Press Releases
MARRIAGE LAW CHANGES IN NORTHERN IRELAND
The Church of Ireland today published an information leaflet and guidelines authorised by the Standing Committee for clergy in response to the changes in marriage law due to come into effect from 1st January 2004.
The guidelines explain the radical changes in provision for marriage contained in the new legislation. They also set out procedures relating to the new law for the Church of Ireland.
The issues covered include such things as where 'religious' marriages may be solemnized by Church of Ireland clergy and the manner in which such marriages are to be recorded for church purposes.
The document also explains the procedure for registering clergy of the Church of Ireland on the list of authorised officiants for the conduct of 'religious' marriages.
A special facility to be known as 'The Church of Ireland Marriage Office (Northern Ireland)' has been established in Church of Ireland House, Donegall Street, Belfast is to act as administrative support for the bishops in Northern Ireland in respect of their responsibilities under the new law. The registration of all authorised officiants will be processed through this office.
The new law requires couples wishing to marry to return a marriage notice form to the Registrar General a minimum of 14 days before the date of the intended marriage ceremony. In the case of a 'religious' marriage, that form must be countersigned by the cleric who is to conduct the ceremony and who has been duly registered as an authorised officiant. Temporary authorisation may be required if the cleric concerned is not included on the registered list.
The Rt Rev Alan Harper, Bishop of Connor explained that such temporary authorisation might be required, for example, by retired clergy or clergy from another jurisdiction.
He added: "It is the responsibility of the Registrar General to scrutinise the Marriage Notice to ensure that all is in order. The Registrar then issues a Marriage Schedule and that Schedule becomes the authority for the marriage ceremony to proceed."
The Church's existing responsibility for the issuing of licences, the calling of banns and the registration and certification of marriage is swept away by the new legislation. It becomes the responsibility of the newly married couple to return their Marriage Schedule, duly signed and witnessed, to the Registrar General within three days. The Registrar then issues the legal Certificate of Marriage.
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax: (028) 9032 3554
Email:The Press Office