The Consular Marriages and Marriages under Foreign Law Order 2014

Solemnization of marriage

9.—(1) After the 14 day period in article 4(5) has elapsed, if no impediment to the marriage has been shown to the registration officer to whom the notice of the proposed marriage was given under article 4 and the conditions in paragraph 1(2) of the Act are fulfilled, the marriage may be solemnized.

(2) Every marriage must be solemnized in consular premises, with open doors, in the presence of two or more witnesses, none of whom may be the registration officer in whose presence the marriage is solemnized.

(3) Where it would otherwise not be stated or indicated in the course of the ceremony that neither of the parties knows of any lawful impediment to their marriage, then, in some part of the ceremony and in the presence of the registration officer and witnesses, each of the parties is to declare “I solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I A.B. (or C.D.) may not be joined in matrimony to C.D. (or A.B.).”

(4) As an alternative to the declaration set out in paragraph (3) the persons contracting the marriage may make the requisite declaration either—

(a)by saying “I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (name) may not be joined in marriage to (name)”; or

(b)by replying “I am” to the question put to them successively “Are you (name) free lawfully to marry (name)?”.

(5) Where it would otherwise not be stated by each of the parties in the course of the ceremony that they take the other person as husband or wife then, in some part of the ceremony and in the presence of the registration officer and witnesses, each of the parties is to say to the other “I call upon these persons here persons here present to witness that I A.B. (or C.D.) take thee C.D. (or A.B.) to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband).”

(6) As an alternative to the words of the contract set out in paragraph (5) the persons to be married may say to each other “I (name) take you (or thee) (name) to be my wedded wife (or husband).”

(7) A certificate of the Secretary of State as to any place being, or being part of, consular premises is conclusive.