrictions on Marriage1 Marriages within prohibited degrees.E+W(1)A marriage solemnized between a man and any of the persons mentioned in the first column of Part I of the First Schedule to this Act, or between a woman and any of the persons mentioned in the second column of the said Part I, shall be void.
[F1(2)Subject to subsection (3) of this section, a marriage solemnized between a man and any of the persons mentioned in the first column of Part II of the First Schedule to this Act, or between a woman and any of the persons mentioned in the second column of the said Part II, shall be void.
(d)in the case of a marriage between a woman and a former husband of her daughter, after the death of both her daughter and the father of her daughter.]
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F1S. 1(2)–(5) inserted by Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986 (c. 16, SIF 49:1), s. 1(6), Sch. 1 para. 2: original s. 1(2)(3) repealed by Marriage (Enabling) Act 1960 (c. 29), Sch.2 Marriages of persons under sixteen.E+WA marriage solemnized between persons either of whom is under the age of sixteen shall be void.
3 Marriages of persons under twenty-one. E+WAnnotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C7S. 3 extended by Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46), s. 2(3); applied with modification by Marriage (Registrar General's Licence) Act 1970 (c. 34), s. 6(1)Where the marriage of [F2a child], not being a widower or widow, is intended to be solemnized on the authority of F3. . . issued by a superintendent registrar under Part III of this Act, F4. . . the consent of the person or persons specified in [F5subsection (1A) of this section] shall be required F6 . . .:
[F7(1A)The consents are—
(3)Where the marriage of [F2a child], not being a widower or widow, is intended to be solemnized after the publication of banns of matrimony then, if any person whose consent to the marriage would have been required under this section in the case of a marriage intended to be solemnized otherwise than after the publication of the banns, openly and publicly declares or causes to be declared, in the church or chapel in which the banns are published, at the time of the publication, his dissent from the intended marriage, the publication of banns shall be void.
(4)A clergyman shall not be liable to ecclesiastical censure for solemnizing the marriage of [F2a child] after the publication of banns without the consent of the parents or guardians of [F2the child] unless he had notice of the dissent of any person who is entitled to give notice of dissent under the last foregoing subsection.
(5)For the purposes of this section, “the court” means the High Court, [F8the county court of the district in which any applicant or respondent resides], or a court of summary jurisdiction [F9[F10appointed for the commission area F11. . . ]in which any applicant or respondent resides], and rules of court may be made for enabling applications under this section—
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F2Words substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42, SIF 49:7), ss. 33(1), 34(2)(5), Sch. 2 para. 9F3Word in s. 3(1) substituted (1.1.2001) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1), Sch. 14 paras. 3, 4(a); S.I. 2000/2698, art. 2F4Words in s. 3(1) repealed (1.1.2001) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1)(3), Sch. 14 paras. 3, 4(b), Sch. 16; S.I. 2000/2698, art. 2F5Words in s. 3(1) “” substituted (14.10.1991) “” by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 12 para. 5(1)(with saving in Sch. 14 para. 37, and with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)F6Words in s. 3(1) repealed (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1(1), 27(4)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)F7S. 3(1A)(1B) inserted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108, Sch. 12 para. 5(2) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)F8Words substituted by Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46), s. 2(2)F9Words inserted by Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46), s. 2(2)F10Words substituted by Domestic Proceedings and Magistrates' Courts Act 1978 (c. 22, SIF 49:3), s. 89(2)(a), Sch. 2 para. 9F11Words in s. 3(5) repealed (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, ss. 106, 108(3)(f), Sch. 15 Pt. V(1) (with Sch. 14 paras. 7(2), 36(9))Modifications etc. (not altering text)C7S. 3 extended by Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46), s. 2(3); applied with modification by Marriage (Registrar General's Licence) Act 1970 (c. 34), s. 64 Hours for solemnization of marriages.E+WA marriage may be solemnized at any time between the hours of eight in the forenoon and six in the afternoon.
Part IIE+W+S+N.I. Marriage according to Rites of the Church of EnglandAnnotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Modifications etc. (not altering text)C8Pt. II applied by Sharing of Church Buildings Act 1969 (c. 38), s. 6(2) PreliminaryE+W5 Methods of authorising marriages.E+WA 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 M1Ecclesiastical 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 [F12certificates] issued by a superintendent registrar under Part III of this Act [F13except that paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply in relation to the solemnization of any marriage mentioned in subsection (2) of section 1 of this Act.]
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F12Words in s. 5(d) substituted (1.1.2001) by 1999 c. 33, s. 169(1), Sch. 14 paras. 3, 5; S.I. 2000/2698, art. 2F13Words added by Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986 (c. 16, SIF 49:1), s. 1(4)(6), Sch. 1 para. 3Marginal CitationsM11533 c. 21. [F145A Marriages between certain persons related by affinity.E+WAnnotations:Annotations are used to give authority for changes and other effects on the legislation you are viewing and to convey editorial information. They appear at the foot of the relevant provision or under the associated heading. Annotations are categorised by annotation type, such as F-notes for textual amendments and I-notes for commencement information (a full list can be found in the Editorial Practice Guide). Each annotation is identified by a sequential reference number. For F-notes, M-notes and X-notes, the number also appears in bold superscript at the relevant location in the text. All annotations contain links to the affecting legislation.Amendments (Textual)F14S. 5A inserted by Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986 (c. 16, SIF 49:1), s. 3No clergyman shall be obliged—
(b)to permit such a marriage to be solemnized in the church or chapel of which he is the minister.]
Marriage by bannsE+W+S+N.I.6 Place of publication of banns.E+W(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act, where a marriage is intended to be solemnized after the publication of banns of matrimony, the banns shall be published—
(a)if the persons to be married reside in the same parish, in the parish church of that parish;
(b)if the persons to be married do not reside in the same parish, in the parish church of each parish in which one of them resides:
Provided that if either of the persons to be married resides in a chapelry or in a district specified in a licence granted under section twenty of this Act, the banns may be published in an authorised chapel of that chapelry or district instead of in the parish church of the parish in which that person resides.
(2)In relation to a person who resides in an extra-parochial place, the last foregoing subsection shall have effect as if for references to a parish there were substituted references to that extra-parochial place, and as if for references to a parish church there were substituted references to an authorised chapel of that place.
(3)For the purposes of this section, any parish in which there is no parish church or chapel belonging thereto or no church or chapel in which divine service is usually solemnized every Sunday, and any extra-parochial place which has no authorised chapel, shall be deemed to belong to any adjoining parish or chapelry.
(4)Banns of matrimony may be published in any parish church or authorised chapel which is the usual place of worship of the persons to be married or of one of them although neither of those persons resides in the parish or chapelry to which the church or chapel belongs:
Provided that the publication of banns by virtue of this subsection shall be in addition to and not in substitution for the publication of banns required by subsection (1) of this section.
7 Time and manner of publication of banns.E+W(1)Subject to the provisions of section nine of this Act, banns of matrimony shall be published on three Sundays preceding the solemnization of the marriage during morning service or, if there is no morning service on a Sunday on which the banns are to be published, during evening service.
(2)Banns of matrimony shall be published in an audible manner and in accordance with the form of words prescribed by the rubric prefixed to the office of matrimony in the Book of Common Prayer, and all the other rules prescribed by the said rubric concerning the publication of banns and the solemnization of matrimony shall, so far as they are consistent with the provisions of this Part of this Act, be duly observed.
(3)The parochial church council of a parish shall provide for every church and chapel in the parish in which marriages may be solemnized, a register book of banns made of durable materials and marked in the manner directed by section fifty-four of this Act for the register book of marriages, and all banns shall be published from the said register book of banns by the officiating clergyman, and not from loose papers, and after each publication the entry in the register book shall be signed by the officiating clergyman, or by some person under his direction.
(4)Any reference in the last foregoing subsection to a parochial church council shall, in relation to an authorised chapel in an extra-parochial place, be construed as a reference to the chapel warden or other officer exercising analogous duties in the chapel or, if there is no such officer, such person as may be appointed in that behalf by the bishop of the diocese.
8 Notice to clergyman before publication of banns.E+WNo clergyman shall be obliged to publish banns of matrimony unless the persons to be married, at least seven days before the date on which they wish the banns to be published for the first time, deliver or cause to be delivered to him a notice in writing, dated on the day on which it is so delivered, stating the christian name and surname and the place of residence of each of them, and the period during which each of them has resided at his or her place of residence.
9 Persons by whom banns may be published.E+W(1)Subject to the provisions of this section and of section fourteen of this Act, it shall not be lawful for any person other than a clergyman to publish banns of matrimony.
(2)Where on any Sunday in any church or other building in which banns of matrimony may be published a clergyman does not officiate at the service at which it is usual in that church or building to publish banns, the banns may be published—
(a)by a clergyman at some other service at which banns of matrimony may be published; or
(b)by a layman during the course of a public reading authorised by the bishop of the diocese of a portion or portions of the service of morning or evening prayer, the public reading being at the hour when the service at which it is usual to publish banns is commonly held or at such other hour as the bishop may authorise:
Provided that banns shall not be published by a layman unless the incumbent or minister in charge of the said church or building, or some other clergyman nominated in that behalf by the bishop, has made or authorised to be made the requisite entry in the register book of banns of the said church or building.
(3)Where a layman publishes banns of matrimony by virtue of this section the layman shall sign the register book of banns provided under section seven of this Act and for that purpose shall be deemed to be the officiating clergyman within the meaning of that section.
10 Publication of banns commenced in one church and completed in another.E(1)Where the publication of banns of matrimony has been duly commenced in any church, the publication may be completed in the same church or in any other church which, by virtue of the M2Union of Benefices Measure, 1923, or the M3New Parishes Measure, 1943, has at the time of the completion taken the place of the first-mentioned church for the purpose of publication of banns of matrimony either generally or in relation to the parties to the intended marriage.
(2)Where the publication of banns of matrimony has been duly commenced in any building which by virtue of a reorganisation scheme under the M4Reorganisation Areas Measure, 1944, ceases to be a parish church or, as the case may be, ceases to be licensed for marriages, the publication may be completed in such other building, being either a parish church or a building licensed for marriages, as may be directed by the bishop of the diocese to take the place of the first-mentioned building for the purposes of the publication of banns.
Annotations:Annotations are used to give authority for change