Formal Validity of Marriage
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Formal validity of marriage refers to the formality requirements that must be met in order for a marriage to be considered valid under the law. These requirements vary from country to country, but typically include:
Notice of Marriage
Before getting married, both individuals must give notice of their intention to marry to their local registry office, which is typically done at least 28 days before the wedding date. The notice will be publicly displayed for a specified period, during which time anyone can raise an objection to the marriage.
Marriage Ceremony
The marriage ceremony in the UK can be performed by a civil registrar or a religious official who is authorised to conduct weddings. The ceremony must take place in a licensed venue, which can be a register office, a church or other religious building, or an approved venue such as a hotel or a stately home.
Marriage Certificate
After the ceremony, a marriage certificate is issued, which is a legal document that proves the marriage has taken place. The certificate is signed by both individuals, the registrar or religious official who performed the ceremony, and two witnesses.
Registration
The marriage must be registered with the local registry office within a specified time period (usually within 7 days of the ceremony).
If all of these formality requirements are met, the marriage is considered formally valid. This means that the marriage is recognised as legally binding and enforceable, and the parties have certain legal rights and responsibilities as a result of their marriage.