The area meeting is responsible for the appointment of a meeting for worship for the solemnisation of a marriage, directly or by giving permission to a local meeting (see 16.27). The registering officer, acting on behalf of the area meeting, is responsible for the acceptance of an application for marriage according to Friends' usage. He or she is also responsible for giving the parties the necessary advice and assistance in relation to the procedure under these regulations, for seeing that all the necessary steps preceding the marriage are completed, and, in England & Wales, but not Scotland, for the registration of the marriage. He or she should feel free to consult the area meeting clerk or some other knowledgeable Friend to check that the appropriate forms have been properly completed. Area meetings may also appoint from time to time two or three Friends whom the registering officer can consult in cases where he or she feels this necessary or desirable. A handbook for registering officers is available from the Recording Clerk.
All powers and duties given to the clerk of an area meeting or local meeting shall, in the case of her or his absence or incapacity, be exercised by the assistant or acting clerk of the same meeting.
Next: 16.12
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