4. Marriages to be solemnized according to Act.—Every marriage between persons, one or both of
whom is 2
[or are] a Christian or Christians, shall be solemnized in accordance with the provisions of the
next following section; and any such marriage solemnized otherwise than in accordance with such
provisions shall be void.
5. Persons by whom marriages may be solemnized.—Marriages may be solemnized in 3
[India]—
(1) by any person who has received episcopal ordination, provided that the marriage be solemnized
according to the rules, rites, ceremonies and customs of the Church of which he is a Minister;
(2) by any Clergyman of the Church of Scotland, provided that such marriage be solemnized
according to the rules, rites, ceremonies and customs of the Church of Scotland;
(3) by any Minister of Religion licensed under this Act to solemnize marriages;
(4) by, or in the presence of, a Marriage Registrar appointed under this Act;
(5) by any person licensed under this Act to grant certificates of marriage between 4
[Indian
Christians].
5
[6. Grant and revocation of licenses to solemnize marriages.—The State Government, so far as
regards the territories under its administration, 6
*** may, by notification in the Official Gazette 7
** *,
grant licenses to Ministers of Religion to solemnize marriages within such territories 8
* * * and may, by a
a like notification revoke such licenses.]
7. Marriage Registrars.—The State Government may appoint one or more Christians, either by
name or as holding any office for the time being, to be the Marriage Registrar or Marriage Registrars for
any district subject to its administration.
Senior Marriage Registrar.—Where there are more Marriage Registrars than one in any district, the
State Government shall appoint one of them to be the Senior Marriage Registrar.
Magistrate when to be Marriage Registrar.—When there is only one Marriage Registrar in a
district, and such Registrar is absent from such district, or ill, or when his office is temporarily vacant, the
Magistrate of the district shall act as, and be, Marriage Registrar thereof during such absence, illness, or
temporary vacancy.
8. [Marriage Registrars in Indian States.]—Omitted by the A. O. 1950.
9. Licensing of persons to grant certificates of marriage between Indian Christians.—The State
Government 9
* * * may grant a license to any Christian, either by name or as holding any office for the
time being, authorizing him to grant certificates of marriage between 4
[Indian] Christians.
Any such license may be revoked by the authority by which it was granted, and every such grant or
revocation shall be notified in the Official Gazette.