Overview

This bill amends the Marriage Act 1949 to ensure all religious marriages in England and Wales are conducted under the authority of a superintendent registrar. This means a registrar will oversee the legal aspects of all religious marriage ceremonies, regardless of the specific faith involved.

Description

The bill makes several key changes to the Marriage Act 1949:

• Inclusion of all religious marriages: It adds a clause to explicitly include all religious marriages, even those not already specified in the Act, under the umbrella of requiring a superintendent registrar's authority.
• Registration of marriages: The bill alters the registration process to include all religious marriage celebrants in the official recording of marriages. The registrar will oversee the submission of all marriage documentation.
• Responsibilities of celebrants: It clarifies the responsibilities of those officiating at religious marriages, ensuring they comply with legal registration requirements.
• Penalties for non-compliance: The bill strengthens penalties for those who knowingly and wilfully perform marriages that are not legally registered, increasing the potential punishment.

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to have a significant impact on government spending. The administrative costs associated with the changes to the registration process are expected to be minimal.

Groups Affected

• Religious organisations: Will need to adapt their marriage procedures to ensure compliance with the requirement for a superintendent registrar's authority.
• Marriage celebrants: Will have additional responsibilities regarding registration and adherence to legal requirements.
• Couples getting married: Will experience a slightly altered marriage process with the increased involvement of the superintendent registrar.
• Government agencies: Will have the responsibility of ensuring the changes outlined in this Act are implemented and monitored effectively.

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