- New electronic system to modernise the way marriages are
registered
- Changes enable the names of both parents of the couple to be
included on marriage certificates, instead of only their fathers
- Digital system will help support the pent-up demand of
marriages, making the registration process quicker and easier
Major changes to the way marriages in England and Wales are
registered are being introduced to help modernise the system.
From today (May 4), a single electronic marriage register will be
created to make the system simpler and more efficient.
It will also correct a historic anomaly to allow for the names of
both parents of the couple to be included in the marriage entry
and on marriage certificates for the first time, instead of only
their fathers’ names.
These regulations to amend the Marriage Act marks the biggest
changes to the marriage registration system since 1837.
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration said:
“When Hazel and I got married in 2017, my Dad and Hazel’s Mum
shared the day with us, but sadly my Mum and Hazel’s Dad could
not be with us, both having passed away beforehand. Whilst
Hazel’s Dad could still be part of the day by being listed on our
marriage certificate, one was missing, my Mum.
“These changes bring the registration process into the
21st century and means no parent will be missing on
their child’s wedding day.”
Marriages are currently registered by the couple signing a
register book, which is held at each register office, in churches
and chapels, and at religious premises registered for marriage.
Creating a single electronic marriage register will save time and
money and is a more secure system, eliminating the need for data
to be extracted from hard copies.
The changes have been made in consultation with stakeholders,
such as the Church of England.
The Reverend Dr Malcolm Brown, Director of Mission and
Public Affairs for the Church of England, said:
“We are very pleased that the marriage registration system can
now include the names of mothers as well as fathers on registers.
“Changing practices that go back many years is never
straightforward, but we believe the new system changes as little
as possible in terms of the couple’s experience of their church
wedding and that the clergy will find the new regulations become
second nature very quickly.”
As per the Government’s roadmap, weddings can currently take
place with up to 15 attendees in premises that are permitted to
open.
ENDS
Note to editors
- For more information contact the Home Office Press Office on
0300 123 3535
- The electronic register will allow for the names of both
parents of the couple to be included in the marriage entry and on
marriage certificates.
- The marriage registration process is:
-
- The couple sign a ‘marriage schedule’ at their marriage
ceremony instead of signing a ‘paper’ marriage register book.
- For all marriages taking place, other than in the Church
of England or Church in Wales, the superintendent registrar
in the district in which the marriage is to be solemnised
will issue one marriage schedule for the couple to be signed
at the marriage ceremony.
- For marriages taking place in the Church of England or
Church in Wales following ecclesiastical preliminaries the
member of the clergy will issue a 'marriage document' similar
to the schedule issued by the superintendent registrar.
- The marriage schedule or marriage document will contain
all the information to be entered into the marriage register.
At the marriage ceremony it will be signed by the couple,
their witnesses and the person(s) officiating at the
marriage.
- The signed marriage schedule or marriage document will
then be returned to the register office by the person
officiating at the marriage ceremony, to be registered in the
electronic marriage register by a registrar. A marriage
certificate can then be issued to the couple.
