The Act prescribes that the marriage officer solemnising the marriage notifies the marriage to BDM. This must be done within 14 days from the date of the marriage. Under this Act, births and deaths must be registered, and marriages notified to BDM must be registered. BDM has considerable legislative compliance powers. For example, failing to notify a birth or death by the date specified by the Registrar without reasonable excuse is an offence under the Act.