Section 22: Objections to marriage

22. Objections to marriage (1) Where, after publication of a proposed civil marriage, any person has any ground to object to the celebration of the marriage or is of the opinion that any provision of this Act or of any other enactment relating to the marriage is likely to be infringed, he may lodge with the Registrar of Civil Status a notice of objection to the proposed marriage. (2) Upon receipt of a notice of objection under subsection (1), the Registrar of Civil Status shall enquire into the matter and, after hearing the parties, make a decision upholding or rejecting the objection, and inform the parties accordingly. (3) Any party aggrieved by a decision of the Registrar of Civil Status under subsection (2) may, within a period not exceeding 30 days from the date on which he is informed of the decision, apply to the Judge in Chambers for an order to quash the decision. (4) Upon hearing an application under subsection (3), the Judge in Chambers shall make an order quashing or upholding the decision, or such other order as he may deem fit. C24 – 15 [Issue 1] Civil Status Act (5) An order under subsection (4) shall be transmitted to the Registrar of Civil Status who shall cause it to be entered in the appropriate register. (6) Where the proposed marriage may be celebrated in virtue of an order transmitted to the Registrar of Civil Status under subsection (5), the Registrar of Civil Status shall cause the marriage to be celebrated— (a) at such time as is convenient to the parties; and (b) without the parties having to make a fresh publication of their proposed marriage. [S. 22 amended by Act 22 of 1995.]