Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties involved in getting the necessary paper work ready in order to get married and the delays that are being caused as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17247/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have been advised by the Registrar General that the position is as set out below.

Following commencement of the provisions of the Civil Registration Act, 2004 on 5 November, 2007, new processes and procedures were put in place to provide a universal system that recognises and underpins marriage as a solemn contract, and to streamline procedures to provide clarity on the formalities to be observed.

Section 46 of the Act requires that, save in exceptional circumstances, couples intending to marry in the state attend at the office of the registrar in person to give notification of intention to marry at least three months in advance of the intended marriage date, and to sign a declaration that there is no impediment to the marriage. This provision also gives the registrar authority to request documentary evidence from each of the parties in relation to the verification of identity, current marital status, nationality etc. Additional documentation may be required, for example, where either or both of the parties to the proposed marriage has had a divorce granted outside the state so that it can be determined whether it is entitled to recognition under Irish law.

Documentary evidence may also be required for the purposes of establishing the domicile of the parties to the divorce. Any delay in the provision of the requested documentation inevitably delays a decision by the registrar on whether the couple are free to marry.

Registrars are acutely aware of the need to provide full and clear information as to documentary and other evidential requirements. When couples make initial contact with a registrar, the requirements relating to documentation and procedures are explained.

Section 48 of the Act provides for the issue of a Marriage Registration Form (MRF), without which no marriage may be legally solemnised. In essence, this form constitutes the approval of the registrar to the marriage proceeding. An MRF will be issued only when the registrar is satisfied that all the statutory requirements for a valid marriage have been met.

The new procedures have been well advertised and seminars were held around the country for religious solemnisers in the weeks preceding the commencement of the provisions. Comprehensive guidelines have been published for religious solemnisers and couples intending to marry. The guidelines may be obtained from any registrar or downloaded from the General Register Office website at www.groireland.ie.

The Deputy will appreciate that, owing to the constitutional and legal implications of marriage, all reasonable measures must be taken to protect the integrity of marriage and to ensure the international acceptability of certificates of marriage produced by this country as evidence of a valid marriage.