You must not be related to each other in a way that is forbidden forbidden by Law
Minimum Age
The minimum legal age for getting married is 16 years old. In Northern Ireland the written consent of the parents or Guardians is required for persons who have not reached 18 years old and have not been previously married. If either of the persons is below 18 a birth certificate must be produced. It is preferred that all persons produce such evidence.
Sex
It is a legal requirement in Northern Ireland (All the United Kingdom) that one partner must have been born a male and the other a female.
Consent
Both partners must be acting by their own consent.
Sound Mind
Both partners to be married must be of sufficiently sound mind to understand the nature of the marriage contract.
Second and subsequent marriages
There is no limit to the number of marriages you can enter into providing you are free to do so. That is you are widowed or have been divorced and granted a decree absolute. Evidence will be required to be produced i.e. original death certificate or divorce absolute certificate with the original court seal.(photocopies are not acceptable)
Procedure
There is less choice choice about where to marry in Northern Ireland, as it was excluded from the Marrige Act 1994 which allowed venues authorised by the local authority to be used for weddings.
The choice in Northern Ireland is between a civil ceremony which must take place in a register office of the district where one of the partners lives.
Civil marriages may only be conducted in a register office. Religious marriages may be conducted anywhere at the discretion of the authorised person.
The legal formalities
Notice of marriage can be given in one of two ways:
Registrar's Licence
If both partners live in the same registrar's district, one must have lived there for at least fifteen days and the other for at least seven days prior to notice is given to the registrar. If the partners live in different districts then notice must be given to both districts and both partners must have lived in their respective districts for more than fifteen days before notice is given.
The Registrar will issue the licence seven clear days after receiving notice.
Registrar's Certificate
The residency requirements are seven days for both partners in the case of both partners living in same district or in different districts.
The certificate will be issued after 21 clear days have elapsed.
Marriage/Wedding
~ Revd. Jonathan Blake (B.A. Honours, Dip Pastoral
Studies),
provides a Traditional or Modern Marriage Ceremony, Religious
or Secular, at any venue. Gardens, homes, hotels, chapels,
stately homes, marquees, cruisers, etc - every detail is your
choice.
For first marriages and divorcees. Based Kent - UK wide Ask for # 319
