Hong Kong Ordinances

MARRIAGE ORDINANCE - SECT 19

Celebration of marriage in licensed place of worship

(Past version on 01/07/1997).
(Past version on 30/06/1997).

PART 6

CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE, CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE AND VALIDITY OF MARRIAGE
(Added 23 of 2005 s. 46)

(1) Marriages may be celebrated in any licensed place of worship by any
competent minister of the church, denomination, or body to which such place of
worship belongs, and according to the rites or usages of marriage observed in
such church, denomination, or body, provided that the marriage is celebrated
with open doors, and (except in case of a special licence) between 7 a.m. and
7 p.m., and in the presence of 2 or more witnesses, besides the officiating
minister. (Amended 50 of 1911 s. 4; 51 of 1911 s. 4; 1 of 1960 s. 9)

(2) No minister shall celebrate any marriage until the parties deliver to him
the certificate of the Registrar or a special licence. (Amended 14 of 1926 s.
5; 20 of 1948 s. 4; 71 of 1999 s. 3; 23 of 2005 s. 47)