Marriage Act, 1961 (Act No. 25 of 1961)11. Unauthorized solemnization of marriage ceremonies forbidden |
| (1) | A marriage may be solemnized by a marriage officer only. |
| (2) | Any marriage officer who purports to solemnize a marriage which he is not authorized under this Act to solemnize or which to his knowledge is legally prohibited, and any person not being a marriage officer who purports to solemnize a marriage, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding four hundred rand or, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment. |
| (3) | Nothing in sub-section (2) contained shall apply to any marriage ceremony solemnized in accordance with the rites or formularies of any religion, if such ceremony does not purport to effect a valid marriage. |