Persons who may solemnise marriage

8 Persons who may solemnise marriage.

1

F1Subject to section 23A of this Act,a marriage may be solemnised by and only by—

a

a person who is—

i

a minister of the Church of Scotland; or

ii

a minister, clergyman, pastor, or priest of a religious body prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, or who, not being one of the foregoing, is recognised by a religious body so prescribed as entitled to solemnise marriages on its behalf; or

iii

registered under section 9 of this Act; or

iv

temporarily authorised under section 12 of this Act; or

b

a person who is a district registrar or assistant registrar appointed under section 17 of this Act.

2

In this Act—

a

any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above is referred to as an “approved celebrant”, and a marriage solemnised by an approved celebrant is referred to as a “religious marriage”;

b

any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above is referred to as an “authorised registrar”, and a marriage solemnised by an authorised registrar is referred to as a “civil marriage”.