Hong Kong Ordinances

MARRIAGE REFORM ORDINANCE - SECT 8

Validation of modern marriage

Subject to section 14, every marriage celebrated in Hong Kong before the
appointed day as a modern marriage by a man and a woman each of whom, at the
time of the marriage, was not less than 16 years of age and was not married to
any other person shall be a valid marriage, and shall be deemed to have been
valid since the time of celebration, notwithstanding -

   (a)  that the proper personal law and religion of the parties, or one of
        them, was Chinese law and custom, and the marriage was prohibited by
        or failed to comply with the requirements of Chinese law and custom;
        or

   (b)  that the marriage was not under and in accordance with the
        Marriage Ordinance ( Cap 181).