What does it mean?

The terminology relating to marriage isn’t always crystal clear, so we have put together a list of terms with their meanings to help you understand the different elements, and legal requirements.

Approved Premises

Under the Marriage Act 1994, civil marriages can be solemnised in approved premises (other than register offices). The Marriages & Civil Partnership (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005 allow for premises to be approved by a local authority for the solemnization of marriages and the formation of civil partnerships. These include hotels, stately homes and historic buildings.

Annual Reference Volume

ARVs are yearly publications produced by the Office for National Statistics on a variety of topics (for example, FM2 for marriage, divorce and adoption).

Annulment

An annulment of marriage occurs following a successful petition for nullity. It is a retroactive term that declares that the marriage itself is void from the outset and that no valid marriage ever existed or was voidable (ie it was legal at time of registration but is no longer legal.)

Authorised Person

An Authorised Person is appointed by the Registrar General to register marriages solemnised in a named registered building in a duplicate register.

Banns

A marriage in the Church of England or Church of Wales requires the publication of banns of marriage on three Sundays preceding it. Banns ask for public confirmation that the parties involved are legally eligible for marriage.

Civil Marriage

A civil marriage can take place at a register office or other buildings approved for civil marriage. The bride and bridegroom must personally give a formal notice of their intention to marry to the superintendent registrar of the district(s) where they have resided for the previous seven days. If either party is subject to immigration control then notice of marriage must be given at a designated register office. Both parties must attend together. There are 76 designated register offices in England and Wales.

Civil Partnership Dissolution

A dissolution of civil partnership occurs following the presentation of an application and the granting of a final order and ends a valid civil partnership. To obtain a civil partnership dissolution in the UK, a couple must have been in either a registered civil partnership or recognised foreign relationship for 12 months.

Civil Partnership

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005 in the UK, the first day couples could give notice of their intention to form a civil partnership. The Act enables same-sex couples aged 16 and over to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. The first day that couples could normally form a partnership was 19 December in Northern Ireland, 20 December in Scotland and 21 December in England and Wales.

Decree Absolute

Granted upon a dissolution of marriage following a petition for divorce, a decree absolute ends a valid marriage. See Dissolution.

Decree Nisi

Following the grounds for divorce being proven, the district judge grants a decree nisi as a provisional measure. Six weeks later the petitioner can apply for a decree absolute.

Decree of Nullity

Granted upon an annulment of marriage following a petition for nullity, a decree of nullity declares that the marriage itself is void and that no valid marriage ever existed. See Annulment.

Department of Constitutional Affairs

Prior to 9 May 2007, the DCA was responsible, among other things, for the Affairs (DCA) administration of the court system in England and Wales through the Court Service. See Her Majesty’s Court service.

Dissolution

A dissolution of marriage occurs following a successful petition for divorce and ends a valid marriage. Dissolution of marriage covers nullity and divorce. See Decree Absolute.

Facts Proven

A petitioner must prove one or more of five facts (adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, separation for two years or separation for five years, either with or without consent of the respondent) in order to establish the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

First Release

Once an annual dataset from a particular source such as marriage registration has been quality assured, its first publication is referred to as a First Release by the Office for National Statistics . This is accompanied by a news, or press release which details the main findings drawn from the data.

General Register Office (GRO)

The GRO (part of the Identity and Passport Service since 1 April 2008) is responsible for ensuring the registration of all births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships that have occurred in England and Wales and for maintaining a central archive.

Her Majesty’s Court Service

Her Majesty’s Court Service is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for the running of most of the courts and tribunals in England and Wales.
Her Majesty’s Court Service supplies information on divorces and adoptions to ONS.

Judicial Separation

This is an alternative to divorce and does not dissolve the marriage but absolves the parties from the obligation to live together. This procedure might, for instance, be used if religious beliefs forbid or discourage divorce.

Judicial and Court Statistics

This Annual Report of the Ministry of Justice shows statistics which relate to the criminal and civil business of those courts in England and Wales, including data on divorce and adoption.

Lord Chancellor’s Department

Prior to 12 June 2003 and constitutional reforms, the LCD was responsible for the administration of the court system in England and Wales through the Court Service.

Ministry of Justice

Following constitutional reforms, the Ministry of Justice was created on 9 May 2007 replacing the DCA. It is responsible, among other things, for the administration of the court system in England and Wales through the Court Service.

National Statistics Code of Practice

The principles and protocols followed and upheld by all those involved in producing National statistics.

Nuptiality

Collective term for marriage, separation, divorce, widowhood and remarriage which is commonly used by demographers to refer to the propensity of a population to get married.

ONS

Since 1 April 2008 the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority. OPCS Office of Population Censuses and Surveys – joined with Central Statistical Office in
1996 to become ONS.

Petitioner

The person seeking a dissolution or annulment.

Registrar

Local Authority employee responsible for the registration of births, deaths and marriages.

Registrar General

Statutory appointment with responsibility for the administration of the registration acts in England and Wales, and other related functions as specified by the relevant legislation.

Registration Officer

Generic term for registrar, superintendent registrar and additional registrars.

Registration Scheme

Organises the boundaries and specifies the name of registration districts within local
authorities.

Religious Marriage

Religious marriages can take place in Church of England or Church in Wales premises, as well as in other buildings registered for marriage which are certified as a place of worship. Religious marriages also include marriages solemnised according to the rites of the Society of Friends and those professing the Jewish religion.

Respondent

The person to whom a petition for divorce has been served.

Single Men/Women

Persons who have never been married or been in a civil partnership.

Solemnised Marriage

A marriage legally occurs upon solemnisation at a ceremony, either religious or civil, and must follow the completion of legal preliminaries.

Superintendent Registrar

Local Authority employee with responsibilities relating to marriage and other registration functions, as specified in the relevant legislation.

Sources:

Statistics.gov.uk