Commentary on Sections Part 4: Marriage and Civil Partnership Schedule 4: Referral of proposed marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales Notice period
268.Paragraph 10 amends the notice period in section 31 of the 1949 Act (marriage under certificate without licence) from 15 days to 28 days. Paragraph 10 also requires, for a proposed marriage referred to the Secretary of State under new section 28H, any application for a reduction in the notice period to be submitted to the Secretary of State and for the decision to be made by the Secretary of State and notified to the applicant and the superintendent registrar, in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Registrar General.