Overview

The Registration of Marriage Bill aims to modernize and simplify the process of registering marriages in England and Wales. It grants the Secretary of State and the Registrar General powers to create regulations streamlining marriage registration procedures, aiming for greater efficiency and consistency.

Description

This Bill gives the Secretary of State the power to create regulations governing marriage registration in England and Wales. This includes the ability to amend existing legislation, such as the Marriage Act 1949. Key changes involve:

• Simplifying documentation: Allowing a single document ("marriage schedule") to authorize Part 3 marriages instead of two certificates.
• Clergy documentation: Requiring clergy officiating at authorized marriages to issue a "marriage document" or ensure its issuance for registration purposes.
• Regulation of document handling: Establishing regulations for signing, delivering, and storing marriage schedules and documents, including potential penalties for non-compliance.
• Centralized register: Mandating the Registrar General to maintain a national marriage register.
• Registrar General's powers: Granting the Registrar General the power to create further regulations concerning document formats, corrections, and record-keeping, subject to the Secretary of State's approval.

Government Spending

The Bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The costs will likely arise from administrative changes to implement the new regulations and the potential need for updated IT systems to manage the new centralized register. No specific financial information is provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Registrars of marriages: Will have altered responsibilities under the new regulations.
• Clergy: Will be affected by the requirement to issue or ensure the issuance of marriage documents.
• Couples getting married: Will experience a potentially simplified marriage registration process.
• Registrar General's office: Will be responsible for maintaining the new national register.
• Those involved in record-keeping of marriages: Will need to adapt to new procedures and regulations concerning the storage and management of marriage records.

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