Registration of marriage
Provision for absence of registering officer
Should the registering officer be prevented through illness or absence from home or any other cause from issuing or signing the marriage forms in 16.12, he or she (or failing this the clerk of the area meeting) shall be at liberty to appoint any suitable Friend to act for him or her in these respects. It must be emphasised that this should not become a normal manner of proceeding.
If, in England and Wales, the registering officer should be prevented from being present at the solemnisation of the marriage, care shall be taken that the entries be, notwithstanding, duly made and signed by the parties and witnesses. The registering officer, having been satisfied of the regularity of the proceedings, shall afterwards add her or his signature: no person may sign the register in her or his place.
In Scotland, a deputy appointed as above may sign the statutory marriage schedule, and if it is known beforehand that this will be necessary the name of the deputy should be given to the district registrar who issues the schedule.
Next: 16.48
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