J
4
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1975
MARRIAGE FEES TO BE REVISED
*****
CERTAIN FEES CHARGED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT UNDER THE MARRIAGE ORDINANCE ARE TO BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE REVISED CHARGES WILL MEAN THAT A COUPLE WILL, IN FUTURE, PAY $100 INSTEAD OF $60 FOR A MARRIAGE. THE FEE FOR FILING AND EXHIBITION OF NOTICE OF MARRIAGE WILL BE INCREASED BY $10 TO $20 WHILE THE FEE FOR A MARRIAGE AT THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE WILL BE INCREASED BY $30 TO $80.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER INCREASES WHICH WILL NOT NORMALLY AFFECT A COUPLE GETTING MARRIED,
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY THAT THE REASON FOR DELAYING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INCREASED MARRIAGE FEES TO NOVEMBER 1, IS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY
GIVEN NOTICE OF MARRIAGE (THAT IS, BEFORE, AUGUST 1) WILL ONLY HAVE TO PAY THE MARRIAGE FEE OF $50 WHICH WAS IN FORCE AT THE DATE ON WHICH THEY GAVE NOTICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON FEES IS. THAT, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THEY SHOULD BE AT LEAST SUFFICIENT TO RECOVER COSTS.
THE DEFICIT FOR THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY IN 1975/76 IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $1.25 MILLION AND WITH THE INCREASES TO BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM NOVEMBER 1, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THEY WILL PRODUCE REVENUE SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE COST OF RUNNING THE REGISTRY.
15