Anyone contemplating marriage according to the usage of Friends should at an early stage apply to the registering officer of the area meeting in the area in which it is intended that the marriage should take place. Ideally this should be at least three months before the intended marriage, and it must be not less than six weeks beforehand, to give time for the necessary procedures to take place (see also 16.23-16.27 & 16.33). The couple must complete a declaration of intention of marriage (16.12-16.13 & 16.17). They must also fulfil all the legal requirements for a marriage, including obtaining the appropriate certificates from the registrars of the districts in which they live. Couples may consider the holding of a meeting for clearness as part of their preparation for marriage (16.19-16.21).
Those not in membership need to complete additional requirements, including a discussion with at least two members of the Society and perhaps through the holding of a meeting for clearness, to help the area meeting to assess whether there is sufficient unity of understanding, or association with the Society, to allow a marriage according to Quaker usage to go forward (see 16.13). (For the responsibility of overseers in this matter see 12.13.o.)
Next: 16.06
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