FOREIGN MARRIAGE ORDINANCE

FOREIGN MARRIAGE ORDINANCE

LAWS OF HONG KONG

FOREIGN MARRIAGE ORDINANCE

CHAPTER 180





CHAPTER 180

FOREIGN MARRIAGE

To give effect to an Order in Council of the 12th clay of March 1903, relating to
the marriages of Commonwealth citizens in foreign countries,

(Amended, 51 of 1911; 13 of 1912, Schedule and 80 of
1982, s. 2)

[17 July 1903.1

WHEREAS His Majesty the King, by virtue of the authority vested in
him by the Foreign Marriage Act, 1892, and with the advice of His
Privy Council, has been pleased, by an Order in Council dated the
12th day of March 1903, to order that certain modifications of the
requirements of the said Act as to residence and notice shall have
effect in cases where one only of the parties has dwelt within the
district of the marriage officer mentioned in the said Act and the
other of such parties has dwelt in a Colony, provided that the law
of such Colony shall give effect to such Order in Council:

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to give effect within Hong Kong to such
Order in Council: (Amended, 68 of 1984, s. 2)

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Foreign Marriage Ordinance.

(Amended, 5 of 1924, s. 6)

2. Notice of a marriage intended to be solemnized under the
Foreign Marriage Act, 1892, may be given in writing signed by the party
giving such notice to the Registrar of Marriages by one of the parties
intending such marriage who has had his or her usual place of abode in
Hong Kong for one week immediately preceding such notice.

(Amended, 7 of 1914, s. 2; 5 of 1924, s. 10; 14 of 1926, s. 5 and 68 of
1984, s. 3)

3. Before the issue of such certificate or licence as hereinafter
mentioned, the said party shall appear personally before the Registrar of
Marriages, and shall make affidavit, which the Registrar is hereby
authorized to take, that he or she believes there is not any impediment
or objection which should obstruct the solemnization of the marriage.

(Amended, 5 of 1924, s. 10 and 14 of 1926, s. 5)

4. The Registrar shall file every such notice as aforesaid in his
office, and shall, unless such notice has been published by
proclamation of banns, exhibit one copy thereof at his office, and may if
he thinks fit exhibit copies in other conspicuous places open to the

See S.I. 1964 No. 926.





public, and shall enter a copy of the said notice with the date of such
entry in the marriage notice book kept under the Marriage Ordinance,
and shall allow any person to inspect such book during office hours
without fee.

(Amended, 5 of 1924 s. 10 and 14 of 1926, s. 5)

5. At any time not less than 15 days (except when the Governor
shall grant a licence as hereinafter provided) after the giving of such
notice, the Registrar unless he is aware of any impediment or objection
which should obstruct the solemnization of the marriage, shall, on
payment by the party giving such notice of a fee of $5. give to such
party a certificate that the said notice has been given and published as
aforesaid.

(Amended, 5 of 1924 s. 10; 14 of 1926 s. 5 and 68 of 1984 s. 4)

6. At any time after the giving of such notice the Governor. unless
he is aware of any impediment or objection which should obstruct the
solemnization of the marriage, may grant a licence authorizing the
Registrar of Marriages to issue his certificate on or after any day named
in such licence. The fee for such licence shall be $70.

(Amended, 5 of 1924, s. 10; 14 of 1926, s. 5; 16 of 1947, s. 2;
68 of 1984, s. 5 and 52 qf 1986, s. 2)

7. The Legislative Council may by resolution vary the amount of
any fee specified in this Ordinance.

(Added, 52 of 1986, s, 3)
Originally 6 of 1903. (Cap. 180. 1950 Ed.) 51 of 1911. 13 of 1912. 7 of 1914. 14 of 1926. 16 of 1947. 80 of 1982. 68 of 1984. 52 of 1986. Preamble. (1892 c. 23, s. 21) (S.R. & O. 1903 No. 215*.) Short title. Notice of intended marriage. (1892 c. 23.) Affidavit before issue of certificate or licence. Notice to be filed, etc., by Registrar of Marriages. (Cap. 181.) Certificate by Registrar of Marriages. Governor's licence. Power to alter fees.

Originally 6 of 1903. (Cap. 180. 1950 Ed.) 51 of 1911. 13 of 1912. 7 of 1914. 14 of 1926. 16 of 1947. 80 of 1982. 68 of 1984. 52 of 1986. Preamble. (1892 c. 23, s. 21) (S.R. & O. 1903 No. 215*.) Short title. Notice of intended marriage. (1892 c. 23.) Affidavit before issue of certificate or licence. Notice to be filed, etc., by Registrar of Marriages. (Cap. 181.) Certificate by Registrar of Marriages. Governor's licence. Power to alter fees.

https://oelawhk.lib.hku.hk/items/show/2786

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