MARINE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY
Explanatory
PART VI
MARRIAGE REGISTRY
52. All marriages, except non-Christian customary marriages, are governed by the provisions of the Marriage Ordinance (Cap. 181), to which a number of important amendments were made by the Marriage (Amendment) Ordinance, 1960, which came into force on 1st February, 1960. Under the Ordinance as so amended, after a notice of intended marriage has been exhibited at the Registry for fifteen clear days, the Registrar issues a certificate which enables the marriage to be celebrated at a licensed place of worship, or contracted as a civil marriage before the Registrar. Where he is satisfied that there are special circumstances justifying his doing so, the Registrar may issue a certificate at any time within the fifteen days. Under Section 12 the Governor may, when he sees fit, grant a special licence dispensing with notice altogether or with the certificate of the Registrar or with both. Such licences are given only in very special circumstances.
53. Among the amendments made by the 1960 Ordinance are provi- sions extending the legal hours of Registry marriages to between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. instead of between 10 a.m, and 4 p.m. as formerly; introduc- ing a new form of address in the Registry ceremony omitting the former warning against bigamy; and enabling the Registry ceremony to be conducted wholly in Chinese. There is also an entirely new provision authorizing the Registrar to conduct joint marriages outside the Registry between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The object of this is to enable several couples to marry at some suitable place within their own district. This will make it possible for them, if they so desire, to combine in a joint tea or dinner party after the ceremony, with the result that the expense of getting married would be reduced all round.
54. There are two Registries at which notices of marriage may be given and civil marriages performed, namely the principal Registry in the Supreme Court Building in Hong Kong, and the Kowloon Registry, which is located on the third floor of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building, 664, Nathan Road, Mong Kok. By the end of the year, however, preparations were all but complete for the opening of six new Sub-Registries located in the Offices of the Kaifong Welfare Asso- ciations at Aberdeen and Shau Kei Wan, the Rural Committee Office
13